"Maut se Bachne ki ek tarkeeb hai  -  DoosroN ke Zehun meiN Zinda raho" -   Such was the advice the renowned poet Iqbal Ashhar of Delhi had offered to hundreds of Urdu lovers who had  gathered to listen to international and local poets on the occasion of the 199th birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.  Keeping up with its tradition the Aligarh Alumni Association of New England (AAANE) this year invited international and local poets.  Naseer Turabi (Pakistan), Iqbal Ashhar (India), Shakeel Azmi (india) and Haider Husnain Jaleesi (Pakistan) - local talent included: Dr. Saleem Khanani, Dr. Sana Qureshi, Muneebur Rahman, Gauhar Azmi, Aejaz Bhatt and Iqbal Danish. 

"All of us who graduated from Aligarh Muslim University are testimony to the vision of Sir Syed," said AAANE's President Dr. Noman Siddiqi in his welcome speech, "and now in turn we should advance his agenda."  Noman thanked his team and volunteers and took cognizant to the fact that an event of this magnitude can only be possible with great team work. He further added, "AAANE has and continues to promote the cause of education within local and international venues."

Iqbal Ashhar hailing from Delhi, India presided over the Mushaira quite well.   Ashhar in his own flowery language complimented Dr. Noman Siddiqi and his team for: "decorating this event with a beautiful bouquet of poets." Iqbal Ashhar kept the audience smiling and laughing with his amusing anecdotes and humorous remarks as he introduced the poets one after another.  Dr. Saleem Khanani, an oncologist by profession, recited his poetry:  

When Dr. Khanani finished  the last couplet, Ashhar told the audience, "Make sure that Khanani Sahab does not get a visa to visit Pakistan, anymore." 

Gauhar Azmi and Sana Qureshi started off the Mushaira with "Hamd-O-Naat" and when they were done Ashhar was quick to respond, "Now let's talk about a different Mehboob"

Iqbal Danish got ahead of his namesake as he looked at his watch and said he still had 4 minutes and 56 seconds remaining. His poem brought attention to the plight of children of Iraq - referring to the children as "Bomb ke tukron se Khelne wale". Danish drew rather a grim picture of the aftermath of the Iraqi war where not only uncountable innocent lives were destroyed but the infrastructure as well. 

“Bigri hoouai hai soorat-e-ahwaal dehkna

  Maazi ka aaj ho gya kya haal dekhna

Sab kuch chala gya hai zamane ke saath

 Danish na jai haat se, Iqbal dekhna”  

Haider Hussain Jaleesi and I may be a decade apart but we both lived a stone throw of each other on Tariq Road in Karachi and went to the same school: Habib Pubic  - as he revealed this to me at the Mushaira event, he went on to elaborate his affinity and passion for poetry goes back to a Mushaira that he attended and offered a couplet when he was only 8 years old. "Under the Sidarat of Qamar Jalalvi" Haider said proudly. Haider Jaleesi is known for his humorous poetry and today he was no different. He had the audience laughing as he eloquently shared some of his poetry:

"Khe Shaadi ke baad sher hua hain kamal ke

 Urdu durust ho gaee Begum ko paal ke 

 MuuN doh ke phailhi  baar wo jab ayee saamne

 Matlab samajh giya maiN Urooj-o-Zawal ke"

"Kuch dostoN ne Mujhse kaha Shaadi karlo phir

  Randave ki zindagi hai sarsar Malaal ki

Haami bhari to pit gayye Mister Kamal se

  Itna kaha tha Chahiye biwi kamal ki"

"Zabaan se unki main Inkar sunkar shaad hota hooN 

 Keh Urdu mein Nahin English mein wo In Car khaheti hai"

Iqbal Ashhar, enthralled the audience with his melodious voice as well as good poetry. He pointed out that it takes a long while before Shayeri takes its form and place in the adabi world. He managed to articulate this nicely in one line: "ITNI AASANI SE MILTI NAHIN FUN KI DAULAT     -  DAHL GAEE UMAR TO SHEROAN PE JAWANI AAEE" 

Iqbal Ashhar who is labeled by his fans: "Kush Gulu Shayer" - clearly lived up to his reputation when he recited "Urdu is my Name" in tarrunum .

Naseer Turabi the last poet to render his works was invited to the stage with utmost respect. Turabi was born in Hyderabad, Deccan but came to Pakistan after her independence. He went to University of Karachi in 1968, but began writing poetry in 1962.  His Ghazal "Woh Hamsafar Tha" was written on the separation of East Pakistan. Naseer Turabi praised the audience and the AAANE team and indicated that after seeing the enthusiasm and interest level shown here today the work of Ghazal will keep on flourishing. He read out a few couplets from some of his ghazals and the audience were deeply immersed.

"Vo shaqa jis ke liye sher kahe raha hooN Naseer  -  Ghazal sunaae huae usko ek zamana hua"

"Banka choNksa jaata sar-e-rah Naseer  -  Kisi aawaz this ye kisko bulati thi ye"