Grand Celebration of Urdu in Mumbai: Colors of Journalism, Literature and Culture, All-India Mushairas Captivated the Audience

The three-day Urdu festival, held at the University of Mumbai's Urdu department with a commitment to promote the Urdu language and literature, preserve cultural heritage, and raise journalistic awareness, proved to be a memorable and historic occasion for language lovers due to its intellectual, literary, and cultural diversity. The grand festival, organized in collaboration with Urdu Channel and Roots of Kindness Foundation at the university's Feroz Shah Mehta Hall, featured high-quality literary and cultural programs, while all-India level mushairas mesmerized Urdu lovers.

During the three-day festival, serious and purposeful activities were organized on various aspects of Urdu journalism, literature, poetry, and culture. In particular, a discussion on the topic "Journalism and New Challenges" proved to be highly important and timely, in which open discussions were held on the problems faced by contemporary journalism.

Senior journalists Javed Jamaluddin, Times of India's senior editor Muhammad Wajihuddin, Inquilab's sub-editor Qutbuddin Shaheed, Urdu Channel's editor Dr. Qamar Siddiqui, and Anis Siddiqui expressed their views, while Rashid Ashraf Khan from Nasik University moderated the discussion with great finesse.

During the discussion, speakers shed light on serious issues such as the uncontrolled effects of social media, the irresponsible rush of breaking news, corporate pressure, the decline of journalistic values, and the increasing unemployment among journalists. The speakers said that while digital media has provided new opportunities for expression, it has also created risks for the reputation and seriousness of journalism, which requires trained and responsible journalism.

A notable feature of the Urdu festival was the all-India mushaira, in which prominent and experienced poets from across the country participated, enchanting the audience with their select and high-quality poetry. Aslam Chishti, the guest of honor at a mushaira, said before reciting his poetry that the festival was a timely necessity, and its fourth edition had a distinct identity compared to other Urdu festivals held across the country.

He said that instead of any showy aspect, the festival was driven by a pure desire to serve the Urdu language. The mushaira was presided over by renowned writer Vinod Kartar Pani, while poets including Waseem Khan Waseem, Danishad Hameedi, Abdullah Nadeem, Obaid Harith, Shahroz Khawar, Maqsood Afaq Ahmed, Nig Abadi, and Akhtar Jamal Iraki participated, infusing the mushaira with their intellectual, classical, and modern colors.

Renowned poet, researcher, and fearless journalist Dr. Mehtab Alam said before reciting his poetry that "a language whose lovers are celebrating such a grand festival without any government patronage, with such pomp and discipline, can never decline." He emphasized that the large number of Urdu lovers who participated in the festival at the University of Mumbai was a rare sight, even in government-sponsored programs. Other Urdu organizations should learn from this festival, which was organized with public support.

Dr. Mehtab Alam's poetry was repeatedly requested by the audience, and his verses created a unique ecstatic atmosphere in the gathering. The all-India mushaira was moderated by Dr. Qamar Siddiqui, a renowned researcher and the driving force behind the Urdu festival, who elevated the mushaira with his unique, refined, and dignified style.

Notable attendees at the mushaira and festival included Javed Jamaluddin, Dr. Qasim Imam, Dr. Anjum Barabankvi, Fahad Irfan Jafari, Muhammad Sulaiman Farooqui, Dr. Zakir Khan Zakir, Dr. Rashid Ashraf Khan, Taseel Khan, and Shah Alam Manpuri, among other prominent figures in literature and journalism.

The three-day Urdu festival proved to be a clear testament to the fact that Urdu is still a living, vibrant, and popular language. The sincerity, hard work, and excellent organization with which Dr. Qamar Siddiqui, Dr. Zakir, Waseem Aqeel Shah, and their friends made this festival possible are praiseworthy. This festival not only brought a welcome message for the Urdu language but also proved that with public support, intellectual affiliation, and genuine dedication, the future of Urdu can be made bright.