The All-India Mushaira (poetry function) here saw the likes of Majid Deobandi, Taahir Faraz, Khursheed Nayyir, Zafar Mahmood and Shafeeq Nadwi, besides humorous poets from Hyderabad and Rorkee Sikandar Hayat Gadbad and Iqbal Shana holding the audience spellbound.

The event was co-hosted by Indian community organizations — India Islamic Cultural Center (IICC), BISWAS and Bihar Anjuman.

Deobandi’s poetry was filled with moral values, recalling the glory of Islam and Islamic heroes like Khalid bin Waleed and Tariq bin Ziyad.

Faraz, known for his romantic ballads, charming style and inspiring voice, presided over the function.

The duo were the star attractions at the evening event and enthralled the audience with their couplets, with demands for “once again.”

Notably, Deobandi has won more than a dozen Urdu awards and commendations including the President’s Award in 1993 for his inspiring poetry.

Faraz, a native of Rampur, an important center for Urdu after Delhi and Lucknow, is considered one of the finest modern Urdu poets.

The Gadbad-Shana duo had the audience in splits with their humorous poetry and livened up the event further.

Khursheed Nayyir, Zafar Mahmood, Shafeeq Nadwi and some young local poets also left a mark with their beautiful couplets.

Murshid Kamal (IICC) Akhtar Ul-Islam Nadwi (BISWAS) and Jabed Hussain (Bihar Anjuman) welcomed the guests.