One for the adab of Urdu language
Alanguage that gen Z hasn’t let go of, and is ever so keen to explore is Urdu. At the various mushairas in the city, a sizeable number of youngsters can be seen visiting in huge numbers. And this heightening interest in the Urdu language will get a new lease of life at the upcoming festival Jashn-e-Virasat-eUrdu or Urdu Heritage Festival.
The six-day event, which is open to all, is being organised by the Art,Culture and Language Department of the Delhi Government. It will have Sufi qawwalis, ghazals, dastangoi, and mushairas. And this year, the festival will also feature eminent music personalities such as Talat Aziz, Rekha Bhardwaj, Salman Ali, Shilpa Rao, and Nizami Bandhu, to name a few.
Veteran Urdu poet Waseem Barelvi says that since Urdu language enjoys a special status in Delhi, from the time of the Mughal era, it’s special for anyone to be part of such a festival in the Capital. “With time, sher-o-shayari pe farak pad gaya hai. And it’s important that today’s poetry depicts what’s relevant to the present times. Dilli ki virasat hai uski adab, shayari aur zabaan, aur ye sab is festival mein ek saath honge is baar,” says Barelvi.
For those who feel out of place when in the midst of poetry, can look forward to the musical performances by renowned artists, and soak in the spirit of this language. Chand Nizami, from the Nizami Bandhu troupe, says, “Urdu tehzeeb wali bhasha hai. Aur usey promote karne ke liye hum Amir Khusrow aur Ghalib ke qalaam gayenge, aur hum gayenge Chhap Tilak Sab Chinni Re. Besides, we will perform our popular song Kun Faya Kun, and Dama Dam Mast Qalandar ke bina mehfil adhuri hoti hai, toh hum vo bhi gayenge.”
It’s important that today’s poetry depicts what’s relevant to the present times. Dilli ki virasat hai uski adab, shayari aur zabaan, aur ye sab is festival mein ek saath honge is baar.
WASEEM BARELVI POET