India Mushaira Many believe that the future of Urdu poetry lies in intense verses. However, at the recent ‘10th All-India Mushaira', it was humor, and not themes of politics, sentimental love or even lyrics in semi-intoned style – ‘tarannum', that garnered the most positive response from poetry lovers in Jeddah, who displayed their ‘not-so-shy' attitude bursting now and then into rounds of laughter. To enjoy poetry as well as to support the welfare cause of the Mushaira organizer, Khak-e-Taiba Trust (KTT), a large number of expatriates from the subcontinent as well as a few Saudi nationals gathered last week in the International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ) Boys Section auditorium. They were, however, slightly disappointed due to the absence of some of their beloved poets: Munawwar Rana, Nawaz Deobandi, Manzar Bhopali, Isha Naaz and Masroor Abidi, all of whom were scheduled to attend the event. “The KTT suffered a loss because we purchased a non-refundable roundtrip air ticket for Munawwar Rana, who did not come,” said Mushaira convener Aleem Khan Falki. “Nawaz Deobandi, Manzar Bhopali, Isha Naaz and Masroor Abidi did not receive their passports on time,” Falki said, adding that Deobandi will arrive in Jeddah next week and the “KTT will hold another Mushaira to compensate those who were keen to hear him”. Padmashree Dr. Kaleem Aajiz presided over the Mushaira. The participating Indian poets included: Shad Bijnori, Sofi Sultan Shuttari, Sharafat Chand Puri, Typical Jagtiyali (Waheed uddin Hayder), Aleem Khan Falaki, Iftikhar Raghib, Sabeehuddin Zafar, Dr. Yousuf Azmi, Abbas Dana and Ana Dahlwi. Chief guests on the occasion were Shakeel Ahmed, Indian education consul; Dr. Faiz Zain Al-Abideen, member of board of directors of the Yanbu Chamber of Commerce; Tariq Mishkhas, Urdu News executive managing editor; S.H. Sheikh, Al-Assai Motors general manager and Qadir Pasha of Crescent Real Estate. In their speeches, Dr. Al-Abideen reiterated his support for “KTT's noble cause of providing education to the underprivileged sections of the community”, and Shakeel Ahmed congratulated the KTT committee members and the Mushaira convener Falki for organizing the Mushaira. He also urged support for KTT's welfare and educational projects. Siadat Ali Khan, KTT president, welcomed the guests. Speaking to Saudi Gazette, KTT general secretary Eng. Aijaz Ahmed Khan said the trust runs a computer center in Jeddah and three educational centers in Hyderabad, India. After the traditional lighting of the ‘shama' (candle) and a ceremony launching the KTT souvenir, the evening began with the recitation of the Holy Qur'an by Qari Mohammed Abbas followed by a naat by Ameen Ansari and nazm by Naeem Jawaid. The young Shad Bijnori was the first poet of the evening who warmed the hearts of the audience with his sentimental couplets. The passion and pain in his poetry was appreciated by the poetry lovers. Basa bhi le kabhi aankhon ke narm gooshoun mein Jala jala kar kajal banadia tune. For everyone who knows there is more to life than what they are currently experiencing, Sufi Sultan Shuttari's couplets had themes of eternal emotions and desires. With his penetrating commentary on each of the verses, Shuttari provided an insight into his own spiritual journey. Tere darbaar mein har simt diwaane dekhe Dermond mohabbat ke thikane dekhe. The ease of expression in the couplets of Sharafat Chand Puri was compelling. The pain of love and dishonest attitudes was candidly expressed in his verses. Woh aadmi jo bharose ka itminan ka hain Ussi se khadsha aaj apni jaan ka hain Typical Jagtiyali, with his light-hearted and humorous poetry, was a hit with the audience. His sarcastic take on social issues made into delightful couplets tickled the funny bone of the audience. Hum to shaitan hain lahaul se dar jaate hain - Kab tak aur darao ge ye bolo hum ko Aise insaan bhi duniya mein hain hum se badhkar – Unpe kya padhke bhagao ge yeh bolo hum ko The presence of local poet Aleem Khan Falaki compensated to some extent the absence of a few poets from India. Falaki's moving couplets with a touch of sarcasm addressed the emotional and social issues of expatriates that generate many unanswered questions. Maa baap budhe tanha watan mein padhe rahe - Bas raqam bhejte raho khidmat ki shortcut Jitne bhi hai gunah wo dhul jayenge aleem - Bas ek ashk e tauba nadamat ki shortcut An expatriate living in Qatar, Iftikhar Raghib's poetry also expressed the true sentiments of expatriates. He garnered praise for his intense verses reflecting the pains of an expatriate. Pardes mein rehkar koi kya paoon jamaye - Gamle mein lage phool ki qismat hi alag hain Le jaye jaha chahe hawa humko uthakar - Toote huwe patte ki hikayat hi alag hai The wise poetry of Sabeehuddin Zafar was food for the soul, mapping the soul's unique journey through life. Pashemani se paishani jahan par pani pani ho - Wahi sajda to sari umar ke sajdo pe bhari hai Zafar ye hum ne dekha barq si raftaar ki khatir - Bahut chhoti si koi cheez mansubon pe bhari hai Ana Dehalwi, the only female poetess and the wife of Sabeehuddin Zafar, was bolder than her husband in expressing intense emotional sentiments. The female audience appeared to be somewhat reticent to applaud her bold semi-intoned style songs. However, her verbal asides with the event host Naeem Jawaid enthralled the audience. Us paar utarne ki umeed bahut kam hai Kashti bhi purani hai toofan ko bhi aana hai Dr. Yousuf Azmi's romantic poetry was well-liked. His couplets on the Babri Masjid demolition evoked the feelings of the audience. Wahshaton ke haath mein ye qabar ka naqsha hai kyu? Jis jagah sajde the mere is jagah malba hai kyu? Abbas Dana won the audience's hearts through his message-oriented poetry, inspiring them to continue with their quest for success. Main hawa ka rukh bata sakta hu is halat mein bhi - Shaakh se toota huwa patta huwa to kya huwa Aik nuqta tha magar rehmat ko zehmat kar gaya - Haisiyat uski bhi hai nuqta huwa to kya huwa. The ageing and prestigious Indian civil award holder Padma Shri Dr. Kaleem Aajiz left early in the middle of the Mushaira. His romantic verses that mapped natural emotions through the human mind were heard with interest. Sab ke dil thande hain garmaane ko jee chahe hai -Poocho aaj isse ghazal gaane ko jee chahe hai Qatal karne ki aa bhi haseen, qatil bhi hasin - Na bhi marna ho to mar jaane ko jee chahe hai.
