Where verses embody love for the language
While Punjabi is my spoken language, Urdu is surely my love.
The love for a language is often what draws admirers to converge. Talk about Urdu and lyricist Gulzar’s couplet echoes in the ears — Ye kaisā ishq hai Urdu zabāñ kaa, mazā ghultā hai lafzoñ kā zabāñ par. Fuelling the passion for this language will be verses of some popular poets, at the 54th edition of Shankar Shad Mushaira.
Returning to the Capital after three years, this muchloved mushaira, one of the oldest in Delhi, will feature renowned names such as veteran writer Javed Akhtar, lyricist Prasoon Joshi, author-poet Minu Bakshi, poet Munawwar Rana and many more.
“I was invited for this mushaira in 2020, but then the pandemic happened. I was truly disheartened,” shares Bakshi, adding, “This will be my first time at this mushaira, which is a place I used to go to as a spectator, even before I started writing. Now, being a part of it on stage... It’s like a blessing. While Punjabi is my spoken language, Urdu is my love.”
Promising to be a treat for lovers of Urdu language and poetry, this annual event will promote an exchange of ideas as it witnesses a combination of traditional and new-age poets. Popular Meeruthi, a celebrated poet and humorist, says, “It’s been 10-15 years since I’ve been coming to Delhi to be a part of this event... Har aadmi literature se kahin na kahin juda hota hai, aur wahin aati hai humari baat jab samay ke hisaab se baatein bhi ho, hasi bhi aaye aur poetry bhi ho.”
“A city is not made of brick, stone and mortar,” says Madhav Shriram, from the business conglomerate that started this mushaira in 1953. “A city is made of its people, culture and heritage. Urdu is very much a part of Delhi’s culture,” he adds.