Mumbai is set to immerse itself in the rich
traditions of Urdu literature, art, and music as the Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya
Academy marks its golden jubilee with a grand celebration titled Bahar-e-Urdu.
The three-day cultural extravaganza, organised by the Minority Department of
Maharashtra, will be held at the iconic DOME SVP Stadium, Worli, on 6th, 7th
and 8th October 2025.
A
Festival of Words, Melody and Heritage
The event promises to be a confluence of
Urdu’s timeless charm — from thought-provoking seminars, panel discussions, and
storytelling sessions, to soulful renditions of ghazals, qawwali, and sufi
music. Exhibition stalls will add to the cultural mosaic, showcasing works that
celebrate Urdu’s literary and artistic journey.
Each
day will bring a unique mix of performances:
Day One (6th October) opens with an
exhibition and inaugural ceremony, followed by a stirring Qaumi Yakjehti Geet,
an Urdu theatrical drama, and a celebrity Mushaira featuring acclaimed poets.
The evening crescendo's into an awards distribution ceremony, a session with
humourist Surendra Sharma, a panel on Filmon Mein Urdu with Sachin Pilgaonkar
and Rumy Jafri and others, and an engaging Q&A session with Javed Akhtar
and Rumy Jafri. The show will be hosted by Shekhar Suman and Ali Asgar, closing
with a spirited Sufi/Qawwali night led by the legendary Sabri Brothers.
Day Two (7th October) continues the
celebration with a Mushaira by young poets, an academic seminar on the Urdu
language, a vibrant fashion show, and a dastangoi performance. The evening
highlights include a soulful Sufi performance by Jhelum Singh, alongside the
distribution of 156 awards across various categories. The day will be hosted by
Priya Malik and Imtiyaz Khaleel.
Day Three (8th October) is marked by
musical brilliance, featuring performances of sufi music, ghazals, and qawwali.
Highlights include Mushairas, theatrical performances, and a stirring qawwali
performance by Shabab Sabri. The finale will be hosted by Shekhar Suman,
culminating in a grand finale by none other than Padma Shri Anup Jalota, whose
ghazals have mesmerised audiences worldwide.
A
Living Legacy
Urdu has always been more than a language —
it is a bridge of cultures, emotions, and shared heritage. For fifty years, the
Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya Academy has nurtured this legacy, encouraging poets,
writers, artists, and performers to carry forward the flame. Bahar-e-Urdu is
not just a celebration of the past but also a promise for the future —
reaffirming the Academy’s commitment to preserve and promote Urdu’s beauty for
generations to come.
Event
Details
Dates: 6th, 7th, 8th October 2025
Timings: 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM (6th & 7th),
2:00 PM – 9:00 PM (8th)
Venue: Dome SVP Stadium, Lala Lajpatrai Marg,
Worli, Mumbai.
Bahar-e-Urdu – 50 Years of Maharashtra Urdu
Sahitya Academy
Day
1 – 6th October 2025
Hosts:
Shekhar Suman & Ali Asgar
Open Mic by Young Poets: Ishtiyaq Asar,
Abdussamad Safi, Abid Aseer, Riaz Matnavi, Ilyas Ghazi, Syed Shakir, Shadab
Hussain, Afroz Alam, Arif Inamdar, Amjad, Afsar, Tabish Akhtar, Sajid Akhtar
Opening Performance (Qaumi Yakjehti Geet):
Farkhanda, Kohinoor Music Academy
Urdu Theatrical Drama: Mujeeb Khan (Ishq
Jale To Jale Aisa), Sahil Ludhianvi
Mushaira (Celebrity Poets): Rajesh Reddy,
Ubaid Azam Azmi, Shakeel Azmi, Mehsar Afridi, Qamar Siddiqui, Shikha Awadesh
Q&A
Session: Javed Akhtar & Rumy Jafri
Panel Discussion – Filmon main Urdu: Sachin
Pilgaonkar, Rumy Jafri, Syed Qadri, moderated by Shekhar Suman
Hasya Kavi: Surendra Sharma
Sufi/Qawwali Night: Sabri Brothers
Day
2 – 7th October 2025
Hosts: Priya Malik & Imtiyaz Khaleel
Mushaira by Young Poets: Kayam Shah, Ahad
Saeed, Zain Lakhimpuri, Riyaz Matnavi, Afroz Alam, Syed Shakir, others
Seminar on Urdu Language: Dr. Abdullah
Fashion Show: Faruk Saiyed Group &
Bijnoi Ji
Dastangoi Performance: Fouziya (Meena
Kumari Play)
Sufi Night Performance: Jhelum Singh (Sufi
Music)
Awards Distribution: 156 awards across
categories
Day
3 – 8th October 2025
Host: Shekhar Suman
Open Mic by Young Poets: Sayyed Salman
Abbas, Ghulam Hussain, Azhar Shah, others
Bait Bazi (Urdu Poetry Contest): Rais High
School & Jr. College, Bhiwandi
Tamseeli Mushaira (Theatrical Mushaira):
Zahid Ali
Urdu Theatrical Drama: Iqbal Niyazi
Mushaira by Young Poets: Kaleem Samar and
others
Qawwali Night: Shabab Shanti
Grand Finale – Ghazals: Padma
Shri Anup Jalota
