Syeda Amtul Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Famous Urdu poets from different Indian states mesmerized the Indian expatriate community at an annual Mushaira (poetry recital) event organized by the Consulate General of India here on Thursday night. The vibrant colors of Ghazal, the traditional genre of Urdu poetry, were on full display for a crowd of over 2,000 Urdu poetry lovers. The event was held to support Indian Pilgrims Welfare Forum (IPWF) Chief Guest Hamid Ali Rao, Indian Ambassador to the Kingdom, briefly talked about the importance and sweetness of the Urdu language. Ambassador Rao expressed his gratitude to Urdu lovers that has kept the language alive and hoped that the event would prove successful. Consul-General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai also addressed the gathering and said funds raised by the Mushaira will go to the IPWF funds to assist and help Indian pilgrims. Kidwai also took advantage of the event to advise all Indian nationals to avail the amnesty extension and legalize their stay in the Kingdom. He also thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque King Abdullah and all Saudi ministries for their help and support during the amnesty period. After the traditional lighting of the shama (candle), the evening began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Qur'an followed by an introduction of all 12 guest poets by Irshad Ahmed, press information and culture consul. A heart touching naat was presented by Tabish Mehdi from Delhi. A doyen of Urdu poetry, he is invited to almost all international Mushairas. It is his simplicity and melodious voice that enchants all. “Paye Zikr-e-Nabi mein lub jo kholon Zuban ko mushk say amber say dholon Madinay jub kisi ko jatay dekha Yeh ji chaha usi kay saath main holon” Young female poet Rukhsaar Balrampuri from Balrampur was the first poet of the evening who warmed the hearts of the audience with her sentimental feminine couplets. The passion and pain in her poetry was appreciated by poetry lovers. “Door kardeti hain teergi betiya Ghar main laati hain roshni betiya Ab na beti ki izzat say khailay koi Hain isi mulk main aap ki betiya Phir na dilli key jaisa kahin aur ho phir na zinda jalay aap ki betiya” Mohsin Jalgawi, editor of Etemad daily in India, captured current social issues that are rampant in the society in his thought-provoking verses. “Riwait ki rawadari buhut hai Yahan rishtoon ki bimari buhut hai Buhut hi toot ker milti hai duniya Magar us main adakari buhut hai Kahin pehchan main dhoka na khana Shbahat ki riyakari buhut hai” Tabish Mehdi, once again took centerstage following the rendering of the naat, with his incisive couplets, which were highly appreciated by the audience. Tabish's penchant for issues was evident by his penning of his couplets. “Tujh say hi subah munawwar hai, Sham roshan hai Teray hi dum say jahan ka nizam roshan hai Na karrofar na koi taam jham rakhtay hain Hum ahle-dil hain miyan dil say kaam rkhtay hain” The spotlight then turned to Sikander Hayat Gadbad, a poet whose humorous compositions were greeted with applause and laughter. “Kisi ka husn akhir jaan ka dushman ho bhi sakta hai Tumharay jail Janay ka yeh kaaran ho bhi sakta hai Meray beton haseeno say zara tum door hi rehna Yeh angrezi dawa hai reaction ho bhi sakta hai" Agha Sarosh proved his mastery over ghazal "Khammoshiyou kay nagar say sada kub ayegi Udar say phir koi taza hawa kub ayegi Meray labon ko kaafi hai boond bher barish Nadi ki piyas bhujanay ghataien kub ayegi Fiza main itni ghtan hai ke aaj ghabra ker Chiragh pooch rahay hain hawa kub ayegi” Waseem Malik from Surat, Gujarat, captured social issues with his verses and was well received by the audience. “Saron pe saya-e-rehmat rahe to acha hai Buzrg ped salamat rahay to acha hai Mehktay phool say rishton kay sath chalna hai Mujhay to apnay buzrgon kay saath chalna hai Main aaj bacchoon ki ungli pakad kay niklonga Mujhay zameen pe farishtoon kay rehna hai” Iqbal Ashhar from Delhi mesmerized the audience with verses that touched on realism. “Yeh jugnowo ki qiyadat main chalnay walay log Thay kal chirag ki manind jalnay walay log Hamain bhi waqat nay pathar sifat banadala Hamien thay mom ki soorat pighalnay walay log” His other couplets were also highly appreciated by the audience. “Us ki khushbo meri ghazlon main simat aye hai Naam ka naam hai ruswai ki ruswai hai” He presented his famous ghazal on public demand and a nazm which made evident to all the richness and sweetness of the Urdu language. Mohsin Jalgawi who has authored several books, released his latest book during the event. Nikhat Amrohi another female poet, struck a chord with the audience on the condition of Indian society. “Aik mamoli say mazdor ki beti hoon main Mujhko bigday huway halat say dar lagta hai Log sasural main bahoonwo ki jala detay hain Bus yehi soonch kay barat say dar lagta hai” Her couplet was much appreciated and she presented it twice as there were cries of encore from the public. “Khushi kay khawab ko taabeer main dhala hai Main wo beti hoon jis say maan kay angan main ujala hai Nahi samjha hai kuch farq betay aur beti main Meray maanbaap nay mujh ko buhut naazon say pala hai” Nazim-e-mushiara was Nadeem Farrrokh, his poetry mapped the soul's unique journey through life. “Subah magroor ko wo sham bhi kardeta hai Shuhratien cheen kar gumnaam bhi kardeta hai Waqt say aankh milany ki himaqat na karo Waqt insaan ko nilaam bhi kardeta hai Wo pathraiye si ankhon main bhi kajal bhej deta hai Sulagti dopaher main jaisay badal bhej deta hai Jahan walay usay jub yaad karna bhool jatay hain Zameenon ki tahon main koi halchal bhej deta hai” Naeem Akhter Qadri Burhanpuri from Burhanpur highlighted some social issues in his verses. “Na ab soya na jaga jara ha hai Tera gham hai ke badhta jaraha hai Hum apnay aap main sooraj hain phir bhi Andhera hum main dhoonda jar aha hai Zamany pe bharoosa karnay walo Bharoosay ka zamana jaraha hai” Jalees Sherwani who is a writer in the Indian film industry captured the heart of the audience with his religious couplets. “Aagaz say behtar hai wo anjaam diya hai Qur'an ki surat main jo inaam diya hai Kiya kiya nahi khalqat ko mila rubb-e-ola say Ahsan hai uska hamien islam diya hai Karlay agar yaqeen rasalat-e-maab main Beshak milayga aap ko paani sarab main” Prof. Wasim Bareilvi chairman NCPUL (National Council for Promotion of Urdu language) in India presented the true color of ghazal, which is romance in. “Subhao phool jaisa hosla guldaan jaisa Yeh urdu hai ke jis dil bhi hindustaan jaisa Aap naraz hoon, roothay ya khafa hojaye Baat itni bhi na bigday ke juda hojaye Meri nazroon ko baratna koi tujh say sikhay Jitna main dekh sako utna nazar aata hai” Earlier, Prof. Bareilvi thanked the audience and organizers for making the event a success. “This successful historical Mushiara confirms a bright future for Urdu language,” he was quoted as saying.
