On the occasion of the 190th birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, The Aligarh Alumni Association of New England (AAANE) organized an International Mushaira on 20th October, 2007 at the Burlington Middle School, in Burlington, MA.

The program this year was the best ever witnessed in the New England area with an estimated 450 guests. Mr. Syed Ali Rizvi, the dynamic president of AAANE, has done a commendable job of reaching out to other area associations like the Indian Association of Greater Boston (IAGB), The Pakistani Association of Greater Boston (PAGB) The Indian Medical Association of New England (IMANE), the Association of Pakistani Physicians of New England (APPNE), The South Asia Harvard Law Students Association (SALSA) and Learnquest Academy and these were well represented at the Mushaira. The media partners Lokvani and Sounds of India did a great job of publicizing the event.

Mr. Rahat Indori, (who has written for many films including recent hits as Munna Bhai MBBS, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Murder etc.) and Khwamakhwah Hyderabadi, who has traveled around the globe and is famous for Mazahiya kalam (hilarious poetry) wherever urdu poetry is appreciated, came from India; and Ms. Zakia Ghazal who has extensively toured Europe, Australia, USA and Middle East with Dr. Akhtar Shumaar, well-known poet & a professor of urdu, traveled all the way from Pakistan. Other participating poets, like Raees Warsi, the well known name from New York, Mr. Javid Khan, a dedicated Sufi poet, Sarvar Iqbal a household name in the area, and the senior most of all, Mr. Kailash Mahir, the eloquent poet, all from Boston gave rare renditions and kept the audience enthralled. Ken Atri, a budding “Hindustani” poet, Mr. Tanvir Salim and the much talked, Mehdi Husnain “Moon”, the son of Mr. Ghaus Mathravi were added and welcome attractions to the event. The excellent turnout coupled with the wonderful “shairi” from these poets made the Mushaira a tremendous success.

The Aligarh Alumni Association of New England, AAANE is a charitable, secular, non-political and non-sectarian organization. Its membership apart from its alumni and their friends is open to all who believe in its mission. AAANE provides an ideal forum for people to build bridges and network and enjoy literary and cultural activities said Prof. Ashraf Khan, a founding member of the association.

The Aligarh Muslim University was conceptualized in Mohammedan Anglo Indian College in 1875 by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (1817-1898), a great Indian visionary and educationist. It achieved university status in 1920.The Aligarh Alumni Associations formed by AMU alumni all over the world celebrate Sir Syed Day with great enthusiasm.   In USA, this annual tradition has been kept alive since the 1980’s, when the Washington Chapter initiated the first Aligarh Mushaira. Then, a handful of students got together and invited a few select poets from within America and overseas, especially India, and arranged the “Nashisht” or “gathering” at a much smaller scale.

The Aligarh Mushaira tradition has come a long long way since then. There are nearly 19 Aligarh Alumni Associations spread over the major metropolis areas in North America that arrange Mushairas, namely, Atlanta (Georgia), Boston, (Massachusetts), Birmingham (Alabama), Chicago (Illinois), Cleveland (Ohio), Detroit (Michigan), Nashville (Tennessee), New York (New York), Orlando (Florida), Phoenix (Arizona), Washington D.C., Little Rock (Arkansas), Houston and San Antonio (Texas), Los Angeles and San Francisco (California), Salt lake City (Utah) and New Orleans. As more and more “chapters” join the list, the various alumni associations now coordinate their events via the Federation of Aligarh Alumni Associations, the apex body that does the ground work of selecting and inviting poets based upon inputs from its member associations.  

The program started with age-old customary recitation from the Holy Quran by Prof. Riaz Khan.

Mr. Syed Ali Rizvi, President of AAANE, gave a brief welcome address in Urdu, highlighted the various Programs and projects of AAANE, like the Adopt-a-Student, Adopt-a-Scholar, Adopt-a-Teacher, Adopt-A-Library, Adopt-A-school and the Sir Syed Excellence in Sciences (SSESA) awards and thanked the audience, poets, sponsors and volunteers for their continued support year after year. He fondly remembered the wonderful work done by Vinod Chungi, the Vice president of the Indian Association of Greater Boston, who suddenly passed away in October during his trip to India. Ali Rizvi, paid glowing personal tributes to Qurratulain Hyder, undoubtedly the biggest name in urdu literature of this century and the celebrated and legendary urdu writer who passed away on August 21 in New Delhi, India, and as mark of respect, requested the audience to observe a one-minute silence to pray for her soul. Ali Rizvi then handed the podium to Ms. Zakia Ghazal to conduct the program. The Mushaira got its start by its traditional “humd” recitation by Ms. Ghazal. Amidst thunderous applause from the audience, one-by-one the poets were invited on the stage. Mr. Khwamakhwah Hyderabadi graciously accepted its “Sadarat” which is typically done by a senior poet.

This year’s theme for the Mushaira was “Universal & Divine Love, Peace & Tolerance”. The Mushaira started slightly late than its scheduled time. There were two 100 minute sessions and each poet was initially called for 5-10 minutes. All had a chance to present their ‘Nazms, Ghazals, Geets, etc. This was followed by a 40 minutes intermission and then the second round followed. As this was the occasion of Eid Ul Fitr AAANE had arranged complimentary Siwayee, hot and cold drinks for all guests. Grain & Salt of Allston, catered sumptuous dinner packs at nominal charge.

Ken Atri from Boston came up with some touching couplets, like

Ai Khuda hame Tu De Dua, Koi Mil Jaaye jo samjhe  hameN
Yaadgaron ki tarah barte hameN, seeche hameN

Mehdi Husnain “Moon” delighted the audience with some light English-urdu mix hilarious couplets,
Aurton Ki Rahbari ka daur hai, who zamaana aur thah, yeh aur haiN;
Hongi woh Mister Toh Hum Honge Misses, Muamla kuch yeh bhi zere ghaur hai.

Mr. Tanvir Salim, the VP of AAANE and a budding poet, offered some serious and thought provoking couplets on today’s issues.

Rahat Indori, the popular and expressive poet, gave some very thought provoking couplets. One of his key highlights was the combination of his poetry with his bodily gestures, facial expressions and carefully monitored voice dilations and a constant dialogue with the audience. He presented most of his Shairi deeply inspired by politics and the day-to-day problems of the working class

Nishaane chook gaye,  sab nishan baqi hai
Shikaargah meiN khaali machaan baqi hai
Yeh aur baat ke ab khushbooen nahiN lekin
Hamare taaq meiN ik itrdaan baaqi haiN

Dr. Akhtar Shumaar pleasantly surprised the audience with his touching couplets on day to day issues on life and politics. A poet who delves into deep philosophical thoughts with the same ease as with truly tender thoughts on love and romance. One of his most appreciated couplet is;

Ya apne pao par mujhko girne se rok de;
Ya meri Larzishon Ko Ibadat Shumaar Kar.

Khwamakhwah Hyderabadi, a name which itself evokes laughter gave some fun Urdu anecdotes, followed with his usual light and hilarious shairi, on love, romance, youth, politics etc. His expertise lies in molding Urdu couplets by famous poets into well meaning, jovial expressions, like

Who barsi ki thi biryani, bani thi jo masale meiN
Chune Theh sabne chawal bait kar, din ke ujaala meiN
Nahin Maloom kyo aatey theh kankar har niwale MeiN,
Khuda baqshe bahut see Khoobiyan thi Marne Waale MeiN.

Zakia Ghazal, the only woman poet at the Mushaira enthralled the audiences with her melodious voice and touching poetry on life, love and reality and woman’s issues. Her carefully selected lyrics and her deliverance were equally appreciated as the content of her poetry. Her clear voice, ease of expression worked like a charm. One of her light couplets which comes to mind is

Maine maangi Thi Ujaaale Ki Faqat ek Kiran;
Tumse yeh Kisne Kaha Aag laga Di Jaaye

Kailash Mahir, a famed senior poet, widely read and enjoyed in India and USA and often seen in US Mushairas since 1991 delivered some very beautiful and meaningful thought provoking couplets in his deep voice.

HumnawaN milta Toh Awaaz ka sauda karte
Humn kahaN aa gaye Parchaiyeen Kaa Beecha kartey.
Din se Din Hote, Na yeh Raat si raateiN hotiN
Kissi Hamdard se jo, dard ka rishta  Karte..

The Syed Muhammad Jafri Foundation which has for the past five years supported the AAANE Mushairas, this year had a special treat in that Mr. Mahmood Jafri, the Director of the Foundation, on great public demand, read a few couplets from “Abstract Art” the hilarious poetry of his late father.

Har lateefe ko Latafat toh nahiN kah Saktey’
Badtameezee ko Zarafat Toh NahiN kah sakte.

After a tea-break, in appreciation of selfless services to its cause, AAANE awarded two plaques this year to Dr. Masarrat Ali and Ms. Homaira Nasim the past president and vice president of AAANE respectively. In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Masarrat thanked the audience and urged them to continue to build bridges for a meaningful coexistence. .
Ms. Homaira Nasim elaborated on her close ties with AMU and thanked AAANE for its recognition of her continued commitment.

After another round of some serious and not-so-serious poetry, the program ended at around after midnight with a vote of thanks by Tanvir Salim.

The guests were very happy with the Mushaira and commented aloud, that this was a great Mushaira organized in Boston after many years.

The Mushaira was such a hit that the next day another two dinner Nashishts was organized for all the poets at the residences of Mr. Vaid in Brookline and Mr. Zahid Ali in Shrewsbury, MA and both had packed audiences.

Later talking to the press, Prof Surriya Hussain, reiterated that Urdu is not a language of any particular religion and that this Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb is very prevalent in India and draws heavily from many languages and dialects, including Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Turkish, Arabic, Persian, Punjabi, Sindhi, Gujrati, etc.

Prof. Shehla Raza, a retired professor from AMU hoped that the Mushairas will continue to bring laughter and fun to the thousands of Indian and Pakistani families who crave for a regular taste of their culture and will enjoy its richness, beauty and soft expressions. Mr. Nasir Ali, President of Strategic Financial Services lauded the efforts by AAANE in arranging such programs. Mr. Khusro, Mr. Farooq and Mr. Ansari, said they thoroughly enjoy the Mushaira every year and hoped more of such events should be organized.

Dr. Anil Kumar of Advanced Pain Management Center, said that while he listens to  Ghazals, this was a rare occasion that he had come to a live-Mushaira and truly enjoyed the poetic expressions on wide ranging subjects…

Anupam and Neelam Wali of Printing and Graphics who are very active with the Indian American Community and always seen at most community events, sat through and enjoyed the evening and said that they worked closely with Ali Rizvi & Shabana Islam of AAANE to bring out the colorful Mushaira souvenir.  

Mr. Tahir Choudhury, president of PAGB, Harish Dang of Sounds of India and Arsh and Anil Mehrotra of Aap Ka manoranjan were visibly seen appreciating the serious and hilarious shairi of the poets. Said Anil that this was a rare event and he did not want to miss it and so had come with many friends.

Dr. Shaida Andrabi, the secretary of AAANE and the Chairman of the SSESA committee, said that these Mushairas bond us to our culture and asked for people to financially and morally support the bright students  for higher education in the US.

The event was also promoted and sponsored by Lokvani, which has been playing a truly significant role in building bonds and keeping the community abreast of the programs and events in the ever-growing South Asian community in New England.

Ali Rizvi, President of AAANE said, “The Mushairas play a significant role in the propagation of urdu poetry. We have to keep our culture alive and this is one of the ways of doing it. With the ever increasing immigrant population who understand Hindustani, which is the lingua franca in India and Pakistan, we hope to have more such events and provide a common platform to bond. Though there are many cultural events, Mushairas are more like literary functions and need to be promoted. For a place like Boston, with so many educational institutions of international repute, and a literary atmosphere, the Mushairas will soon find a firm footing. Nonetheless, these events can never be possible without the moral and financial support of sponsors and the volunteers who give valuable time which would otherwise have been rightly spent with families and friends”. To get more information or to join AAANE, please visit their web site, WWW.AAANE.US.

Dr. Shabana Islam the Editor of the English section spent countless hours with Razia Mashkoor (Editor _urdu section) and Neelam & Anupam Wali of Printing and Graphics Services to bring out the colorful tri-lingual Mushaira Magazine. In addition to the advertisements, it has some juicy tit-bits and articles in Hindi, Urdu and English and a write up on this year’s poets.

Apart from the Vice Chancellor of AMU, Prof Abdul Azis, the Hon’ble Governor of Massachusetts, Mr. Deval Patrick and Mr. Jim Cahill sent their best wishes to AAANE for organizing this wonderful event.

The Mushaira will be available for viewing on aapkamanoranjan.com and Lokvani.com. The still pictures taken by Suhaib Siddiqui and Mr. Farhan Ismail will be posted on the AAANE website. For getting a video copy of the Mushaira please contact Mr. Ali Rizvi, President, AAANE.

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