Dubai: Poems, based on the themes of patriotism and brotherhood, have traditionally been a part of Republic Day celebrations for Indians.
For one expatriate, this thought-provoking and culturally rich tradition was too much to be left back home.
This feeling led Syed Salahuddin, a businessman, to take the lead and play the host to one of the most popular poetry evenings held in Dubai to mark the Indian Republic Day, every year.
A decade on, since it was first held, the poetry evening in Hindi and Urdu - Kavi sammelan and Mushaira - continues to be a crowd puller.
More than 2,500 in attendance
The invitation-only event, which is also an official Dubai Shopping Festival event, held annually at the Indian High School auditorium, attracts an audience of over 2500, according to the organisers.
From 12-year-olds to 85-year-olds, the evening gets a mixed crowd, often including ministers, chief justices, artists and actors from India, Salahuddin said. "It is an especially enriching experience for the younger generation."
Popular poets including Wasim Bareilvy, Gulzar Dehlvi, Dr Peer Zada Qasim, Omar Salim Mohdar Al Aidroos,Santosh Anand, Anis Ansari IAS, Popular Meerathi, Dr Kaleem Qaiser, Ramender Mohan Tirpathi, Nusrat Mehdi, Azm Shakri, Johar Kanpuri and Anwar Jalalpuri recited their verses this year.
Trilingual
A trilingual souvenir of more than 175 pages, projecting the importance and background of the Republic Day was published at the event. The book was unveiled by the Consul General Sanjay Verma, alongside actor Farouque Shaikh.
When he first approached the then Indian Ambassador he was declined support to organise such an event, Salahuddin remembers.
"On my third attempt, the Ambassador reluctantly agreed to support me. Soon after the first event concluded, he held my hand and lauded the event. It is one of the most memorable moments for me," he said.
Encouraging local poets and poets from the neighbouring Arab countries is also part of their goal, he said, adding that the event has seen 155 poets thus far.
