Bahar-E-Urdu: Celebrating 50 Years Of Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya Academy

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