Turaznama: An Evening of Dance, Music and Poetry with the Bollywood Famed A. M. Turaz

Event Date and Time: Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Venue: 1858 Town House, 3 Sanger Street, Sherborn, MA 01770

In the Greater Boston area, the auditorium lights dimmed and hearts awakened to the rhythm of poetry, music, dance and emotion. Turaznama, a tribute to the Bollywood lyricist and poet A. M. Turaz, unfolded as a resounding success, both artistically and emotionally. For the many who attended, it was more than just a cultural evening. It was an intimate journey into the heart and mind of a poet whose works have moved millions.

From the opening welcome by Dr. Mohsin Alvi, CEO of Symbian Health who set the tone with heartfelt remarks about the significance of celebrating contemporary poets in our cinematic and cultural landscape, the evening carried a refined air of reverence and warmth. Anchored with grace and poise by Mr. Siraj Khan, the program unfolded like a screenplay, carefully crafted to capture the many shades of Turaz’s creative journey.

Turaz is not merely a lyricist whose songs grace major Bollywood films. He is, above all, a seeker of truth through poetry—his words reflecting a lived experience of love, loss, longing, and resilience. The interviews, thoughtfully conducted by Ms. Sunayana Kachroo, an acclaimed poet, writer, and producer herself, allowed the audience to witness the deeply human and philosophical layers of the man behind the pen.

From his childhood in Muzzafanagar, India and the early days of scribbling poetry in the margins of notebooks, to his collaborations with filmmakers like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Turaz spoke with openness and vulnerability. He revealed how inspiration often springs from pain, how metaphors are sometimes drawn from memory, and how the poet in him constantly wrestles with the world and within.

The program wove together interviews, dance, music, and poetry with seamless transitions. Along with her team, Ms. Pooja Tiwari, founder and director of Dancing Divas Performing Arts, offered stunning dance renditions that gave visual form to Turaz’s lyrical world. Her solo performance to "Chaudveen Shab Ko" from Heeramandi was hauntingly graceful, while the group’s energetic portrayal of "Ghoomar" transported the audience into the grand visuals of Padmaavat.

Musical interludes by Dr. Meena Sundaram, a practicing cardiologist and accomplished vocalist, and Mr. Tahir Iftekhaar, an IT professional and seasoned performer provided

soul-stirring interpretations of Turaz’s compositions. Whether it was the ethereal "Udi" from Guzaarish, or the melancholic "Kabhi Toh Badal Barse", the songs reminded us of how Turaz’s poetry transcends genre and format. Each note carried with it not just melody, but memory.

Perhaps the most powerful moments were those where Turaz recited his own poems. With minimal accompaniment and maximum emotion, he brought to life the raw power of language. His segment on "Pain, Loss, Love and a Poet" left the audience visibly moved—many wiping away tears, some lost in thought. He reminded us that poetry is not performance; it is presence. And in that moment, Turaz’s presence was overwhelming in the best way.

His closing recital, featuring selections from his lesser-known non-film poetry, was the crescendo of the evening. Recited in a voice weathered by experience and polished by conviction, these verses delved deep into existential questions, spiritual yearnings, and the timeless ache of human fragility.

The evening closed with Dr. Mohsin Alvi returning to the stage for the closing remarks, this time joined by the entire team that made Turaznama possible. Their presence on stage was a quiet yet powerful statement of collective effort and artistic camaraderie.

In his concluding words, Dr. Alvi remarked, “Tonight, we didn’t just celebrate a poet—we celebrated what it means to feel deeply and express it bravely.” That sentiment captured the essence of the evening.

As the curtains fell, the applause lingered. And perhaps, somewhere in the quiet that followed, a few hearts resolved to write again, to feel again, to speak truth again. Because that’s what great poetry—and great poets—do.