• On stage, Shabana Azmi recalled memories of her father, poet Kaifi Azmi, and his contribution towards the Urdu language. This year marks 100 years since he was born. All photos courtesy Bazm-e-Urdu
    On stage, Shabana Azmi recalled memories of her father, poet Kaifi Azmi, and his contribution towards the Urdu language. This year marks 100 years since he was born. All photos courtesy Bazm-e-Urdu
  • Bollywood lyricist and writer Irshad Kamil (in black), who has written songs for hit films such as 'Jab We Met', 'Rockstar', 'Love Aaj Kal' and 'Chameli' among others, was given the Kaifi Azmi Award.
    Bollywood lyricist and writer Irshad Kamil (in black), who has written songs for hit films such as 'Jab We Met', 'Rockstar', 'Love Aaj Kal' and 'Chameli' among others, was given the Kaifi Azmi Award.
  • Rehan Khan, president of the organiser of the event, Bazm-e-Urdu, was the host of the evening function.
    Rehan Khan, president of the organiser of the event, Bazm-e-Urdu, was the host of the evening function.
  • Urdu-speaking families were part of the crowd in the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, Dubai
    Urdu-speaking families were part of the crowd in the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, Dubai
  • Dr Mala Mehra, left, is principal at Lucknow's Hoerner College and received her award from Kanwaljit Singh and Tanvi Azmi.
    Dr Mala Mehra, left, is principal at Lucknow's Hoerner College and received her award from Kanwaljit Singh and Tanvi Azmi.
  • Kanwaljit Singh is welcomed by the organisers Bazm-e-Urdu
    Kanwaljit Singh is welcomed by the organisers Bazm-e-Urdu
  • Dr Gopi Chand Narang, left, was awarded for his outstanding services to Urdu literature.
    Dr Gopi Chand Narang, left, was awarded for his outstanding services to Urdu literature.
  • Muhammad Ahmed Shah, left, was awarded for his dedication and services to the Urdu language in Pakistan
    Muhammad Ahmed Shah, left, was awarded for his dedication and services to the Urdu language in Pakistan
  • Urdu-speaking families were part of the crowd in Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, Dubai
    Urdu-speaking families were part of the crowd in Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, Dubai

On Stage

Shabana Azmi honours Urdu heroes at Dubai event held in memory of her father Kaifi Azmi

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Kaifi Azmi's birth

Kumar Shyam
Kumar Shyam
Abu Dhabi

September 01, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

The Dubai arm of non-profit organisation Bazm-e-Urdu honoured achievers who have worked to promote the language at an event on Friday, while also holding a musical tribute to the famous poet Kaifi Azmi at Sheikh Rashid Auditorium in Oud Mehta.

The event was attended by noted film star Shabana Azmi, daughter of the late poet, as well as her sister-in-law Tanvi Azmi and actor Kanwaljit Singh.

This year marks the birth centenary of Kaifi Azmi.

The evening's programme was divided into three segments – a musical tribute with Bollywood singers Mohammed Salamat and Sangita Melekar, the award ceremony for four achievers and a stage talk show called Ru-Ba-Ru with Shabana Azmi.

The four award winners this year are:

1) Josh-e-Urdu Award: Dr Gopi Chand Narang (Indian theorist, literary critic and scholar)

2) Alamdar-e-Urdu Award: Muhammad Ahmed Shah (President, Arts Council of Pakistan)

3) Pasban-e-Urdu Award: De Mala Mehra (Principal, Hoerner College, Lucknow, India)

4) Kaifi Azmi Award: Irshad Kamil (Poet, writer, lyricist)

The host organisation Bazm-e-Urdu Dubai is a non-political group that was founded by Rehan Khan, and holds seminars, tributes, talk shows, poetry sessions, contests, dramas, etc in the hope to revitalise the Urdu language in the community.

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