Urdu Markaz International Holds Twentieth Annual Mushaira
A Pakistan Link Report
Pictures by YKKB
Pictures above: Glimpses of the memorable mushaira organized by Urdu Markaz International
The Twentieth Annual Mushaira organized by Urdu Markaz International on November 8, 2006 lived up to the expectations of the large number of Urdu lovers who had turned up at the Titan Union Center, Cal State University, Fullerton, to hear the choicest kalam of leading poets from North America, the Indo-Pak Subcontinent, China, Bermuda and the UAE.
It was ungrudgingly a soul-lifting literary concourse, a veritable feast for the Urdu enthusiasts who had packed the spacious Titan Hall and had come from far and near to enjoy every moment of the lively proceedings. The kalam was scintillating, to say the least.
The list of participating poets was impressive. Professor Zhang Shi Xuan (Intikhab Alam) came from China, Azhar Inayati and Popular Merathi from India, and Shahnaz Noor from Pakistan. Besides, a large number of poets from North America and Bermuda, including Nayyar Apa, Majeed Akhtar, Zafar Abbas, Tabish Khanzada, Fazaluz Zia, Farooq Taraz, Maqbool Ahmed Abid, Farhat Shahzad, and Amrit Shahzad presented their kalam to the delight of the appreciative audience.
Mr Fazaluz Zia, Executive Director of Urdu Markaz, was the emcee of the evening and gave a good account of himself. A number of awards were also given on the occasion. Ms Tasnim Abidi received the Ahmad Adaya Urdu International Award 2008 from Mr Salim Adaya son of the late Ahmed Adaya, Professor Zhang Shi Xuan (Intikhab Alam) won the Qazi Shafi Mohammad Fakhr-e-Urdu Award 2008, and Mohammad Qamrul Hasan Qamar Bastavi was given the Hassane Urdu International Award 2008. A new award – Amna Haji Mohammed Husnae Kardgi Urdu International Award - was also instituted this year by Mr Mohammad Iqbal to accord recognition to the literary genius of women. It was given to Rashida Ayan.
A befitting tribute was paid to Nayyar Apa by poet Azhar Inayati: “Is Raastay Mein Jjab Koi Saaya Na Paayay Ga, Yeh Akhri Darakht Bahot Yaad Aayay Ga.” True. Nayyar Apa has played a pivotal role in the promotion of Urdu in North America and her presence in mushairas and literary gatherings invariably has a sobering influence on the proceedings. Suave and blend, she is cast in the mold of a truly inspirational Apa, and deservedly should be called “Apa-e-Urdu.”
Mr Abubakar Vakil presided over the mushaira and his forceful address added to the liveliness of the evening.
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