DHAHRAN — A galaxy of poets from India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Canada and the United States mesmerized a lively and receptive audience of Urdu-loving expatriates from the subcontinent here recently.
The poetic evening (Mushaira), organized by Dhahran Poetry Group (DPG), a socio-cultural organization under the ambit of Saudi Aramco, was a different affair altogether. Against the traditional ambiance associated with the Mushairas around the world, the evening was characterized by the attendance of about 300 people sitting on round tables munching the choicest of dry fruits, snacks beverages and nuts while listening and appreciating the recitation of the poetry by various poets.
The grand evening was the brainchild of DPG board president Adil Mustafa and secretary Syed Nadeem. The program was anchored by Naveeda Hasan Abidi, who in her unique style kept the Urdu enthusiasts sell-bound all the way.
The poetic event, presided over by legendary poet Dr. Naeem Hamid Ali-Al-Hamid, the Kingdom's first recognized Urdu poet and founder of Naeem Urdu Research Urdu Library. The library comprises of rarest research periodicals and about 1,400 books. Naeem Hamid was conferred a degree in doctorate doctorate for his 20 years of research work on Bedil, the 17th century Islamic Persian poet. Mirza Ghalib and Allama Iqbal, the great poets from the subcontinent, were inspired by Bedil. Naeem Hamid had also contributed in rendering selfless services for promotion of Urdu literature for about five decades.
He was his usual best with his knowledge of current affairs that his forte and did not disappoint the audience when persuaded to romanticize the atmosphere. Here are some couplets:
Dast-e-qudrat ka shahkaar ho tum Rang ho, noor ho, bahaar ho tum.
(You are a symbol of the Almighty's art, you are color, you are light and you are a spring.)
His last couplet of a poem thrilled the audience.
Daulat-e-husn ki zakat hee do; tum pay wajib hai maaldar ho tum (Pay zakat for the beauty you have, it is incumbent upon you as you are rich)
Dr. Pirzada Qasim, chancellor Ziauddin University and former vice chancellor Karachi University, a great scientist and internationally acclaimed poetic genius, presented his poems full of thoughts. He was accorded a standing ovation. Dr. Qasim was in his astute philosophical best and fascinated the audience.
Dr. Nausha Asrar (USA), a distinguished Aligarian, elaborated Qur'an and science in a very lucid and thought-provoking manner.
Similarly, the melodious voice of Manzar Bhopali (India) hypnotized the audience which cheered his every word.
Amongst the local poets, Saquib Jaunpuri, Shaukat Jamal and Qudasia Lali were widely appreciated.
Dr. Wajahat Farooqui, an eminent Aligarian and a promoter of Urdu, presented a bouquet and a shawl to Adil Mustafa and Dr. Naeem Hamid on behalf of AMU Old Boys and Shameem Jaipuri Memorial Society.
