Language, history, and culture influence the fast-moving course of the future: M Syeed Alam

Ameer Khusrau’s poetry, to the movies of Bollywood, Urdu has been the language of romance and love. With its sophistication and gentleness, the Urdu language has elegantly managed to unite more than 1.5 billion people and now, you can now witness the grace and refinement of Urdu at the Mehfil-e-Urdu 2021 brought to you by Bazm-E-Urdu Dubai on the 4^th of November 2021.

Mehfil-e-Urdu will host an exciting poetic presentation of, ‘Mushaira-e-Raftgaan’. An abridged form of history in Urdu poetry, it brings together Urdu poetry’s famous figures in a creative and poetic time warp. Mushaira-E-Raftgaan traces, in the most entertaining manner possible, the history of Urdu poetry: From the 13th century to the contemporary times thus, from Ameer Khusrau to Parveen Shakir.

Talking to The Brew the writer and director of Mushaira-e-Raftgaan, Dr. M Sayeed Alam, said that In these times, when several theatre groups resort to slapstick comedy, Pierrot Troupe stages comedy plays with history and literature as their mainstay.

Sayeed Alam added that Mushaira-E-Raftagaan entertains you with the rise of Urdu Poetry from the 13th century till today. Yes, it is a highly entertaining drama without really conforming to the very basics of drama – Action and Romance and clash of character. It has a blend of humour, history, and histrionics. One will not have many opportunities in one’s lifetime to such performance. The shows, which explore unity in diversity, target the shared heritage from the subcontinent and it reminds us that the chimes of the past leave reverberations even in the now. these shows educate but more than that they entertain, as history shapes, and more than that corrects, the fast-moving course of the future.

Bazm E Urdu in collaboration with Sharjah Book Authority is also organizing a free screening of “Ghalib In New Delhi” at Sharjah International Book Fair on 5^th of November, 2021 – It is supposedly India’s longest-running comedy. Premiered in 1997, the play has 524 shows to its credit, Pierrot’s Troupe’s Ghalib In New Delhi.

While talking about the Ghalib in New Delhi, Sayeed Alam said that I hope the play acquires new dimensions after the outbreak of Covid. Ghalib shall remain the mainstay of Indian literature and Pierrot’s Troupe. It humorously reflects

How it is going to be different from your last Ghalib in Dubai, Sayeed Alam informed that This time Ghalib will encounter all the developments that took place in India and globally since we performed the play in Dubai in 2018.     

The entire plot revolves around Ghalib striving against an omnipotent identity crisis, beginning with the occupants of his ‘Haveli’ mistaking him as Ghalib’s ‘Jinn’. In the later stage of play, in desperate need of recognition, Ghalib decides to ‘sell’ himself. Ghalib then opts for an advertising agency to perpetuate his presence in the minds of the people. What is the fate of Ghalib? Does his rebirth spell further disaster? Is Delhi a mere travesty of his hopes and aspirations? The answer lies in watching Ghalib in New Delhi, a laugh riot posing some serious questions about the stagnating codes.

Talking about Urdu, Sayeed Alam said that Urdu is like Buddhism. It is spreading well at the global level and getting shrunk in its birthland – Hindustan. Urdu performers are facing the challenge of a lack of technology to reach thousands of people at a given point in time as do the films.

He advises newcomers in the arena of Urdu performances, he said that being honest and committed to the art is the key, nothing pays, but perseverance. He also added that don’t encourage people to watch your talent free of cost with a view to getting instant publicity. Pierrot’s was formed in 1989 by a gentleman named Ashok Purang. I joined it in 1994. Ever since, the troupe has performed about 1500 good, average and bad shows of about 50 plays all over India and abroad.           

Date, Venue, and Ticket:

04, November 2021 – Thursday

Al Thuraya Ball Room, Holiday Crowne Plaza, Deira, Dubai

Ticket for the beautiful and entertaining evening by Bazm-E-Urdu are available at https://www.q-tickets.com/uae/Events/EventsDetails/9048/mehfileurdu-2021

For the free passes of Ghalib in New Delhi, readers can reach to Bazm-E-Urdu on [email protected] or WhatsApp +971-54 477 7445