The All India Mushaira (symposium of Urdu poetry) came to Chennai after a long gap. The forum of self expression found many admirers who came in search of literary entertainment on a serene night. It was a soulful display.
Various forms of poetry were employed including the popular Mazahiya (humorous) mushaira. There was a range of topics with some poets alternating between the sublime and mundane. Describing their thoughts in a beautiful language, they kept the audience in raptures.
The anchor (Anwar Jalalpuri) invited the poets (17 in number) to recite by turn and the most admired Waseem Barelvi (award winning poet) was the last to perform. But with time running out, he could not do justice to his classical ghazals.
Abrar Kashif got a standing ovation and encouraging calls of ‘wah wah’ as every couplet of his on Urdu language and literature was appreciated. Jowhar Kanpuri and Majid Deobandi shared their pet values and interests with the appropriate inflection, reflecting on social issues. Nayeem Akthar Khadmi lived upto his reputation of Shayer-e-Tarannum with his riotous splash of verses.
Urdu Sahitya award winner Manzar Bhopali, Ashok Sahil, Azeez Belgami and Hamid Baaqri dealt with contemporary and cultural issues.
There was a mix of the ancient and modern, uniqueness and diversity in all the works.
Proceeding at a leisurely pace, the recitals were sometimes free and unconventional. Just when the audience was getting into a sublime mood, international humourist Sundar Malgaon, Shaik Nizami Jabalpuri, Moin Amar Bamboo and Shadab Bedharak began to regale them with their witty lines.
Though not a regular part of the culture in Tamil Nadu, it was an enjoyable experience. The poets considered themselves fortunate that they could perform at a place where the Father of Urdu poetry, Allama Iqbal, had given his renditions decades ago. Paeans were said in praise of the organiser Anjuman-e-Himayath-e-Islam, which chose mushaira as part of its 125th year celebration.
Picking up local influences, select poems were recited by the host poets Ubaidur Rahman Ehsaas (philosophy), Aleem Saba Navidi and Hasan Fayaz, who brought to light some prominent issues and talked of the dreams ahead and of territories unimagined.
Standing on the brink of a technological revolution that is altering tradition and culture, there were doubts whether there would be any takers for this kind of event. But the big turnout proved that Urdu is not dead and its lovers are still around. Special thanks should go to A. Mohammed Ashraf, Chairman, Mushaira Committee for keeping the tradition alive. “Just see how it is still held in awe,” said some officials, while crediting T.Rafeeq Ahmed and G.S.K.Masood, president and secretary of AHI, for hosting an event of this magnitude.
Poet Ubaidur Rahman Ehsaas, who has organised many mushairas, took pride in the event’s success. Among the dignitaries present was the Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali.
