JKAACL hosts All India Urdu Mushaira in Jammu

Principal Secretary Culture, SK Gupta presenting a gift to Urdu poet Dr Liaqat Jafri at Abhinav Theatre in Jammu on Tuesday.
Principal Secretary Culture, SK Gupta presenting a gift to Urdu poet Dr Liaqat Jafri at Abhinav Theatre in Jammu on Tuesday.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages (JKAACL) organized the All India Urdu Mushaira at the Abhinav Theatre in Jammu this evening.
The event was graced by a distinguished gathering of writers and intellectuals from various linguistic backgrounds.
Suresh Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary of the Department of Culture and School Education, was the Chief Guest for the occasion.
In his address, Suresh Kumar Gupta highlighted the importance of poetry in promoting unity and harmony in a diverse country like India.
He emphasized that the Mushaira serves as a bridge for connecting people from different regions through the universal language of poetry.
Gupta also mentioned that JKAACL has introduced 31 new schemes to promote regional art, culture, and languages, urging writers and artists to take advantage of these initiatives.
Harvinder Kour, Secretary of JKAACL, welcomed the poets and guests and spoke about the significance of the event.
She noted that the Mushaira, which began in 1960, has become an annual tradition, providing a platform for the promotion of Urdu literature.
Kour also underlined the role of such literary events in fostering creativity, preserving cultural heritage, and strengthening bonds between diverse communities.
The Mushaira, held as part of the 76th Republic Day celebrations, featured renowned poets from across India.
Participants included Chander Bhan Khaal (Delhi), Rajesh Reddy (Mumbai), Manish Shukla (Lucknow), Dr Sunita Raina (Delhi), Mohan Muntazir (Uttarakhand), Monika Dehlvi (Delhi), Amjid Khan Amjid (Dehradun), Deepak Gupta (Faridabad), Asad Mehtab Asad (Mumbai), and Krishen Kumar Toor (Dharamshala).
Local poets from Jammu and Kashmir also contributed, with performances by Pritpal Singh Beetab, Dr Liaqat Jafri, Sohil Siddique, Mumtaz Ahmad, Dr Shafaq Sopori, Gulzar Jaffar, Shabeena Ara, Qazi Akhter, and Dr Tahir Tanveer.
The poets captivated the audience with their thought-provoking verses, blending traditional themes with contemporary ideas.
The event showcased the enduring appeal of Urdu poetry and its role in connecting people through the power of language.
As part of the Republic Day celebrations, JKAACL will also organize a Dogri Kavi Sammelan at the Abhinav Theatre on January 30, 2025, to further celebrate the region’s literary diversity.