The unique Urdu Festival of Jashn-e-Rekhta 2017 was held on 17th to 19th February at IGNCA, Delhi. It was the third edition of the festival and was inaugurated by Gulzar and Ustad Amjad Ali.
Over 100 distinguished writers, poets, artists, singers and acclaimed personalities from the Urdu fraternity participated in the poetry festival.
The Jashn-e-Rekhta Urdu Festival displayed the love for Urdu language from all sects of people, who also submitted to the grace of Sufism with Hans Raj Hans and a qawwali performance by Students from Hosla Charitable Trust and phrases from Annu Kapoor.
The Jashn-e-Rekhta festival witnessed sessions like Ghalib, Hali and Urdu Renaissance, Urdu Mein Insaan-dosti ka Naghma and a discussion on Urdu literature. Away from the chaos and cacophony of parochial Indian politics, the festival successfully promoted the rich literary and cultural heritage of Urdu by celebrating its versatility and splendor.
The finest traditions of Dsatan Goi (Story Telling) were revived in its excellent form by expert artists and narrators. There were Mushairas (poetic sessions), Qawwalis and Baitbazi (Urdu Antakshari). Renowned poet-lyricist Gulzar talked about the Love for Urdu and inspirations.
“Jashn-e-Rekhta is an extension of the same commitment to reclaim our rich heritage. With the festival I have seen Urdu starting to resonate among hundreds of thousands of people cutting across age, gender, social, economic, religious or geographical divides,” Dr Sanjiv Saraf, founder of Rekhta Foundation quoted.
