‘Urdu Mushairas has played a pivotal role in maintaining National Integration and communal harmony, these Mushairas has also popularize the Urdu Language not only in Urdu circle but also non-Urdu knowing Circles. Mushairas are still being organized throughout the world, but has lost its standard due to non-serious verses of some poets. Despite that standard Mushairas are being hold now a days also in some places of world where people appreciated the good verses of Urdu poets whole heartedly.” These views were expressed by the illustrious speakers during a one day National seminar organized by the department of Urdu, University of Jammu in the Prof. Gian Chand Jain seminar hall of the department on the topic “Tradition and Present Position of Urdu Mushairas”. Prof. Qudoes Javed former HOD Urdu, Kashmir University, Prof. Shehpar Rasool HOD Urdu Jamia Millia Islamia, Dr. Mohd Reyaz Ahmed, Associate Professor of department of Urdu, Jammu University, Prof. M.A. Wani were the Resource persons of the seminar. Prof. Keshav Sharma, Registrar of University of Jammu was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
While speaking in the seminar Dr. Mohd Reyaz Ahmed threw light on the Urdu Mushairas being organized in Jammu and Kashmir. He inform that in the past Jammu was called city of Urdu Mushairas were towering poet like Hafeez Jalandari, Pandit Datta Tarya Kafi, Rasa Javedani, Josh Malli Abadi used to participate in the Mushairas and entertain the audience by their throughout provoking poetry. People use to attend the Mushairas not in hundreds but in thousands and used to listen their favourite poets throughout nights inform Dr. Mohd Reyaz Ahmed. He further inform that now a days the tradition of organizing Mushairas in nights has been diminished. Now Mushairas are being organized in the day time though some good poetry are recited but there are poets who does not knows the meaning of Urdu poetry. It is because of this the literary persons has are not now attending the Mushairas said Dr. Reyaz.
Prof. Qudose Javeed threw light on the present position of Urdu Mushairas in India. He said that Mushairas has played a vital role in maintaining communal harmony and brotherhood among the people of different communities living in India. Though the standard of Mushairas has reduced but still they gathered a lot crowd irrespective of Caste, Colour and Creed. Prof. Javeed also inform that in India places like Lucknow, Mumbai, Delhi, Merutt and Aligarh good Mushairas are being organized where highly standard poet are invited to recite their Kalam. At these places Mushairas are also beign organized at Nights even in Jalandar and Malierkotla in Punjab a good Mushairas are being organized by the organizers.
Prof. Shehper Rasool ,HOD Urdu Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi spoke at length on the meaning and development of Urdu Mushairas in India. He inform that in Urdu Mushairas started in 18th Century, Urdu Mushairas early at its age were not organized publically but some towering poets used to call some other poets to their homes where they use to recite their verses. These homes were the institution of literary civilization. In these Mushairas poets use to criticise these verses also. This was a positive criticism informed Prof. Shehper Rasool. Prof. Rasool who himself is a towering Urdu poet has attended number of Inter-National, National Urdu Mushairas. He said that now a days the tradition of Urdu Mushairas has declined and Urdu Mushairas has now become a industry. Though Urdu Mushairas are still being organized throughout the world but not of much standard. But still in Gulf some standard Urdu Mushairas are being organized were standard poets participate and entertain the audience by their poetry. There is need to revive the old tradition of Urdu Mushairas so that new generation would learn the civilization, there is much need in India in present scenario to organize Urdu Mushairas more and more as it gives the message of love, brotherhood and mutual understanding concluded Prof. Rasool.
Prof. M.A Wani too threw light on the origin and present scenario of Urdu Mushairas. He listed the names of some reputed poet who has earn the name and fame because of Urdu Mushairas and described Prof. Malik Zada Manzoor Ahmed as one of great pillar of Urdu Mushairas in 20th Century.
Prof. Keshav Sharma the Registrar of University of Jammu congratulated the Urdu department for organizing a National seminar on a meaningful topic. He said that though he could read and write Urdu but he himself is the lover of Urdu poetry particularly Urdu Mushairas. Speaking in Urdu Prof. Keshav Sharma recited some Urdu verses of some towering poets of Urdu which were highly appreciated by the audience.
Earlier in his welcome address Prof. Shohab Inayat Malik, HOD Urdu introduces the resource persons to the audience. He particularly threw light on the contribution of Prof. Shehper Rasool for his rule in the development of Urdu Mushairas. He said that Prof. Shehper Rasool is a towering Urdu poet who has several collection of poetry to his credit. He has attended number of standard Urdu Mushairas in Gulf and European countries and has raised the standard of Urdu Mushairas not only this Prof. Shehpar Rasool is also a good critic of Urdu Mushairas and has written several books on Urdu poetry. Prof. Shohab further said that department is committed to provide the students quality education as well s latest development in Urdu Language and Literature.
The proceeding of the program was conducted by Dr. Mohd Reyaz Ahmed, Associate Professor of the department of Urdu while Dr. Chaman Lal presented a vote of thanks. The National seminar was attended by students, scholars and respectable citizens.