Celebrating Hindi and Urdu culture, literature

New Delhi

When the doyens of Indian literature, cinema, theatre, dance, music and poetry descend on one platform to celebrate all things culture, we know the city is in for a treat! The second phase of the 10th edition of Jashn-e-Adab is being conducted in a hybrid format and comprises dastangoi, mushaira, kavi sammelan, and performances of qawwali, folk, ghazal, classical dance and music, theatre, and baitbazi (a verbal game played by composing verses of Urdu poems).

The ongoing festival is featuring noted personalities from the culture space, at the different sessions. Renowned Hindi poet and professor Ashok Chakradhar, who will speak about Hindi language, at the festival, says: “Poetry or shayari is the basic thread of creativity, and one can see that rhythm in all forms of art and culture, whether theatre or music. Is festival ne kala ke sabhi roopon ko apne andar shaamil kiya hai. Even during the pandemic, people stayed connected to it because they didn’t let the baatcheet ka silsila break, thanks to their online platforms. Aur ab dheere dheere jab pandemic ka darr kam hua hai, hum apne gharon se bahar aane lage hain, aur culture mein saans lene lage hai.”

The second day of the festival will have a recital by Kathak exponent Vidha Lal and her disciplines. “This is the fourth or fifth time I’m participation in this event. And most of the times I’ve used Sufi poetry to amalgamate it with Kathak. This time, I will be starting my recital with a bandish in Raag Bhairav. Then I’d be performing a solo, showcasing the repertoire of Jaipur gharana. And to culminate the evening, because we are also celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, I will perform a qawwali on Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna Ab Humare Dil Mein Hai,” she says.

Sharing her thoughts on performing physically in a cultural festival, Lal opines that “It’s very important for any artist to be part of such cultural activities because after the pandemic, it’s the only breather we have with a live audience. For the artist to be on the stage, is a very beautiful thing, it’s a kind of utsav, or joyous celebration.”

Actor Raghubir Yadav, who will have a conversation on literature, theatre and cinema, at the festival, says, “Hindi literature and poetry have a special place in my life. They have helped me hone my skills as an artist and grow as a person. During the lockdowns, reading the works of our legendary Indian writers was the only entertainment I chose and enjoyed. The works books and poetry of our Indian writers such as Ghalib, are timeless and I don’t get tired of reading and re-reading them. Every time I get something new out of them… This festival is a great initiative to celebrate the depths and vibrance of our Indian culture and literature. I have personally enjoyed attending and participating in this festival. They should be applauded for keeping the traditional formats alive in the modern world.”

Poet Kunwar Ranjeet Chauhan, founder-curator, says, “Culture fills colour in our life. When we organise this festival, we try to bring the glory of India, all the modes and facets of culture, and the artists together… Many performing artists are in bad shape after the pandemic, so there have to be avenues to support them. It can be a morale booster for others also to organise such events. And I hope it’s attended by the young generation because they must know what India is all about.”

Catch It Live

What: Jashn-e-Adab

Where: India International Centre (Entry by invitation only);

www.facebook.com/Jashneadab/

On till: December 19

Timing: 10am to 8pm

Nearest Metro Station: Jor Bagh on Yellow Line and JLN Stadium on Violet Line

Author tweets @siddhijainn

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