New Delhi, Nov 27 (PTI) With a wide-ranging line-up ofmushairas, panel discussions and book exhibitions, the fourthedition of the much-loved Urdu festival -- Jashn-e-Rekhta, isall set to begin from December 8 here.
The three-day event celebrating the timeless glory of theUrdu language, this year, will host over forty poets, authorsand artistes at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here.
It promises to be an opportunity for visitors to see andexperience Urdu and its creative richness in all forms -- fromDastangoi, mushaira and ghazals, to qawwali, calligraphy, andUrdu prose and poetry readings.
"Urdu is not merely a language but has an entire cultureto itself and touches the heart and soul of anyone who comesin contact with it.
"Jashn-e-Rekhta showcases how Urdu lends itself tovarious art forms be it literature, music, films, art,theatre, dance, or oral storytelling," Sanjiv Saraf, founderof Rekhta Foundation, said.
Over the course of three days, the festival will witnessthe poetic genius of Javed Akhtar in his session 'Kuch IshqKiya Kuch Kaam Kiya', a panel discussion on the depiction ofMuslim culture in Indian cinema.
Eminent personalities like Waheeda Rehman, Shabana Azmi,Ira Bhaskar and Muzaffar Ali will also be part of the panel.
Actor Annu Kapoor will chronicle Urdu poetry, music andhistory, including folk tales related to Laila-Majnu.
The event will also celebrate Faiz Ahmed Faiz's richliterary legacy, with renowned actor-director Aamir RazaHusain reciting the verses of the 20th century poet.
Singer Radhika Chopra will pay her tributes to Faiz withher musical renditions of the poet's works.
Lovers of famous Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto will getto know Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui's experience ofliving the character of the author in the session 'Manto keRubaru'.
Nandita Das, who is directing the upcoming biopic,'Manto', will talk about her love for him.
The Urdu festival will also witness participation byShubha Mudgal, Gopi Chand Narang, Ashok Chakradhar, NeeleshMishra, and Manoj Muntashir among others.
Visitors can also shop antiquities from old Delhiincluding handicrafts at the Rekhta Bazaar.
The event will conclude on December 10 with aperformance by the "Kun Faya Kun" fame Qawwali singers NizamiBandhu. PTI MAHTRS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.