Hyderabad: The Urdu mushaira at Deccan College of Medical Sciences (DCMS) was an evening filled with poetry, history, and conversations about language and identity. As part of the college’s 40th anniversary celebrations—Quadrigenia—poets from across India recited verses on truth, resilience, and the struggles faced by Urdu in the country.
Poet Nadeem Farrukh, who presided over the event, set the tone early on. “Abhi yeh sheher Urdu bolta hai,” he said, emphasizing that Hyderabad has not forgotten the language. Addressing those who label Urdu unfairly, he remarked, “This is the language of Ghalib, Mir, Iqbal, Premchand, and Krishan Chander. If this is terrorism, then literature itself is a crime.”
The event also reflected on the journey of the college and the vision of Faqr-e-Millat Abdul Waheed Owaisi, who in 1972 predicted that the community would one day have its own engineering and medical colleges. That vision materialized under the leadership of Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi.
Poets spoke about love, deception, hypocrisy, and the evolving place of Urdu in India. Nawaz Deobandi reminded the audience that Urdu has never belonged to a single community. “I am the language of Anand Narayan Mulla, of Firaq Gorakhpuri, of Munshi Premchand. I was never of one religion or race—I belong to all who love poetry and expression.”
Other participating poets included Mounika Moni, Azm Shakeri, Tayyab Pasha Qadri, Mahashar Afridi, Nadeem Farrukh, Sampat Sarai, Salahuddin Nayyar, and Md Ali Wafa.
The mushaira was one of the many events planned for Quadrigenia. Over the next few days, the celebrations will continue with cultural programs, sports, and discussions. The final evening, on February 23, will conclude with a qawwali night, bringing together alumni, faculty, and students to mark 40 years of DCMS.
