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A tribute to Joan Eliah

DUBAI - Mushaira 2003, organised by the Majlis-e-Farogh-e-Urdu Adab, Dubai-Doha at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Friday, was a spontaneous expression of love from the city of Dubai for the renowned poet Joan Eliah whose verses have been a constant source of delight and inspiration for poetry lovers for years.

The mushaira, which brought together prominent Urdu poets to pay homage to the late Pakistani poet, was ironically a deviation from the annual tradition of honouring a living legend.

Ahmad Faraz, who presided over the event, called it a fitting tribute to Joan, a stalwart of modern Urdu ghazal. Poets recited verses and admired his honest view of life.

Faraz concluded the event with some of his scintillating verses. The art of ghazal ruled the roost, as ever.

Those who recited their works included Dr Qasim Pirzada, Ataul Haq Qasimi, Munir Saifi, Ayub Khawar, Aslam Kolsari, Azm Behzad, Ajmal Siraj, Ambreen Haseeb and Rashid Noor from Pakistan, Nida Fazli, Mairaj Faizabadi, Manzar Bhopali, Azhar Inayati, Charan Singh Bashar, Azm Shakiri, Popular Meeruti and Sunita Raina from India, Ashfaq Hussain from Canada, Shaukat Ali Naz from Qatar and Tasneem Abidi from the UAE.

The poets reflected all contemporary trends in their verses from romantic to thought-provoking themes with political overtones at times.

Nida Fazili, who sang the songs of love and friendship recited some Duhas as well.

Dr Qasim Pirzada, Azhar Inayati, Manzar Bhopali, Azam Behzad, Azm Shakiri and Sunita Raina kept the flag of tarrannum (melodious rendition) flying. Rashid Noor compered the mushaira, while Popular Meeruti kept the audience in good humour with his witty quartets and couplets.

Earlier, Shahida Jafri welcomed the audience promising once again that the tradition of international Urdu mushaira set in Dubai by the late Salim Jafri in 1986 would be followed with new vigour.

So far, 15 annual mushairas have been organised in Dubai. Khumar Barabankvi, Ahmed Faraz, Kunwar Mehander Singh Bedi Sehar, Joan Eliah, Qateel Shifai, Jagan Nath Azad, Mehshar Badayuni, Kaifi Azmai, Dr Pirzada Qasim, Ali Sardar Jafri, Shehzad Ahmed, Bashir Badr and Amjad Islam Amjad have so far been honoured at these events.organisers to Joan, a stalwart of modern Urdu ghazal. Poets recited verses in Joan's peculiar style and admired his honest view of life.

Faraz concluded the mushaira with some of his scintillating verses. The ghazal ruled the roost as ever. Those who recited their works included Dr Qasim Pirzadah, Ataul Haq Qasimi, Munir Saifi, Ayub Khawar, Aslam Kolsari, Azm Behzad, Ajmal Siraj, Ambreen Haseeb and Rashid Noor from Pakistan, Nida Fazli, Mairaj Faizabadi, Manzar Bhopali, Azhar Inayati, Charan Singh Bashar, Azm Shakiri, Popular Meeruti and Sunita Raina from India, Ashfaq Hussain from Canada, Shaukat Ali Naz from Qatar and Tasneem Abidi from the UAE.

The poets reflected all contemporary trends in their verses from romantic to thought-provoking themes with political undertones at times. Nida Fazili, who sang the songs of love and friendship recited some Duhas as well for a change.

Dr Qasim Pirzada, Azhar Inayati, Manzar Bhopali, Azam Behzad, Azm Shakiri and Sunita Raina kept the flag of tarrannum (melodious rendition) flying, while Mairaj Faizabadi and Charan Singh Bashar stuck to their dramatic style of tah-tul-lafz, leaving the audience completely spell-bound.

Rashid Noor compered the mushaira, while Popular Meeruti kept the audience in good humour with his witty quartets and couplets.

Earlier, Shahida Jafri welcomed the audience promising once again that the tradition of international Urdu mushaira set in Dubai by the late Salim Jafri in 1986 would be followed with new vigour. So far, 15 annual mushairas have been organised in Dubai. The poets who were honoured at these mushairas included Khumar Barabankvi, Ahmed Faraz, Kunwar Mehander Singh Bedi Sehar, Joan Eliah, Qateel Shifai, Jagan Nath Azad, Mehshar Badayuni, Kaifi Azmai, Dr Pirzadah Qasim, Ali Sardar Jafri, Shehzad Ahmed, Bashir Badr and Amjad Islam Amjad.

Shahida along with Museebur Rehman, founder of the Majlis-e-Farogh-Adab, Doha, and Aslam Malik, Secretary of the Dubai Majlis, also presented the special souvenir of the mushaira to Ahmad Faraz.

Al Rawabi was the main sponsor of the mushaira, while ARY, Swisstar, Geco, PIA and HUM FM were co-sponsors.