After its resounding success in India and a recent international debut in London, the renowned literary fest, Jashn-e-Rekhta, is all set to captivate audiences in Dubai. Scheduled to take place at Zabeel Park on January 27 and 28, the festival promises a two-day celebration of the Urdu language, featuring luminaries from the literary world.
Commencing at 1:30 pm on January 27, the festival kicks off with a panel discussion on ‘Urdu Tehzeeb aur Rishton ki Lazzat Ki Lazzat’ (The Delight of Urdu Culture and Relationships), featuring Bollywood lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar, along with Pakistani human rights activist Arfa Sayeda Zehra.
The first day’s events include a stage rendition of Ismat Chughtai’s Urdu play ‘Dozakh’ (Hell), a Sufi concert by Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan, and a captivating portrayal of the legendary singer Noor Jehan’s life in ‘Raqs-e-Naa Tammam.’
The evening culminates with ‘Shab-e Rafta,’ an enchanting session of Sufi music from 9 pm to 11 pm.
On the final day, a talk show with Pakistan’s iconic couple, Sameena Peerzada and Usmaan Peerzada, kicks off the program. This is followed by an interactive session with Pakistani actress Mahira Khan and Indian actress Shabana Azmi. The day concludes with ‘Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaau’n,’ a project featuring Javed Akhtar, Meiyang Chang, and Jahnvi Shrimankar with a live band.
The grand international mushaira ‘Gehan aur Dhoop’ on the second day features acclaimed poets Anwar Shaoor, Farhat Ehsad, Zehra Nigah, Shakeel Azmi, Abbas Tabish, among others.
Jashn-e-Rekhta, held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nayhan, Minister of Tolerance and Co-existence, is expected to draw 15,000 attendees, including visitors from India and Pakistan. The festival also offers culinary delights at Aiwan-e-Zaiqa Food Bazaar and explores Rekhta’s Urdu Bazaar, showcasing art, handicrafts, merchandise, books, and more.
Founder of Rekhta Foundation, Sanjiv Saraf, expressed that Dubai’s cosmopolitan character has broadened the scope of Urdu as a popular medium of speech. With a vibrant cultural fusion, Jashn-e-Rekhta aims to weave the essence of Urdu language, literature, and culture into the cosmopolitan fabric of the UAE for the first time.