Mumbai witnessed an unforgettable celebration of Urdu’s charm and cultural legacy as Bahar-e-Urdu opened to a packed audience at the Dome SVP Stadium, Worli. The event marked the 50th anniversary of the Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya Academy and paid homage to Urdu’s poetic essence, its influence on art, and its emotional connect with people across generations.
The evening began on a soulful note with a Qaumi Yakjehti Geet performed by Farkhanda and the Kohinoor Music Academy, symbolizing the spirit of unity through music. This was followed by an evocative Urdu theatrical presentation titled Ishq Jale To Jale Aisa by Mujeeb Khan, based on the timeless verses of legendary poet Sahir Ludhianvi, which moved the audience deeply.
One of the highlights of the evening was a star-studded Mushaira that brought together some of the most celebrated Urdu poets of the era – Rajesh Reddy, Obaid Azam Azmi, Shakeel Azmi, Mehshar Afridi, Qamar Siddiqui, and Shikha Awdhesh. Their soulful recitations transformed the atmosphere into a poetic paradise, where words danced with emotion and melody.
Adding a dose of laughter to the evening, renowned humorist Surender Sharma entertained the crowd with his trademark wit and satire.
A thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Filmon Mein Urdu” explored Urdu’s poetic impact on Indian cinema. The session featured noted personalities Sachin Pilgaonkar, Rumy Jafry, and lyricist Syed Qadri, moderated with flair by Shekhar Suman. The conversation delved into how Urdu has beautifully blended with Indian film dialogues, lyrics, and storytelling.
The event also included an engaging interactive session with Javed Akhtar and Rumy Jafry, which received thunderous applause from the audience. Their reflections on Urdu’s emotional depth and cultural relevance highlighted the language’s enduring power in shaping Indian literature and cinema.
Hosted with warmth and humour by Shekhar Suman and Ali Asgar, the evening concluded with the national anthem, leaving the audience in awe and admiration.
As the curtains fell on the first day of Bahar-e-Urdu, it reaffirmed that Urdu is more than just a language-it is an emotion that unites hearts, evokes memories, and continues to inspire generations.
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