AL-KHOBAR — It was an exceptional treat for the Urdu lovers of the Eastern Province at an international poetic event that was held at Aziziyah Entertainment Center in Al-Khobar recently. Several internationally acclaimed poets enthralled the large audience and kept them mesmerized with their poems until the wee hours of the next day. The Human Abilities Development and Advancement Foundation (HADAF), an active social organization, organized the mega literary event (2nd International Mushaira) in the loving memory of renowned poet, Sir Mohammed Iqbal, also known as the poet of the East and the Poet of Humanity. It was for the first time, the Eastern Province witnessed a Mushaira with a beautiful blend of poets from diverse cultures and regions presenting their work. Each one has a different theme, different tone and different style of rendition, which regaled the audience and kept them in awe until the end. Urdu is considered to be a true Indian language representing unity in diversity. HADAF in the same spirit of unity in diversity invited poets from different milieus to reflect the true Indian culture and ethos. Sagar Tripathi's presence reflected true Indian-ness of the language and proved that Urdu cannot be restricted to one religion, culture or community. Tripathi won hearts with his love and reverence for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Though not living in the realms of Islam, he has written a few poems (Hamd) eulogizing the greatness of Allah and several poems in praise of the persona of the Prophet. He recited some couplets and quartets from those poems to the absolute delight of the audience.
In his Praise for the Almighty, he said: “Naam say uskay kar rahaa hoon shuroo Woh joh khaaliq hai, shaan waala hai Zeb deti hai kibrayi jissay Jo badi aan baan walaa hai” {I start with the name of the Creator of very high esteem The One Who deserves all supreme greatness} “Duniya ko raushan karay aftab mashour Bas Malik say paa gaya zarre bhar kaa noor” {The sun lightens up the entire world Has just got a very tiny particle of His Light} He then recited a quartet (Rubayi'e) in praise of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): “Roshini kay ameen hain aaqa Roohay maahay mubeen hain aaqa Sirf ek qaum kay nahi hai woh Rahmatay alaameen hain aaqa” {The One Who is trustee of the light The one who is like full moon's light He does not belong to just one nation He is Rahmat Lill Alaameen for all nations} With the protection of Urdu language in focus, he resonated the feelings of the Urdu lovers: “Hur ek lafz say kaanon may shahad ghoull gaya Yeh kaun hai jo urdu zubaan bol gaya” {With every word, someone had sweetened our ears Who was he who talked in Urdu language} “Mohabbat chodiye, takrar mein bhi lutf aataa hai Agar takraar bhi urdu zubaan may ho saleeqay say” {Forget love, even the bickering gives pleasure If that happens in Urdu language} With a few couplets of satire on people's greed and ego, he won plaudits: “Bass dukan kay kholtay hi jhoot saaray bikk gaye Ek tanha sach liye mein shaam tak baithaa raha” {With the opening of store, all lies were sold out I was left with one truth till the end of the day} Dr. Nausha Asrar, a Houston-based scientist who had spent some part of his life in Dammam, traveled all the way from the US for a day to recite his poems at the event. Dr. Asrar is known in the Urdu literary world as a poet who writes and recites poem with a superb flow: “Jab lahoo aankhoun say chalke toh ghazal hoti hai Aur dil may armaan koi jaagey toh ghazal hoti hai” {When the blood spills through the eye, you get a true poem And when desires in your heart are awakened, you get a true poem} Reiterating the importance of human over any other thing, including the sun and moon, he said: “Chand say ayay mahwish yun hi agar milti rahi Dekhna yeh chaandni insaan hoti jayegi” {If the beauty keeps meeting the full moon You see, the moonlight will keep becoming a human} Talking on the importance of the language, he recited: “Deejiye apni zubaan se apne fann ka saboot Warna apne ghar mein mehmaan hoti jayegi” {Use your language in giving the evidence of your art Lest the language will keep becoming a guest in your own house} His poems always carry a message and inspiration. He exhorted: “Aap suraj say yun hi nazrain milatey jaiye Raftaa raftaa dhoop saibaan hoti jaayegi” {You keep having eye contact with the Sun The hot sunrays will become shade for you} He read a couplet as a tribute to the laborers who shed their sweat in the hot sun. “Jo bahatay hain lahu apnaa paseeney ki tarha Iss jahaan ko sajaatey hain nageenon ki tarha” {The ones who let their blood flow like sweat Decorate this world with diamonds} The Mushaira peaked when Professor Anwer Masood, a living legend of Urdu poetry from Pakistan, took over and kept regaling the audience for over 40 minutes. The unique character of the well-respected and venerated poet is his ability to convey the message through both humor and serious poetry. If the hall was lit with laughter at some of his rendition, the audience was equally moved on emotional content of some of his poems. In his satirical style, he started: “Urdu se ho kyuun bezaar; English se kyuon itna pyaar Chodo bhi yeh rattaa yaar, twinkle twinkle little star” {Why are you so bored with Urdu and showering that much of love to English Stop repeating: twinkle twinkle little star} Expressing his desire to seek the pleasure of Allah: “Abb kahaan aur kissi cheez ki chaah rakhi hai Dil mein ek teri tamanna basaa rakhi hai” {Where do have I any other desire I have just the desire to have your pleasure} Complaining about the indifference to his love: “Dil sulagtaa hai tere sard rawiyye se mera Dekh iss barf ne kya aag lagaa rakhi hai” {My heart burns from your cold attitude See, your coldness has inflamed my passion} On introspection, he asked: “Aaina dekh zara kya mein ghalat kehtaa hoon tune khud se bhi badi baat chupa rakhi hai” {See the mirror for a while, if you think I am saying wrong You have hidden one big thing from yourself} Using the metaphor of the closed doors of mansion, he meant closing of hearts from the Divine call, which prophets kept bringing from time to time: “Kiwaad agarche muqaffal the iss haweli ke Magar faqeer guzarte rahe sadaa kart”e {Though the doors of the mansion had locks on them Yet, the seekers passed by it asking} He recited two of his most humorous poems: “Waghaira (etcetra)” and “banyian” (vest). Jamhooriat ek tarz-e- hukumat hai ke jis mein Ghodon ki tarah bikte hain insaan waghairaa {Democracy is that form of government Where men are sold like horses, etc.} On persistent demands from the audience, Masood recited his most famous Punjabi poem, Maa (mother), with an instant translation in Urdu (also in poetic form). The poem is based on a true incident that happened 65 years ago when Masood had started his career as a schoolteacher in a small village in Pakistan. It took him 10 years to come in the right form and in mystical circumstances. The poem talks about the kindness of mother who even after beaten to death by his own son sends food to him through his friend. The entire audience had tearful eyes as he read the poem, which is full of emotion. Upon request by Sagar Tirpathi, the audience stood up and gave Professor Masood a standing ovation and many of them later rushed on to the stage for autographs and to have a word with the poet. Dr. Hanif Shabab, a poet from Bhatkal, India, recited his piece on female feticide. One of the well-known poets based in Dammam, Sohail Saqib recited some of his recent poems. Another local poet, Sadiq Kirmani, too recited his work in a melodious form. A young poet, Abdulqadeer Topchi, had come from Riyadh and recited a few poems. The Mushaira was ably conducted by the founding president of HADAF, Nayeem Javed, who also spoke on the message of Allama Iqbal, especially to the youth. One of the vice presidents of HADAF, Javed Masud, welcomed the guests. Another vice president, Mohammad Asgharuddin, presented a report on the activities of HADAF. One of the core council members, Safi Hyder, briefed the audience about the objectives of HADAF and conducted the award ceremony wherein the group honored the sponsors, poets and other literary figures of the Eastern Province. While Saudi Gazette was the media partner of the event, Yousuf Saleh Yousef Contracting Est. Saleh Yousef Al Dossary Sons Company, Future Flag Furniture Company, Utilities and Industrial Power Services, Soundlines Group, Petrofab International — Al Maweed Group, Saleh and Al Awwad Trading Est. Al Mojil Travel & Tours, Smart Sys Information Technology were other sponsors and were awarded plaque of appreciation. Syed Minhajuddin of the International Committee of the Blue Cross and Blue Crescent had also contributed toward the event. Javed Masud was later elected president of HADAF for the next two years. — Safi Hyder contributed to this report
