Jeddah, Sep 24(Arab News): Saudi and Indian poets should share a platform to boost cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and India, said former Secretary Ministry of Culture and Information (international cultural relations), Abubaker A. Bagader, here on Thursday.
Speaking at the annual Urdu poetry session organized by the Consulate General of India in association with the Indian Pilgrims Welfare Forum (IPWF), Bagader said Saudi poets should be invited in Indian sessions and Indians should recite their couplets in Saudi gatherings “to bring people closer and give them an opportunity to know each other better.”
The traditional candle was lit by Bagader and Consul General Faiz Ahmad Kidwai, who also welcomed the guests. Consul Commercial Shakeel Ahmad introduced the poets. The vote of thanks was proposed by IPWF President Kader Khan. Professor Waseem Barelvi presided over the literary evening.
Veteran Munawwar Rana, Johar Kanpuri, Muztar Majaz and Barelvi did the star turn at the Mushaira, in which 15 poets participated.
Ghazal, the traditional genre of Urdu poetry, was the penchant of all poets, but Munawwar stole the thunder with his impeccable content and delivery of the lyrical rhyme and metered verse that was enjoyed by a crowd of over 3,500.
Poets mirror the social norms of the times, and the poets left no word unsaid to convey their pick on the recent issues of concern. Some of the couplets were mainly barbed comments at politicians and were well received by the audience.
A welcome change from the past was the presence of young poets — Usman Menai, Tariq Qamar, Shaista Sana, Hasan Abbas, Rahman Mussawir, Tayyab Pasha and Anjum Barabankvi. These emerging voices proved their mettle by measuring up to the standards set by their seniors. Majid Deobandi and Shabina Adeeb, who already command considerable respect, regaled the audience.
The momentum was generated after Shaista’s couplets stuck a chord with the audience. Her rendition of “Sharafat ke usoolon se baghawat karne lagte hain; padhe likhe log bhi mehfil mein shararat karne lagte hain...ye kaisi duniya hai ke is daur mein ladke jawan hote hain aur mohabbat karne lagte hain.”
Her light verses were the ones enjoyed by the crowd, especially, “Dil dasta hai na to pyar dasta hai, ankhiyoon ko tera intezar dasta hai,” that highlighted her romanticism.
A nazm by young poet Tariq and followed by Menai heralded the arrival of the new generation of poets. Menai, son of noted poet Shamsi Menai, impressed the gathering with some of his choicest couplets.
Anjum Barabankvi's couplet “Shaheedon ki zameen hai jisko hum Hindustan kehte hain; ye banjar ho kar ke bhi buzdil paida nahin karti,” touched the nationalistic sensibilities of the audience.
As the evening progressed, color, glamour and respectability was lent by the command performance of the veterans. Munawwar was at his best, but Johar's couplet “Agar hum firqoon mein na bate hote, aaj bhi dunia mein hamara dabdaba hota,” highlighted the plight of the Ummah.
Muztar pulled up today's poets with his rendition of “Main bhi Muztar shayar ban kar, gadunga jhanda, jab mujhe naam likhna aa jayeega.”
Munawwar, widely revered for his collection of poetry on mother, recited some of them. “Abhi zinda hai maa meri mujhe kuch nahin hoga; main ghar se jab nikalta hoon, meri maa ki dua saath chalti hai,” and Kal apne aap ko dekha tha maa ki ankhon mein, yeh ayeena hume budha nahin batata hai,” spoke volume about his poetic genius and sensitivity.
Munawwar's another couplet, “Tamaam umr hum ek doostre se ladte rahe; magar mare to barabar mein ja ke late gaye,” sent the audience in a tizzy. The mushaira reached its crescendo with Waseem’s compositions, the top two being, “lagta to bekhabar sa hoon, lekin khabar mein hoon; teri nazar mein hoon; to sabki nazar mein hoon,” and “yeh main hi tha bacha ke le aya kinare tak; samander ne bahut mauqa diya doob jane ka.”
Popular Merruti brought out the laughter with his satirical lyrics, and Mansoor Usmani, who too presented his works, anchored the session skillfully.