Abdul Rahman M. Baig,
Jeddah: Urdu poetry stood tall with all its glory, majesty and melody during a Mushaira (Poetry
session) organized by the Indian Pilgrims Welfare forum (IPWF) under the patronage of Consulate
General of India, Jeddah at the International Indian School (Boys’ section) Sunday evening.
Indian Consul General Noor Rahman Sheikh and his wife his wife Dr. Nazneen Rahman marked the opening of the Mushairaby lighting the traditional candle. he also gave the welcoming speech
It was a fine fusion of romance and sublime faith that took the audience to a unique height of fancy, metaphors and similes.
Mushaira has always been an annual feature in the calendars of Urdu lovers of Jeddah and its surrounding areas. This year’s Mushaira was part of the 69 th Indian Republic Day Celebrations.
The auditorium of the International Indian School, Jeddah, three quartered packed auditorium of
International Indian School (Boys’ Section) reverberated with thunderous applause and traditional wah wahs (expressions of approval or bravos) and Subhan Allah (All praise be to God) for every poet for his or her creative work. Despite Sunday and Monday being working day Urdu enthusiast could prevent themselves to join the mega extravaganza. However, working day session did affect the attendance as normally jam packed auditorium was only a little more than half full.
Interestingly this Mushaira was more like a road show that Indian Embassy organized in the cities of Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah. It were same poets at all the three cities and in some cases same
poetry and recital. But surely this repetition did not dampen the enthusiasm of the people in all the three cities.
The Jeddah session started with an inaugural welcome speech from Yousuf Azmi, member of the
Indian Pilgrims Welfare Forum, the host of the show who welcomed the poets, guests and the
audience. He thanked the sponsors for supporting a noble cause. He then introduced the 10
participating renowned poets to the audience amid thundering ovation and invited them on stage.
Veteren poet, Professor/Dr. Muzaffar Hanafi from Haswa Fathepur in the Indian state of Uttar
Pradesh presided over the proceedings of the evening while Abrar Kashif another poet from
Amravati conducted the Mushaira.
Noor Rahman Sheikh, the Indian Consul general to Saudi Arabia, impressed one and all with his
address in chaste Urdu. He said although his mother tongue was Manipuri but the purity and
sweetness of Urdu compelled him to speak in Urdu. He lauded the efforts of all those associated
with Mushaira. He said that this annual gathering is a true embodiment of Indian ethos of unity in
diversity. He then recited two couplets receiving huge applause from the audience:
Shukriya Tera Tere Aane Se Raunaq to Hoi
Warna Ye Mehfil-e- Jazbaat Adhoori Rehti
Ye Kaun Aaya Roshan Hogayi Mehfil Kiske Naam Se
Mere Ghar Mein Jaise Suraj Nikla Hai Shaam Se
He said over the years, Mushaira has become an annual cultural mega event of Jeddah. He
regretted that due to some unavoidable circumstances annual Mushaira could not be held during
the past three years. He said the event was not just a literary event to entertain people but also an event to help a noble cause.
The Consul General paid tribute to the famous poet Anwar Jalalpuri, who died few days ago. He has hosted several Mushairas all over the world and he has even hosted the Annual Mushaira organized by the Indian Consulate. He recited Anwar Jalalpuri’s couplet:
Paraya Kaun Hai Aur Kaun Apna Sab Bhula Denge
Mata-e- Zindagi Hum Bhi Ek Din Luta Denge
Koi Pouchega Jis Din Waqa’i Ye Zindagi Kya Hai
Zamin Se Ek Muthi Khaak Lekar Hum Udha Denge
Noor Rahman then lit the traditional candle along with his wife Dr. Nazneen Rahman, marking the
opening of the Mushaira.
Abrar Kashif, who conducted the Mushaira with his usual pun and literary sarcasm, invited Dr.
Nadeem Shad who recited a Na’at (poetry in praise of Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH) and took the
audience to spiritual heights.
Naat –E–Nabi (SAWS) Ke Shauq Ko is Dil Mein Paal ke
Bakhshish Ka Kuch To Rakhlo Asasa Sambhal Ke
Lafzon Mein Kya Bayan Karoun Unki Shaan Ko
Jee Chahta Hai Rakhloon Kaleja Nikaal Ke
Abrar Kashif then recited couplets of his ghazal, paying tribute to the Urdu lovers of Jeddah on
behalf of all the participating poets.
Qadam Qadam per Ujale Hain Aur Jeddah Hai
Ke Rang Wa Noor Ke Haale Hain Aur Jeddah hai
Aur Aap Khatm Karen Apni Guftagu Kashif
Ghazal Ke Chahne Waale Hain Aur Jeddah Hai
After Nadeem Shad, Nayeem Faraaz from Akola, Maharashtra enthralled the audience with his
Nazm. The audience applauded and praised his couplets:
Jinhone Baap Ko Ladte Sada Ghurbat Se Dekha
Woh Bacchchey To Khilonon Ki bhi Farmaish Nahin Karte
Jo Baap Kirdar Hota Hai Alag pehchana Jaata Hai
Kisi Saaye Se Uske Qad Ki Paymaish Nahin Karte
Gham Zamaane Se Chupate Chupate Howe Mar Jaate Hain
Dil Jale Haste Hasate Hoye Mar Jaate Hain
Kis Tarah Yaad Rakhegi Bhala Duniyo Unko
Jo Faqat Khaate Kamate Howe Mar Jaate Hain
After Nayeem Faraaz’s rather long recital, Sardar Saleem of Hyderabad took to the stage and
virtually put the stage on fire with his ghazal
Asmaan Choone Ke Jazbe Ko Samajh Sakta Hai
Ek Parinda Hi Parinde Ko Samajh Sakta Hai
Husn Waale Rahe Urdu Se Agar Na Waaqif
Kaun Phir Ishq Ke Lehje Ko Samajh Sakta Hai
Audience also loved and applauded his Ghazal:
Dua Ki Roshni Se Aasmaan Bharte Hain
Ke Hum Baghair Paron Ke Udhaan Bharte Hain
Mein Jis Zabaan Mein Karta Hoon Shayeri
Bhawrein Usi Zabaan Mein Phoolon Ke Kaan Bharte Hain
After Sardar Saleem, Dr. Liyaqat Jaferi from Jammu & Kashmir presented his Ghazal which also
received huge appreciation from the crowd.
Dard Ne Meer Taqi Meer Bana Rakha Hai
Mujhko Is Ishq Ne Kashmir Bana Rakha Hai
His Ghazal of rivalry in love broke the auditorium into rapturous applause
Kitna Dushwaar Hai Jazboun Ki Tijarat Karna
Ek Hi Shakhs Se Do Baar Mohabbat Karna
Jisko Tum Chaho Koi Aur Na Chahe Usko
Isko Kehte Hai Mohabbat Mein Siasat Karna
His Ghazal on national integration immensely moved the crowd which asked him to repeat his
verses several time:
Wahi Banate The Lohon Ko Todkar Taala
Phir Uske Baad Wahi Chaabiyaan Banate The
Hamare Gaoun mein Do Char Hindu Darzi The
Namaziyon Ke Liye Topiyaan Banate
The Punjab Inspector General of Police Fayyaz Farooqi, poet from Chandigarh broke the audience intothunderous applause when in all good humor he urged people to take his as a poet and not a
policemen. He carried the same thought and feel as Dr. Liyaqat Jaferi. It would have been tough for any poet to retain the tempo created by Jaferi. But Farooqi received equal appreciation for his ghazals. Some of his couplets:
Shab E Hijrat Guzari Humne Aksar Youn Bhi Kaanton per
Kabhi Karwat Ko Samjhate Kabhi Bistar Ko Samjhate
Na Pighla Woh Ke Jisko Moum Ka Paikar Samhjte The
Pighal Jaata Agar Itna Badhkar Koi Pathar Ko Samjhate
Itna Aasaan Nahin Hota Kisi Ka Hona
Seekhna Padhta Hai Bande Ko Bhi Banda Hona
Youn Bura Hona To Dunya Mein Bura hai Lekin
Itna Acha Bhi Nahin Hota Hai Acha Hona
His above couplet created near pandemonium in the auditorium as frenzied crowd kept shouting
“Once more: amid too many “wah wahs” and thunderous applause. Jeddah Urdu lovers never
wanted Farooqi to go and on their request he recited his another Ghazal which virtually brought the whole auditorium to its feet:
Mera Naseeb Jaise Sitaare Pe Aagaya
Beta Mera Jab Teeswe Paare Pe Aagaya
Usne Nazar Milaake Jhukali Dar Fagan
Mai Doobne Se Pehle Kinaare Pe Aagaya
Dr. Nadeem Shad from Deoband then took the Mushaira to altogether different level with his
Ghazal and has captured the evening by winning the audience hearts in the Mushaira.
Bahut Yaqeen Mein Nahin Tha Chalo Gumaan Mein Tha
Magar Ye Darr To Nahin Mai Uske Jaal Mein Tha
Zameen Pe Bikhra Pada Hoon To Mujhse Ibrat Lo
Mai Aap Hi ki Tarah Kal Tak Aasmaan mein Tha
Mai Tujhse Haar Gaya To Maslehat Thi Koi
Warna Teer To Aakhir Tak Kamaan Mein Tha
Another Ghazal virtually mesmerized the audience who never wanted spell to break. Had he
continued to recite whole night, the audience would have been glued to their seat all the time.
Tujhe Ab Chordh Kar Jaana Padega
Yeh Hai To Zeher Par Khaana Padega
Hawa Aati Nahin Hai Lashkaroun Ki
Charagon Hi Ko Samjhana Padega
Zubaan Se Hi To Samajhta Nahin
Tujhe Haathon Se Samjhana Padega
His melodious voice virtually hypnotized the audience which listened to his recital in rapt attention.
Bulandi Per Yaqeenan Yaqeen Rakhta Houn
Magar Mai Paon Ke Neeche Zameen Rakhta Houn
Talaash Kijiye Aap Haathoun Mein Taqdeerein
Ke Mai To Sirf Khuda Per Yaqeen Rakhta Houn
Now it was turn of the host of the evening Abrar Kashif who did not disappoint the audience.
Manziloun Ka Kaun Jaane Rehguzar Achi Nahin
Uski Aankhein Khoobsurat Hai Nazar Achi Nahin
Ghar Ki Taqseem mein Anaa Hi Gawaa’n Baithe Hain
Phool Gulshan Se Shanasai Hi Gawaa’n Baithe Hain
Baad Aankhoun Se Samajh Lene Ka Da’awa Mat Kar
Hum Isi Shaukh Mein Beenai Gawaa’n Baithe Hain
The only Poetess in the session Alina Etrat also regaled the audience with her Ghazal. Few excerpts:
Jinke Mazboot Irade Bane Pehchaan Unki
Manzilein Aap Hojaate Hai Aasaan Unki
Band Rehte Hai Jo Alfaz Kitaaboun mein Sada
Gardishe Waqt Mita Deti hai Pehchaan Unki
As night moved into wee hours of Monday Iqbal Ashar was entrusted the task of lit the stage and he
did not disappoint with his couplets laced with sarcasm, humor and reality of present day life.
Kuch Nahin Badla Dewaane the Dewaane Hi Rahe
Hum Naye Shahron Mein Rehkar Bhi Purane Hi Rahe
Aye Parindon Hijratein Karne Se Kya Haasil Hua,
Chonch Mein The Chaar Daane, Chaar Daane Hi Rahe
Gaoun Ki Masoom Nadiyoun Ne Bahut Roka Magar
Sheher Ke Baadal Siyaane The Siyaane Hi Rahe
On crowd Psychology and blind belief he said:
Ye Jugnou Ki Qayadat mein Chalne Waale Log
They Kal Charaagh Ki Maanind Jalane Waale Log
Sitam To Ye Ke Humari Safon Mein Shaamil Hain
Chiraagh Bujhte Hi Khaima Badalne Waale Log
The audience was now in total connect with the Mushaira and to retain this mood Abrar Kashif
invited legendary poet Prof./Dr. Waseem Barelvi to the stage. Before reciting his Ghazal he
appreciated the crowd’s patience and understanding of Urdu poetry and said Urdu Language is
flourishing because of such people. In his Ghazal he used unique imagery and metaphors:
Tu Samjtha Hai Ke Rishtoun Ki Ghairayi/Dohai Dengaye
Hum To Woh Hai Jo Tere Chehre Se Dikhai Dengaye
Humko Mehsoos Kiya Jayega Khusboo Ki Tarah
Hum Koi Shor Nahin hai Jo Sunai Dengaye
Woh Jo Kehte Hai Kahin Pyar Na Hone Dengaye
Huum Unhe Raah Mein Deewaar Na Hone Dengaye
Tu Samjhta Hai Jisse Chahe Roung Dengaye
Hum Itni Bhi Teri Raftaar Na Hone Dengaye
Lehrati Balkhati Chudhiya Hawa Se Kehti Rehti Hai
Udhne Pe Aaoun To Duniya Kitni Choti Lagti Hai
Audience also loved and applauded his following couplets and he has received huge appreciation
from the crowd.
Kal Ek Gaoun Ki Budhiya Meri Car Se Jab Takrai
Kahi Tohra Dosh Nahi Hai Humi Ko Nai Dikhlai
Hadisoun Ke Chalte Kya Muskurana Chordein
Zalzaloun Ke Khauff Se Kya Ghar Banana Chordein
Tumne Mere Ghar Pe Na Aane Ki Qasam Khayi To Hai Lekin
Aansoun Se Bhi Kehdo Aankoun Mein Aana Chordein
Pyar Ke Dushman Kabhi To Pyar Se Kehte Hongaye
Ek Tera Daricha Hum To Zamana Chordein
Barishein Deewar Dhonlene Ki Aadi Hai To Kya
Hum Isi Darr Se Kya Tera Chehra Banana Chordein
Earlier all the poets were given gifts, mementos and shawls by the Indian Consul General Noor
Rahman Sheikh and his wife. This year’s Mushaira was mainly sponsored by Al Abeer group and co-sponsored by Abdullah Hashim Company Ltd, DPS, Luna, Heat Universal Coil Exchangers, IGNOU, NATCO, RC Group, TATA, 360 relators and Hyundai.
Yousuf Azmi proposed the vote of thanks.