Mumbai is set to immerse itself in the rich traditions of Urdu literature, art, and music as the Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya Academy marks its golden jubilee with a grand celebration titled Bahar-e-Urdu. The three-day cultural extravaganza, organised by the Minority Department of Maharashtra, will be held at the iconic DOME SVP Stadium, Worli, on 6th, 7th and 8th October 2025.
A Festival of Words, Melody and Heritage
The event promises to be a confluence of Urdu’s timeless charm — from thought-provoking seminars, panel discussions, and storytelling sessions, to soulful renditions of ghazals, qawwali, and sufi music. Exhibition stalls will add to the cultural mosaic, showcasing works that celebrate Urdu’s literary and artistic journey.
Each day will bring a unique mix of performances:
Day One (6th October) opens with an exhibition and inaugural ceremony, followed by a stirring Qaumi Yakjehti Geet, an Urdu theatrical drama, and a celebrity Mushaira featuring acclaimed poets. The evening crescendo’s into an awards distribution ceremony, a session with humourist Surendra Sharma, a panel on Filmon Mein Urdu with Sachin Pilgaonkar and Rumy Jafri and others, and an engaging Q&A session with Javed Akhtar and Rumy Jafri. The show will be hosted by Shekhar Suman and Ali Asgar, closing with a spirited Sufi/Qawwali night led by the legendary Sabri Brothers.
Day Two (7th October) continues the celebration with a Mushaira by young poets, an academic seminar on the Urdu language, a vibrant fashion show, and a dastangoi performance. The evening highlights include a soulful Sufi performance by Jhelum Singh, alongside the distribution of 156 awards across various categories. The day will be hosted by Priya Malik and Imtiyaz Khaleel.
Day Three (8th October) is marked by musical brilliance, featuring performances of sufi music, ghazals, and qawwali. Highlights include Mushairas, theatrical performances, and a stirring qawwali performance by Shabab Sabri. The finale will be hosted by Shekhar Suman, culminating in a grand finale by none other than Padma Shri Anup Jalota, whose ghazals have mesmerised audiences worldwide.
A Living Legacy
Urdu has always been more than a language — it is a bridge of cultures, emotions, and shared heritage. For fifty years, the Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya Academy has nurtured this legacy, encouraging poets, writers, artists, and performers to carry forward the flame. Bahar-e-Urdu is not just a celebration of the past but also a promise for the future — reaffirming the Academy’s commitment to preserve and promote Urdu’s beauty for generations to come.
Event Details
Dates: 6th, 7th, 8th October 2025
Timings: 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM (6th & 7th), 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM (8th)
Venue: Dome SVP Stadium, Lala Lajpatrai Marg, Worli, Mumbai.
Bahar-e-Urdu – 50 Years of Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya Academy
Day 1 – 6th October 2025
Hosts: Shekhar Suman & Ali Asgar
Open Mic by Young Poets: Ishtiyaq Asar, Abdussamad Safi, Abid Aseer, Riaz Matnavi, Ilyas Ghazi, Syed Shakir, Shadab Hussain, Afroz Alam, Arif Inamdar, Amjad, Afsar, Tabish Akhtar, Sajid Akhtar
Opening Performance (Qaumi Yakjehti Geet): Farkhanda, Kohinoor Music Academy
Urdu Theatrical Drama: Mujeeb Khan (Ishq Jale To Jale Aisa), Sahil Ludhianvi
Mushaira (Celebrity Poets): Rajesh Reddy, Ubaid Azam Azmi, Shakeel Azmi, Mehsar Afridi, Qamar Siddiqui, Shikha Awadesh
Q&A Session: Javed Akhtar & Rumy Jafri
Panel Discussion – Filmon main Urdu: Sachin Pilgaonkar, Rumy Jafri, Syed Qadri, moderated by Shekhar Suman
Hasya Kavi: Surendra Sharma
Sufi/Qawwali Night: Sabri Brothers
Day 2 – 7th October 2025
Hosts: Priya Malik & Imtiyaz Khaleel
Mushaira by Young Poets: Kayam Shah, Ahad Saeed, Zain Lakhimpuri, Riyaz Matnavi, Afroz Alam, Syed Shakir, others
Seminar on Urdu Language: Dr. Abdullah
Fashion Show: Faruk Saiyed Group & Bijnoi Ji
Dastangoi Performance: Fouziya (Meena Kumari Play)
Sufi Night Performance: Jhelum Singh (Sufi Music)
Awards Distribution: 156 awards across categories
Day 3 – 8th October 2025
Host: Shekhar Suman
Open Mic by Young Poets: Sayyed Salman Abbas, Ghulam Hussain, Azhar Shah, others
Bait Bazi (Urdu Poetry Contest): Rais High School & Jr. College, Bhiwandi
Tamseeli Mushaira (Theatrical Mushaira): Zahid Ali
Urdu Theatrical Drama: Iqbal Niyazi
Mushaira by Young Poets: Kaleem Samar and others
Qawwali Night: Shabab Shanti
Grand Finale – Ghazals: Padma Shri Anup Jalota
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