JEDDAH, 16 September 2006 — Connoisseurs of Urdu poetry were treated to a wide range of works by eminent poets, who competed for appreciation and applause at the annual Jeddah Mushaira on Thursday. Presided over by the veteran Urdu litterateur Mazhar Imam, the mushaira was launched at the IISJ auditorium by Indian Consul General Ausaf Sayeed by lighting a candle.
Consul Haj Suhel Ejaz Khan introduced the poets to the audience and thanked all for their efforts in organizing the show. Vice Chancellor of Maulana Azad Urdu University Professor A.
M. Pathan was the special guest.
Over 2,000 people attended and the audience burst out with replete of “wah-wahs” when poets skillfully used rhythmic meter in their verse. Fifteen Indian poets recited their choicest writings and were impeccable in their content and delivery.
But the poet who stole the show was Rahbar Jaunpuri. His “nazm” full of patriotic fervor charged the atmosphere. In the backdrop of the “Vande Mataram” controversy, and repeated questioning about Muslims’ love, sincerity, commitment and contribution for the motherland by some sections of the Indian society, Rahbar reminded them of Muslims’ sacrifices and contribution to India — calling them unshakable, unparalleled and unquestionable.
“Hum wafadar hain ghaddar nahin; ...phir bhi humse ye gila hai ke hum wafadar nahin,” was an instant hit with the listeners and set the tone for the evening.
Sensing the nationalistic mood in the auditorium after Rahbar’s rendition, Haq Kanpuri, took it a notch further with his couplets rendered in traditional form of ghazal — emphasizing that the need of the hour is unity among all sections of Indian society to take the world on the path of growth and prosperity.
“Yeh maikada sabhi ka hai; qadam, qadam bahum chaleen; hamare sath tum chalo; tumhare sath hum chaleen; na humse door tum chalo; na tumse door hum chaleen; ye dosti ka waqt hai; mila ke sab qadam chaleen.” Amid all the political satire, there was some simple poetry as well. Poets in quick sequence recited their finest gazals. A respected name in Urdu literature from the seat of learning, Aligarh, Manzur Hashmi, recited some of his couplets. His couplet, “kabhi kabhi to who itni rasaee deta hai, ke sochta hai to mujh ko sunaee deta ha,” displayed his romantic streak.
Bashar Nawaz, through one of his couplets, reminded everybody about the fast pace of commercialization. “Zindagi thi kisi bazaar ka manzar jaise, hum bhi mathe pe sajaye hue qimat nikle,” spoke volume about his agony and pain over commercialization of the society. A respected poetess, Tajwar Sultana, rendered some beautiful couplets and a few ghazals.
“Zindagi se pyar hota jata hai; rasta dushwar hota jata hai; Dil mein chahat ke kanwal khilne laga; kya mujhe bhi pyar hota jata hai; mirrored the pain and distress of a love-lorn person.
Azhar Enayti’s rendition of “kuch der tak to us se meri guftagu rahi; phir ye hua ke woh mere lahje mein aa gya,” was received well.
A well-known poet and journalist, Abdul Ahad Saaz’s couplet, “woh jalaenge tumhen; shart bus itni hai ke, sirf tum jeete raho, jeene ki tamanna na karo,” spoke about the prevailing communal tension in India.
One of the senior poets Makhmoor Sayeedi, received wild applause for his couplet “kuch pahluoon ko meri nazar dekhti na thi, duniya buri to thi; magar itni buri na thi, uth ker teri gali se ajab tajurba hua; anjaan humse shehar ki koi gali na thi,” which was reflective of his poetic sensuousness.
The mushaira reached its crescendo when Mazhar Imam rendered some of his finest compositions. His couplets, “tu hai gar mujh se khafaa khud se khafaa hoon main bhi; mujh ko pahachaan ki teri hi adaa hoon main bhi; ek tujh se hi nahin fasl-e-tamannaa shaadaab; wahi mausam hoon wahi aab-o-hawa hoon main bhi,” showcased his genius.
Dr. Shahpar Rasool, touched upon the pyche of non-resident Indians in his couplet, “Na uthi ankheen kisi lafz-e-bezarar ki taraf; na sang aye kabhi shakh-e-besamar ki taraf; mujhe bhi lamhe hijrat ne kar diya taqseem, nigah ghar ki taraf hai, qadam safar ki taraf.” However, some light moments was provided when humorist Adil Lucknowi came up with his couplets. “Aye burhape tera neeshan hain hum; teer ghayb hai aur kaman hain hum,” left people in good humor. Veteran humorist Ghaos Khwamkwah through his couplet raised the question of the arms race in the world, “Ekaththa ker liye larnewaloon ne hathiyar jitne, phool utne jama kiye hote to duniya mahak uthti.” Mustafa Ali Beg’s couplet, “Urdu, Urdu pukaroon main ban mein; lekin sachca pyar nahin man mein,” took a shot at the double-standard of the so-called Urdu lovers.
Muzaffaruddin Abdali began the poetic session with his rendition of “Mere ghar mein woh kahkashan dhoondte hain; kya dhondte hain kahan dhoondte hain; wahan se ghariboon ki basti shuru hai; chalo zindagi ko wahan dhoondhte hain.” Abdali was applauded well.
One of the finest compere of mushaira, Anwar Jalalpuri, anchored the event deftly.
