On Saturday, the 20th of April, Silver Oaks Community Centre came alive with the vibrant energy of ‘Jashn-e-Poetry’, a cultural evening dedicated to the timeless art of verse. The event drew-in a multitude of residents, all eagerly prepared to immerse themselves in the captivating world of poetry. At the heart of the evening were Mr. Tariq Raza and Mr. Vivek Anand, who graced the stage with their recitations of carefully chosen kalams of shayari. Their selection covered rich themes – from humanity and self-respect to friendship, betrayal, and the complexities of love and sorrow. The two gentlemen didn’t just recite poetry; they brought it to life! What also set their performance apart was their genuine commitment to enriching the audience’s experience by explaining the nuances of specific Urdu words, enhancing the pleasure of listening and deepening the listener’s understanding of the poetry. The audience was treated to a diverse array of poetic expressions. Their repertoire included works by renowned poets such as Shakeel Badayuni, Majaz Lakhnawi, Krishn Bihari Noor, Wasim Barelvi, Nida Fazli, Salman Akhtar, Javed Akhtar, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Gulzar, Qamar Jalalabadi, and many more luminaries of Urdu literature. A moment of pure delight was when 8-year-old, Jhanvi, took the stage alongside Mr. Raza, charming everyone with her rendition of K. B. Noor’s lovely nazm “Zindagi.” Throughout the evening, the hall of the Community Center echoed with the symphony of joyful human emotions – laughter and applause, together ringing out in chorus. There were also moments of quiet contemplation – moments where the weight of the words spoken on the stage, hung heavy in the air stirring some deep emotions within the hearts of those present. And in those moments, time seemed to stand still as people surrendered to the gentle waves of verses, allowing themselves to be carried away by the soulful words and their profound meanings. As the cultural evening drew to a close, attendees left with their hearts brimming with inspiration, carrying the magic of the poetry into the night with them.
Following this mesmerising session of shayari, the attendees were treated to a sumptuous dinner by ‘Koyla Kebabs’ from Delhi. The flavours of the cuisine served as a fitting accompaniment to the poetic feast that had unfolded earlier. ‘Yes Bank’, the supporting partner, captured the essence of the evening through the lens of their cameras. In the present world where we often find ourselves swept away by the currents of isolation due to our overexposure to social media with constant updates, likes and shares – the art of listening can sometimes seem to get lost in the noise. This event served as a reminder of the power of coming together, to set aside our screens, and to TRULY LISTEN – to immerse ourselves in the stories, and emotions of others as conveyed through the medium of poetry – the raw, unfiltered expression of the human experiences.
