Hyderabad : Hyderabad’s love for Urdu came alive in the most delectable way last Sunday as the soulful rhythm of shayari met the irresistible aroma of biryani at a unique cultural event. The Urdu Asnaaf-e-Sukhan Goi gathering, held at the Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute, was not just a celebration of words—it was a feast of flavours too.
Traditionally known for lyrical poetry, heartfelt couplets, and applause-filled evenings, the event this time blended language and cuisine into a spectacular experience. What began as a struggle to draw crowds turned into a grand success, thanks to a delightful twist—an Eid Milap gathering with a potluck lunch.
The mastermind behind the event, Javeed Kamal, cleverly combined the Urdu literary programme with an Eid Milap celebration, making it a day to remember. “When polite invites fail, tempt the taste buds,” Kamal quipped. His strategy worked wonders.
The literary session featured a delightful mix of Eid-themed poetry, humorous anecdotes, and witty Deccani-English verses. Husamuddin Riyaz had the audience in splits with his funny take on Eid shopping. Mona Elizabeth Kurien’s fusion poetry and Lateefuddin Lateef’s food-themed verses added spice to the session. Senior poet Soofi Sultan Shattari moved the audience with his emotional couplet.
Following the poetry, it was time for a culinary celebration. The spread was nothing short of royal—mutton biryani, haleem, kali mirch ka gosht, marag with kulchas, shami kebabs, and chicken tandoori filled the venue with fragrance and joy. For dessert: qubani ka meetha, rabri malai, and custard kheer made the day sweeter.
To spice things up further, prizes were given for the best dishes. Rubina Shabnam won the top prize for her biryani, Faizunnisa came second with her kali mirch gosht, and Aliuddin and Saifuddin shared third place for their haleem. Hameeda Begum’s baghare baigan and Atiya Mujeeb Aarafi’s tandoori chicken were crowd favourites.
The event also saw participation from noted personalities like Prof. S.A. Shukoor, Muzaffar Ali Soofi, K.N. Wasif, Shaikh Ibrahim, and M.A. Majid of 4TV. The highlight was a heartfelt message by Laxmi Devi Raj, a symbol of Hyderabad’s syncretic heritage, who appealed to parents to pass the Urdu language on to the next generation.
The event was a reminder that food and language, when served together, create unforgettable memories. As the crowd left with full hearts and fuller stomachs, it was evident—sometimes, biryani can speak louder than words.
