Farzana Mansoor
DUBAI (UAE): The classic tradition of Mushaira was brought to life once again with the highly anticipated HBL-Sharaf Exchange Applause Adab Mushaira, held at the Pakistan Association Dubai. This marked the third edition of the HBL-Sharaf Exchange Corporate Mushaira, hosted by Applause Adab, with each event surpassing expectations in grandeur and literary excellence.
The evening featured an illustrious lineup of renowned poets, from emerging voices to the highly respected Sadr-e-Mushaira, Anwar Shuoor. The Mushaira was elegantly moderated by Mansoor Usmani, a seasoned poet and veteran Mushaira convener, whose eloquence captivated the audience. Adding to the constellation of literary stars were prominent poets such as Manzar Bhopali, Farhat Abbas Shah, Rajesh Reddy, Popular Meeruthi, Iqbal Ashar, Nadeem Bhabha, Mehshar Afridi, Tariq Qamar, Fauzia Rabab, and Zaheer Mushtaq Rana.
The event was graced by Khaqan Mohammed Khan, HBL’s Head of Remittances Strategy, along with his team. Addressing the distinguished gathering, Imad ul Malik, CEO of Sharaf Exchange, emphasized the role of this Mushaira and other Applause Adab initiatives in fostering connections among people with a shared cultural and literary heritage. He highlighted the importance of preserving the “Ganga-Jamuni” tahzeeb, the harmonious blend of cultures from the Indian subcontinent.
A key highlight of the evening was the launch of Farhat Abbas Shah’s book, Shaam Ke Baad, in the Devanagari script, an effort to bridge the gap between Urdu literature and those who love the language but are unable to read the Urdu script.
Aijaz Shaheen was bestowed “Mohsin-e-Urdu” Award for his contributions towards urdu language in UAE.
With a full house of nearly 1000 attendees, from the youth to senior citizens, the Mushaira commenced at 9:00 PM and continued for five mesmerizing hours. The audience’s enthusiasm never waned as they applauded the profound and exquisite poetry recited throughout the night.
The evening’s proceedings were masterfully hosted by Tarannum Ahmed, who, with her unique style, added an extra layer of charm to the event.
