International Urdu Mushaira held in Doha, Qatar

Doha - The 16th Annual Aalami Frog-e-Urdu Adab awards were presented to India`s Shamoil Ahmed and Pakistan`s Ata ul Haq Qasimi by Majlis-e-Farogh-e- Urdu Adab instituted in 1996, the international award for the promotion of Urdu literature given annually to two Urdu creative fiction writers and scholars one from India and Pakistan at an glittering function held at Doha Sheraton`s Al-Majlis Auditorium. A special award has been conferred on acclaimed Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah who was accompanied with his actress wife Ratna Pathak Shah, thanked the Majlis officials for honouring him with the coveted award. In his  candid confession, Naseer said he had his education in the Christian missionary institution till he has gone to Ali-Garh Muslim University to pursue his graduation in English literature and he not did possess any sense of understanding the Urdu poetry during that period of time. When Producer, Director Gulzar proposed him to play the character of Mirza Ghalib in a blockbuster TV serial he was terrified as he was novice in that department, thanked film lyricist and story writer Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza for having guided him to excel in the character of Mirza Ghalib. The guest poets from India  Munawar Rana, Rais Ansari, Iqbal Ashar and Nuzhat Anjum and from Pakistan Ataul Haq Qasimi, Dr. Khurshid Rizvi, Aslam Kaulsari Sarfaraz Shahid, Rakhshanda Naveed, Australia based Mohd. Ali and UK based Ihsan Shahid presented their poetry in a unique style which was well received by the audience, glued to their seats until it concluded at. 1:30 am. Ambassador of India Sanjiv Arora and Pakistan Sarafaraz Khanzada also shed lights on the beauty and  richness of Urdu language. Dr. Gopi Chand Narang a renowned writer, poet and  chairman Sahitya Academy India  has specially flown to Qatar to grace the function as a guest of honour. Sizeable number of Bhatkalis residing in Qatar also attended this literary symposium. By: S.M.Syed Zakir, Correspondent bhatkallys.com