Wasi Imam / New Delhi
In a celebration of Urdu’s rich literary heritage and India’s syncretic cultural traditions, Jashn-e-Bahar Trust, in collaboration with the India Islamic Cultural Centre, hosted a unique literary evening titled ‘Karbala se Kashi Tak – Dastan-e-Marsiya’ on Sunday. Presented in the traditional Dastangoi style for the first time, the programme traced the historical and literary evolution of Marsiya, highlighting its deep roots in India’s Ganga-Jamuni culture and its enduring influence on Urdu literature. The event was attended by Salman Khurshid, President of the India Islamic Cultural Centre, along with scholars, writers and lovers of Urdu literature.
Presented by Jashn-e-Bahar Trust, this first ever such programme conducted in Dastan-Goi style, showcases the historical journey of Marsiya as an important genre of Urdu literature and as a mirror of our syncretic Ganga-Jamni tehzeeb.
“Urdu Marsiya truly stands for a journey of the story of Imam Husain from Karbala to Kashi. It is the only literary genre which combines the elements of pathos, epic and elegy. You will not find such an amalgam anywhere else in the world. Totally steeped in India’s composite culture, it impacts our social ethos even as it draws from it. Through this literary evening, we attempt to explore the evolution of Marsiya in India and understand its literary nuances and aspects. We evaluate its impact on Urdu literature and on shaping the Indian mindscape as it brings together people from various communities,” says Kamna Prasad, Founder, Jashn-e-Bahar Trust.
“The accompanying exhibition is specially curated to showcase the Ganga-Jamni aspects of Marsiyanigari in India as it dwells on interesting facts about Marsiya as an important genre of Urdu poetry,” she adds.
Directed by Kamna Prasad the performance is brought to you by young and talented actors Enab Khizra and Firoz Khan along with promising poet Pallav Mishra.
Janab Qamar Ahmed Zaidi, Retired IPS (Delhi police Commissioner) welcomed the guests. He said that every year on the same date, event to commemorate Karbala, as Husain Day, was observed by the IICC, so this time we decided to observe this day in a special way by requesting Ms Kamna Prasad, to present this Dastangoi, Dastaan-e-Marsiya Karbala se Kashi tak.
Mr Salman Khurshid expressed the importance of conducting such programme, which will bring our syncritic culture, our own Ganga-Jamni Tehzeeb to the fore. He also thanked those present in very big numbers.
To conclude Ms Kamna Prasad thanked everyone present, “The rapt attention with which the audience followed the performance and the warmth with which it was received were deeply moving. It was especially heartening to see many people happily sitting on the floor rather than miss the evening. Your encouragement strengthens my resolve to continue exploring and presenting such literary journeys. Enab Khizra, Firoz Khan and Pallav Mishra were simply outstanding. Their artistry, dedication and remarkable performances brought this literary journey vividly to life.”
“I am also grateful to the India Islamic Cultural Centre for inviting me to present this programme, and to Takshila Educational Society for its generous support”.
It was a privilege to share this journey with all of you.
The vice president of IICC Mohammad Furqan, concluded the programme with thanks, and exhorted the audience to walk on the footsteps of Hazrat Imam Husain(as).