JEDDAH: This year’s annual mushaira, held under the aegis of the Indian Pilgrims Welfare Forum (IPWF) in Jeddah, started on a low-key note with the connoisseurs of Urdu poetry receiving the initial fare on a lukewarm note.

As the evening progressed, however, color, glamour and respectability was lent by the command performance of Nida Fazli (who presided over the literary session), Rahat Indori and Nasim Nikhat — often called the Perveen Shakir of India. These dominant faces of Urdu poetry successfully worked on the sentiments of the audience to keep them in raptures.

Mansoor Usmani, who also recited some of his couplets, anchored the session. Veteran humorist Ghaos M. Khamkwah and Ejaz Popular Merahti’s humorous compositions sent the audience into peals of laughter.

Other poets who brought out the richness of Urdu poetry to an audience of over 2,000, included the young and emerging voice of Mumtaz Nasim, Agha Sarosh, Aleem Saba Navedi, Shakeel Azmi, Hasan Kamal and Jameel Khairabadi.

Though almost all forms of Urdu poetry were lauded by the audience, it was ghazal, the traditional genre of Urdu poetry, which touched the hearts of the enthusiasts.

Some of Nida Fazli’s compositions brought out the rebel in him. In one he questioned the US occupation of Iraq, the hanging of Saddam Hussein and the atrocities perpetrated by Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Muslims in the Indian state of Gujarat in the 2001 riots.

Nida’s couplets were mainly barbed comments at politicians and were well received by the audience.

The mushaira reached its crescendo when the veteran ghazal poet reeled off his composition “Jise dekhte hi khumari lage; use umr sari humari lage, ujala sa hai uske charon taraf; woh nazuk badan paoon bhari lage, woh sasural se ayee hai mayeke; use jitna dekhoon pyari lage,” in which the sensitiveness of a father who regales about his daughter who on becoming pregnant has come home from her in-laws house and has brought with her a new brightness is highlighted.

His couplet “main royaa pardes main; bheega maa ka pyaar, dil ne dil se baat kee; bin chithhi bin taar,” reflected the pain and agony of those living in foreign lands leaving behind their families.

Rahat Indori’s couplet “khushk dariyaoon mein halki rawani aur hai; ret ke neeche abhi thora sa pani aur hai,” and “Ek hukumat hai jo inam bhi de sakti hai; ek qalandar hai jo inkar bhi ker sakta hai,” showed defiance of a poet against the authorities. This couplet struck a particular chord with the audience.

Nasim Nikhat, whose poetic potential has fascinated top ghazal maestros like Ghulam Ali and Jagjit Singh, stirred the audience with her inimitable rendition. Her “Khuda unhen kamyab ker de; her ek lamha gulab ker de,” mirrored the emotions of a beloved.

The session was held at the International Indian School, Jeddah, (IISJ) auditorium and began with Indian Consul General Sayeed Ahmad Baba lighting a candle. Consul Press and Information Shakil Ahmad spoke about the tradition of mushaira and thanked all for their efforts in organizing the show. Jeddah Urdu Academy chief Jamal Quadri introduced the poets to the audience.

In his address, IPWF President Kader Khan dedicated the mushaira to the fond memory of Abdul Malik, a leading community leader who recently passed away.

But certain things were disappointing. According to local litterateurs, most of the poets recited their old couplets and some of them rendered some poor compositions.