Cultural Fusion: Art Exhibit and Mushaira in Sacramento Features the Work of Irfan Murtaza
By Ras H. Siddiqui
A unique event titled “Cultural Fusion” was held in Sacramento, California, bringing together two organizations and an acclaimed artist on December 18, 2021. The first organization had the venue, a recently purchased facility of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) Sacramento Valley on Del Paso Blvd. which lucky for us, has its own built-in Art Gallery. The second organization is a relative newcomer to this area but not new to California by the name of the Human Ummah Foundation. And last but not least, a gifted individual whose work was featured here via two artistic dimensions (Paintings and Poetry) Irfan Murtaza. Irfan may be old news for people in Southern California, but we believe that this was his first show in person in the Sacramento area that we are aware of.
The evening was broken up into three segments. The first was the art exhibition which showcased Irfan’s paintings, calligraphy, and ceramic displays with the Artist himself available to explain all the finer points of his work which was available for sale. The second segment was dinner and a chance to catch up socially. And last, but not least, was a Mushaira (Urdu poetry recital) interspersed with an appeal for local activism and political participation. South Asian origin people are no strangers to such a mix because Urdu poetry’s reach is well beyond personal romance as its love affair with politics is well documented. There were two emcees here this evening starting with Asif Haq and later Naeem Syed taking over during the Mushaira.
Touring the art exhibit was quite a treat. The range of subjects in Irfan Murtaza’s art has widened recently as has the level of detail flowing through his paintbrush. One can say that viewer appreciation is subjective, almost all his work needs to be commended because it is thought-provoking and simply beautiful. And one of his works especially caught many eyes. Titled “Ashamed” this painting of two poor children (possibly brother and sister) hiding their faces from a picture taker or the artist showed a great deal of feeling and depth. This writer was immediately drawn to it and had to ask Irfan a few questions about it. It should come as no surprise that this painting sold very quickly for a good sum of money. Kudos to the person who purchased it for appreciating true art.
Following dinner, the formalities began with a fine Qur’anic recitation by Tulaib Zafir. CAIR Sacramento Board Member Khydeeja Javid spoke first and welcomed the event taking place at her organization’s newly purchased facility. She also reminded everyone that the facility has been purchased with loans and a large sum is due next year which will need our community’s generous attention. Junaid Khan of the Human Ummah Foundation followed with a short speech and highlighted the past and current achievements of the organization, including awards received from the US Congress and members of the California Senate. Junaid added that participation in local and national politics is essential for our community. A moment of silence was also observed for the victims of recent tornados in the Midwest.
And speaking of participation in local politics two young people who are attempting to do just that were next invited to speak after. Fatima Malik, who ran for a Board Position on the local SMUD utility (District 5) in 2020, ran a great campaign (she received approximately 40,000 votes) and came very close to winning. Fatima gave us a brief background of her family origins, and also said that she will be planning to run again. Sameer Kazim, who spoke next, is another person we need to support. He is currently an elected Democratic Party Delegate from California Assembly District 6. Sameer believes in the expansion of public education, advanced healthcare access, and the need to address climate change. In this event he said that we can, and should, be able to reach out to the mainstream community via our talents in the arts such as those on display here.
The poetry recital finale was next. The first poet invited on stage was Sardar Shahnawaz Habib whose Maa (Mother) was quite moving along with Tum Mujhe Yaad Karna. Naeem Syed himself presented next Josh o Jazba and Meri Ghazal Tu Hai before he invited Dr Salwa Hussain to share some of her poetry. One could say that Pakistani doctors are certainly multitalented as Ms Hussain proved here with her Hum Yun Bichar Jayain Ge along with Jo Dil Mein Rehte Hain, and even a reflection on a trip to Hawaii, Jis Taraf Dekha. And closing the local talent Javaid Akhtar came up to the stage with his Keh Dala, December (poem on Saneha-e-Peshawar) and Zindagi (Life).
The chief guest Irfan Murtaza was an emerging talent in the year 2002 when his first Urdu poetry collection “Puraanay Gher Kay Mosam” was published. We are happy to note that Pakistan Link was there and a part of the Rooh Numai of that book at an event in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since then, Irfan has added four more poetry collections, the last one being “Sulagti Rait Per Sajda” in the year 2019. During his artistic journey Irfan has grown not only as a writer but as reported earlier, a fine painter as well. Since this part of the report is the Mushaira segment, we shall concentrate on his poetry, but our dilemma is to figure out which craft he is better in?
Irfan presented a Guldasta (Flower Arrangement) of his poetic work here at this event. But nostalgia prevailed. We have heard the poems from his first work many times from online sources but hearing them again live only adds to their merit, especially in the company of a Ba Zauq audience of poetry enthusiasts. A personal favorite “Ab Bhi Aisa Hota Ho Ga” and of course “Puraanay Gher Kay Mosam” received a great deal of applause along with “Jo Bhi Tha Thora Tha?”
To conclude it is important for our community to step forward with its treasure chest of art heritage in this country. There is no better way for us to communicate who we are to the mainstream of America. And as for Irfan Murtaza as he continues his art exhibitions and poetry, maybe his next work soon will detail his new home or focus on Nayay Ghar Kay Mosam?
Happy New Year to all our readers.
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