What – Jashn-e-Rekhta, Urdu Language Festival (Non Ticketed)
When – 8-10 December, 9am-9pm
Where – Major Dhyan Chand Stadium
Nearest Metro Station – Central Secretariat, Yellow Line
Register @ rekhta.org
With December begin the glorious year-end festivities and this time there’s one added festival some of us would be joyously taking part in. Jashn-e-Rekhta returns for its fourth edition on the 8th of December. Jashn-e-Rekhta, translates into ‘Celebration of Urdu’, Rekhta being the former, more poetic name of the Urdu language or the Khariboli. The beloved festival will span over two and a half days and take place in Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The festival hosts distinguished poets, artists and writers who bring alive the magnificence of Urdu with their talks and panel discussions. The execution of the festival has been done by Rekhta Foundation since its inception in 2015. The foundation is a non-profit organization that was formed to promote the Urdu language and its literature. On the roster are panel discussions with dignitaries, the art of ‘Dastangoi’ or storytelling, heart rendering recitations of poetry and qawallis and the most fun ‘Bait-Baazi’ a form of antakshri but with Urdu poetry. Literature enthusiasts will find themselves hooked up in the Book Corner that displays the best of Urdu prose and poetry written over the last century. ‘Urdu Bazaar’ a wonderful presentation of handicrafts and antiquities from Old Delhi is just the place to be for collectors. Foodies will be more than glad to feast on with the authentic flavours of Kashmiri, Deccani, Hyderabadi, Lucknavi, Mughlai and Purani Dilli food at the food court completing the entire Urdu experience. Jashn has previously hosted greats of Urdu writing such as Gulzar, Javed Akhtar, Wasim Barelvi. The latest edition that was held this year only saw tributary performances by musician Vidya Shah and actor Danish Hussain for 20th century poets like Jigar Moradabadi, Sahir Ludhianvi, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Majaz Lakhnawi and Majrooh Sultanpuri. The footfall of the event increased by five times from 18000 in 2015 to almost 85000 in 2017 February. The ever growing popularity of the event stands testament to the popularity of the language and the culture in the national capital. Jashn-e-Rekhta is the place to be if you have a penchant for words woven together with magic and aesthetics that soothe the soul.
