In the late 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, Mushaira was the only avenue of entertainment and creativity for the upper classes.  Over the years it has come out of homes to public spaces.

“I knew that all of you understand the Mushaira’s, since it has been presented in the New England area for many years now and has been well received as well. It is the “TAMSEELI MUSHAIRA” which I introduced for the first time here.  I conceived this idea from the Farhat Ullah Baig’s (1883 – 1948) novel “Delhi Ki Akhri Shama”. More than  half century ago, Mirza Baig wrote a novel “Delhi ki Akhri Shama” (The last candle of Delhi empire), in which he described the last Mushaira in the “Mughal Darbar” . This enactment depicted glimpses of the culture, manners, pursuits and ideals of the highly cultivated Mughal society of the time as well as displayed the blooming of Urdu language and the ghazal form in the voices of the greatest Urdu poets of the time such as Ghalib, Momin khan Momin, Ibrahim Zauq, Dagh Dahelvi and Prince Mirza Fakhru. The court had a tradition of hosting an annual Mushaira at the Red Fort. After the ‘Decline of Delhi’,  Mushaira came out from Darbar to the public places, and is now a popular form of sharing and entertaining.” – Razia Mashkoor

Sept 29^th, 2012 was the date set for the Tamseeli Mushaira named “Chopaal” at Bedford Plaza Hotel, Bedford, MA.  Razia Mashkoor came forward to try to present the same concept in a customized manner. She chose the newer poets instead, actually making it more fun experience for those participating as well as attending.

Preparation: “It was a wonderful collection of passionate people reciting poetry of the best poets and poetesses of our time. We have some wonderful memories made through this experience, Salman Dar (Majrooh Sultanpuri) had his cap delivered by overnight FedEx from Seattle, WA.  Siraj Khan (Ahmad Faraz) special ordered electronic cigarette and an eye glasses frame which matches Ahmad Faraz style.  Pankaj Shah (Dilawar Figrar) shaved his beard and mustaches and colored his hair.”  Razia Mashkoor’s  sister sent the banners from India to complete the picture.

The Chopaal Team. Guest Poets:

Salman Dar: (Majrooh Sultanpuri)
Hum ko junoo kiya sikhlatay hu hum thay parishaN tum say ziyada
Chaak kiay hain hum nay azizun chaar gareebaN tum say ziyada

Siraj Khan: ( Ahmad Faraz)
Suna hay log usay aankh bhar kay daikhtay hain
So uskay shaher main kuch dair teher kay daikhtay hain

Harish Dang: ( Gopaldas Neeraj)
Jin Mushkilo main muskurana hu mana
Un mushkilo main muskurana dharam hay

Shua Arshad Khan; (Parveen Shakir)
Ko ba ko phail gaee baat shanasai ki
Mairi khushbo ki tarhaN usnay pazeerai ki

Humaira Kirmani: (Zehra Nigah)
Suna hay jungluN ka bhi koi dastoor huta hay

Akhtari Alam: (Fehmida Riaz)
Main jaisaee bhi huN achchi buri apnay leeay huN
Main khood ko nahi daikhti aoruN ki nazar say

Meena Sundaram: ( Kishwar Naheed)
Pehan kay zakhm ka malboos apnay ghar jana
Samait lo kay phir sham ko hay bhikhar jana

Kumkum Parekh Malik: ( Azra Naqvi)
Ik qissa-e-pareena kay kirdar hain hum log
Guzree huee tehzeeb kay Asaar hain hum log

Pankaj Shah: (Dilawar Figar)
Main nay kaha kay shaher main pani ka qehat hay
Usnay kaha kay pepsi kola piya karo

Local Poets: Some of the local talented poets recited their poetry to engage the audiences in a feast of words, emotions, laughter and appreciation. Kiran Nath, Javed Zaidi, Mahmood Alam, Shakher Shastri, Razia Mashkoor, each presenting in their own unique ‘andaaz’.

The whole evening was extremely entertaining and was very well appreciated, and all participants were congratulated for their fantastic presentations.

Not knowing what to really expect from the evening other than recitation of some poetry, Mrs. Gauri Chandna decided to attend Tamseeli Mushaira along with her husband, mainly because some of her friends were participating and others including Sharda Jha, Prakash Jha and Pratibha Shah were planning to attend. While entering she was warmly welcomed by Mr. Harish Dang dressed as the poet Gopaldas Niraj, holding a tempting hot cup of tea. That totally set the mood for her. Mrs. Gauri Chandna said, “I knew I was going to be all relaxed in the company of talented and warm individuals. The first hour where everyone was mingling with the artists dressed up as various famous poets like Majrooh Sultan Puri, (Mr. Salman Wajahat Dar) and more, was such a wonderful idea. We felt close enough to all the ‘celebrities’ and utilized the time to make some wonderful memories in the form of pictures. Once the mushaira began, I was filled with nothing but amazement at the talent that was being displayed. Each contributor had soul-stirring poetry.”  Mrs. Chandna was completely confounded at the talent that exists in “Naya Englishtan (New England)” as the host (Nazim) Javed Zaidi called it. “It was not only the talent but more the way it was projected in an organized fashion. Each and every ‘act’ was of optimum length, was logically sequenced and ‘just right’ for the person performing it. It was a combination of excellent poetry, superb recitation, fantastic organization and a perfect setting including the pan circulation”, she added. She thoroughly enjoyed the home made food, and the enthusiasm of the audience.

Here’s what some of the participants had to say

Mr. Siraj Khan, who performed as poet Ahmad Faraz said, “If I was asked to submit just one high point of the event, I would give it to Razia's selection aligning the original "visiting" poets with the folks who were selected to enact them. Honest to goodness, being familiar with virtually all of them, I am not sure whether it was Harish who brought out the best of Neeraj, or Pankaj (grey hair included) enacted Dilawar Figar's andaz-e-bayan (he had not even heard about him until a month or two ago), or Kumkum's representation of Azra Naqvi's poetic elegance, Salman's awesome attire and tarannum of Majrooh in full cry, Humaira Apa in a white sari/red border with Zehra Nigah's jangal ke dastoor, Shua as Parveen Shakir who was as good looking as her poetry, Meena as the fearless fighter of women's freedom Kishwar Naheed, or Akhtari Apa as a one-woman institution Fehmida Riaz. Razia you get an A+ for this alone”. Let me try and take a stab at why we all feel so enriched soulfully by this event. Despite being the cultural heart if US, this is Boston's weak spot. Hardly anything major takes place in this area. In more recent times, Razia saheba and I organized Iqbal Day in Nov 2010 and then last year two events in connection with the Faiz centennial. Rooh-e-Sahir has been considered by many as one of the liveliest events in Boston but then it still had a lot of music, dances and other stuff to go with Urdu poetry....all these focusing on one poet. Aligarh/Sir Syed has just one or two prominent poets each time. CHOPAAL presented a cocktail of the top class kalaam (poetry) of highly reputed poets, from both sides of the border, with varying styles.”

Dr. Naeem Siddiqi said, “Yearning and thirst for good poetry will take me to all or any place. Rooh-e- Sahir was one of the best event I have seen it anywhere and believe me I do not miss too many. It was marvelous. Recitation (adaigi) was graceful and with feelings. One felt like repeating and singing with the performer and thus audience became the performer. It is difficult to duplicate it. Anyway we know there are lover of poetry and listeners to make it a success.”

Harish Dang: “For me, it was the most memorable evening of my life. My father would take me to Lal Qila (Delhi) for these and I have very vague memory of that. I did not think I would make it. I was so afraid. But all the encouragement and “saath” worked. Thanks again to you all my saathis. Especially Raziaji, Siddiqui Sahab, Jawed sahab. Faraz sahab for suggesting to say “sapan jhare phool se” in poem form. And to Kumkumji for straightening out the rose bud.”

Unaiza Saheba:” I have to thank you both for inviting me to the most enjoyable evening that I have experienced in a long time. The Urdu word - "lutf-andoz" best describes the entire event. I am sure a lot of hard work has gone into it by all participants but the enormous credit goes to Razia Mashkoor  for making it happen, choosing the texts and for creating the balance required throughout. She did it moreover with a lot of grace and humility without taking centre-stage herself, ensuring credit
was paid all round. I look forward to participate in future events
of such brilliance.”

Special Thanks to Chopaal Team: Salman Bhai, Harish Ji, Siraj Saheb, Meena Sundaram, Kumkum Parikh malik, Pankaj Shah, Akhtari Auntie, Humaira Apa, Shakher Ji, Shua,Kiran Ji, Matai uncle and Chandra Auntei, and my son  Baaree Siddiqi and our sponsors Kay Pee Jewelers Natick  (Mr. Raj Parwani and Alka Parwani)

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