The world’s largest Urdu literary festival, Jashn-E-Rekhta, is back again this year with a delightful line-up of poets, singers, and other literary artists, and we cannot contain our excitement!
For the unversed, Jashn-E-Rekhta is a three-day-long artistic festival that happens every year in New Delhi. Before we discuss this year’s lineup, let us familiarise ourselves with the roots of this grand event, which celebrates Urdu’s language, literature, and culture.
The festival comprises various interesting events, such as Shayari and Nazm reading sessions by the biggest contemporary Urdu poets, including living legends like Javed Akhtar and Gulzar. It dives deep into Urdu literature, showcasing beautiful inscriptions of Urdu calligraphy. The festival also features qawwalis and live musical performances by maestros like the Wadali Brothers, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, and many more.
It also features performances like Ghazal and Sufi music, poetry recitations, and engaging activities such as panel discussions, debates, and film conversations. Calligraphy workshops are also held, along with shopping and food stall festivals.
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A Brief History of Jashn-E-Rekhta 2024
Jashn-E-Rekhta was first held in 2015 and was organised by the Rekhta Foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to preserving and promoting Urdu literature.
Since then, the festival has broadened its mission, offering a platform for Urdu lovers to share their poetry and stories in various open forums. With the slogan “Celebrating Urdu,” the event attracts many enthusiasts of all ages, from young people to the elderly, all unite for the love of the Urdu language.
After making its international debut in London in 2023 and expanding to Dubai in 2024, Jashn-e-Rekhta is making its mark on the global stage, providing a platform for literary and cultural exchange beyond India.
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Jashn-E-Rekhta 2024: Notable Works
Jashn-e-Rekhta has consistently drawn massive crowds in its past editions, and with its growing popularity among youth, this year’s event is expected to be grander and more spectacular than ever.
Since its inception, the festival has seen nothing but growth, spreading its wings wider every year. The festival has also managed to cover almost everything, from a panel discussion about “Urdu in Films” comprising speakers like filmmakers Imtiaz Ali and Tigmanshu Dhulia and poet Javed Akhtar in 2016 to sessions like “Dil Dhadakne Ka Sabab” with Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah in 2022.
It has seen live recitations from legends like Gulzar, Rahat Indori, Munawwar Rana and the enthralling qawwalis of the magical Sabri Brothers and Wadali Brothers. It has seen debates on Ghalib, discussions on Manto, Mushairas featuring Waseem Barelvi, and tributes to unsung legends like Sahir Ludhianvi this year. Jashn-E-Rekhta has hosted it all.
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Jashn-E-Rekhta 2024 Schedule: What’s In Store This Year?
The festival will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Gate No. 1), New Delhi.
This year’s festival will feature over 40 sessions presented by more than 200 artists across three stages in exciting formats. Jashn-e-Rekhta 2024 will offer a captivating mix of ghazals, Sufi music, qawwali, storytelling, mushairas, poetry recitations, celebrity interactions, and masterclasses, including interactive sessions.
The event will also feature the popular Rekhta Food Festival, Aiwan-e-Zaika, Books Bazaar, and an exhibition of handicrafts and textiles at Rekhta Bazaar.
Day 1 (13th December)
The inaugural day of this grand festival will begin on the 13th of December with “Ek Sufiyana Sham: A Power-Packed Sufi Evening,” which will have an unforgettable night with the Enchanting Sufi performance of legendary singer and the recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri Award, Kailash Kher, along with his band Kailasa. There will be other eventful activities too for the day, which will be announced later.
Day 2 (14th December 2024)
The festival will be held at the JLN Stadium in New Delhi, Gate No. 1. It begins with “Sukhan: Mehfil of Urdu Poetry & Sufi Music,” a celebration of Music, Storytelling, and Poetry featuring Om Bhutkar, Abhijeet Jaydeep, Dev Nachiket, Mandar Bagade, Ketan Pawar, Mukta Anup Kulthe, and Kalyani Deshpande. The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Simultaneously, an open mic event for all aspiring Urdu poets and artists, KHULI NASHIST: An Open House of Poetry Recitation, will also take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Following these events, there will be a performance of the musical drama play “Sahir Kahan Ho Tum?” directed by Prithvi Haldea. The play is a tribute to the great poet Sahir Ludhianvi, celebrating his life through his poetry and songs. The event will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For those who are new to the language, Professor Ghazanfar will give a masterclass on Urdu Pronunciation and Diction from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
From 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, the famous Rekhta Mushaira will be held, featuring panellists like Hasan Kamal, Dr. Abdullah, Tahir Faraz, Popular Meeruthi, Malka Naseem, Charan Singh Bashar, Obaid Azam Azmi, and Atul Ajnabi.
The Grand Finale of Baitbaazi, a national competition celebrating the tradition of Urdu poetry recitation currently underway across various universities in India, will take place from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
The night will be concluded with “SHAAM-E-GHAZAL: AN EVENING OF GHAZAL FUSION” featuring Papon from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
But this is not all for Day 2. There will also be Qawwali Performances, Book Launches, Conversations with a Special Celebrity Guest, Literary Discussions and much more, all of which will be announced soon.
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Day 3 (15th December 2024)
Day 3 will feature “Izhar-e-Ishq: An Interactive Session on Love Experiences” by Faridoon Shahryar from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm.
Followed by “Bazm-E-Nau-Bahar: Young Poets Mushaira,” featuring Bhawana Srivastava, Jaani Lakhnavi, Kashif Sayyed, Qamar Abbas Qamar, Saif Irfan, Saquib Humraaz, Sarmad Khan, Syed Ahmed, & Sharjeel Ansari from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.
Raja Radha Reddy Repertoire Presents A Grand and Spectacular Dance Show, “ISHQ SE IBADAT TAK: A Sufi Kuchipudi Recital,” by Pernia Qureshi, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Then, there would be SUFI FUSION by the Ali Brothers, featuring Parvez Husain, Parvez Babblu, and Shahrukh Khan from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Finally, the night will be concluded with the nostalgic musical narrative event “MAIN KOI AISA GEET GAOON: Stories Behind The Songs,” featuring Javed Akhtar, Meiyang Chang, and Jahnvi Shrimankar with a live band.
But this is not all for Day 3, the following events will also take place with the panels to be announced:
And many more such events.
Apart from this amazing line-up, various delicacies from all over India will also be present in the food stalls as usual. There will also be book stalls, like every year, where you can buy all the books you want to enhance and cultivate your love for Urdu.Tickets are available on their website, starting from only Rs. 499.
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