The event drew a full house—with guests even standing along the walls—and a lively online audience from Pakistan, India, Australia, Canada, Europe, and across the U.S. The program paid tribute not only to the book, but to a man whose life has been deeply intertwined with keeping Urdu alive in New England for nearly half a century.

A Heartfelt Opening

The program began with a brief prayer by Mrs. Homaira Kirmani, whose grace and warmth set the tone for the afternoon. Many in the gathering acknowledged that her steady support over decades has made much of the author’s literary work possible.

Grandchildren—Sophie Ponda, Nadia Chohan and friends Noor Shah, and Nasr Shah—managed the book table, handing over pre-reserved copies that had been lovingly personalized by the author himself. Their presence brought an intimate family warmth to the event.

A Tribute from Family

In his role as the emcee, Syed Ali Rizvi welcomed the audience and shared context about the book’s creation, its historical value, and its tri-lingual accessibility—Urdu script, Urdu transliteration, and English translation.

Rizvi then invited the Kirmani family to the stage to present a plaque of appreciation to Mrs. Homaira Kirmani. Her daughter Mishloo Kirmani, who had traveled from California for the event, read the inscription—a moment that brought long applause and visible emotion across the room.

An Intellectual Opening by Ameek Ponda

The author was introduced by Ameek Ponda, a respected tax law expert and a thoughtful voice in the South Asian community. Mr. Ponda reflected on Maarij Kirmani not only as a father-in-law but as an intellectual companion who cultivated a literary environment in Boston long before it was fashionable.

He drew connections to classical poets, quoted verses fitting for the occasion, and reminded the audience that the Kirmani grandchildren will one day take pride in the literary legacy their grandfather has preserved.

The Author Speaks: Stories, Laughter, and History

Maarij Kirmani then took the stage in three short segments, each followed by comments from the audience.

He gave an overview of how the book came to be—a culmination of decades spent hosting and engaging with literary legends, many of whose candid conversations, jokes, and private reflections appear in the book for the first time.

He read from:

· Unpublished chapters

· His celebrated short story “Ek Lamhe Ka Khuda”

· A humorous piece about the complications of marriage, divorce, and remarriage

The audience responded with laughter, nostalgia, and admiration.

Reflections from Scholars & Community Voices

Several respected members of the community spoke briefly, appreciating the book and the author:

· Mr. Irfan, visiting from Canada with his wife, shared heartfelt memories of his decades-long friendship with Kirmani and humorously gave credit to Mrs. Kirmani for “making all of this possible.”

· Mr. Aami Jafri, son of the renowned poet Ada Jafri, reflected on his early impressions of the book and called it “a valuable contribution to the documented history of Urdu in America.”

· Imran Kidwai reminisced about finding comfort and guidance in Boston because of the Kirmani family’s affection and mentorship.

· Prof. Razzaque Ahmad, a renowned dermatologist and a lover of Urdu, noted that he had cancelled another engagement just to attend, calling the book “a preservation of identity.”

· Dr. Ghazala Alam highlighted how she has learned from Kirmani’s statesmanship and how the book captures memories that would otherwise be lost.

· Prof. Deeba Husain spoke of the deep role Urdu played in her upbringing and pointed out the academic value of the book in its historical detail and accessible format.

· Dr. Yogeshwar Dayal expressed his admiration for the effort put into documenting a literary movement in New England and said he looked forward to reading it fully.

· Kumkum Dilwali, with her characteristic elegance, shared her enthusiasm for the book and said she would savor its nostalgic and historical richness.

Comments flowed naturally throughout the afternoon, turning the launch into a community celebration of shared cultural memory.

A Gesture of Giving

The Kirmani family announced that all proceeds from the book will be donated to charitable causes. A suggested donation of $20 was mentioned, though guests were encouraged to contribute any amount. Payments were accepted by check, Venmo, or Zelle.

Celebrating Language, Legacy, and Community

The event was recorded by Ali Rizvi and Sachin Gupta (a PhD scholar at UMass and an emerging poet), with photographs also contributed by both.

As the program concluded, Samia Kirmani delivered a warm vote of thanks, sharing endearing stories from her childhood about poets who visited their home and the lively literary atmosphere created by her parents.

About the Book

“Fragrance of Urdu in Boston” is a unique tri-lingual work capturing the evolution of Urdu in the New England region. It blends memoir, reportage, and translation, and offers readers—scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike—a rare window into the Boston-based gatherings that once hosted giants like Faiz, Faraz, Parveen Shakir, Kaifi Azmi, and many others.

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