Mumbai is all set to celebrate the soul of Urdu literature, art, and music as the Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya Academy marks its golden jubilee this year. To commemorate this milestone, the Academy — under
the aegis of the Minority Department of Maharashtra — has announced a grand three-day cultural festival titled Bahar-e-Urdu, to be held at the DOME SVP Stadium, Worli, from October 6 to 8, 2025.
A Festival Honouring Urdu’s Legacy
Bahar-e-Urdu promises to be a confluence of words, rhythm, and heritage — a vibrant celebration that bridges the old and the new. The festival will bring together stalwarts of literature, cinema, and music through thought-provoking seminars, Mushairas, panel discussions, theatrical performances, and Sufi and ghazal evenings.
Over three days, the event will showcase Urdu’s enduring influence on art, storytelling, and Indian culture. Exhibition stalls will also be set up to highlight Urdu’s literary evolution, showcasing manuscripts, books, and artworks dedicated to the language’s rich legacy.
Day One: Words, Wit, and Melody
The opening day will feature an inaugural exhibition followed by a Qaumi Yakjehti Geet by Farkhanda and Kohinoor Music Academy, symbolizing national unity through art. Theatre lovers will get to witness Mujeeb Khan’s Urdu drama “Ishq Jale To Jale Aisa”, inspired by the poetry of Sahir Ludhianvi.
A celebrity Mushaira will feature celebrated poets such as Rajesh Reddy, Ubaid Azam Azmi, Shakeel Azmi, Mehsar Afridi, Qamar Siddiqui, and Shikha Awadesh. The evening will continue with a lively Hasya Kavi session by Surendra Sharma, followed by a panel discussion on ‘Filmon Mein Urdu’ with Sachin Pilgaonkar, Rumy Jafri, and Syed Qadri, moderated by Shekhar Suman.
Adding to the star power, Javed Akhtar will participate in an interactive Q&A session with filmmaker Rumy Jafri. The evening will conclude with a Sufi and Qawwali night led by the iconic Sabri Brothers, creating a soulful crescendo.
Day Two: Young Voices and Sufi Rhythms
The second day, hosted by Priya Malik and Imtiyaz Khaleel, will open with a Mushaira by young poets, followed by an academic seminar on the Urdu language conducted by Dr. Abdullah. A fashion show by Faruk Saiyed Group and Bijnoi Ji will bring a visual celebration of cultural fusion, while a dastangoi performance by Fouziya, based on Meena Kumari’s life, will explore the art of Urdu storytelling.
The highlight of the evening will be a Sufi night by Jhelum Singh, followed by the distribution of 156 awards across categories, honouring individuals who have contributed to Urdu arts, literature, and culture.
Day Three: Musical Grandeur and Grand Finale
The closing day, hosted once again by Shekhar Suman, will include open mic poetry sessions, a Bait Bazi competition by Rais High School and Junior College, Tamseeli Mushaira by Zahid Ali, and an Urdu theatrical performance by Iqbal Niyazi.
As the evening deepens, audiences will be treated to qawwali by Shabab Sabri, followed by a grand finale performance of timeless ghazals by Padma Shri Anup Jalota, whose melodious renditions promise to bring the celebration to an unforgettable close.
A Golden Milestone for Urdu
For fifty years, the Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya Academy has nurtured the language’s literary and artistic heritage, encouraging generations of poets, writers, and performers. Bahar-e-Urdu stands as a reflection of that journey — celebrating the past, embracing the present, and inspiring the future.
With an eclectic mix of legends and emerging talent, the festival reaffirms Urdu’s place as not just a language, but a living art form that continues to unite hearts through words, music, and culture.
