An informal evening attended by poets and poetry lovers of Dehradun was held at Books N More (BNM) to revive the “baithhak” culture of the Doon valley where Sahityik Baithhaks used to be held regularly at various places including Town Hall, Parade Ground and at the residences of many scholars.
The gathering was open to all who wished to participate. Doon School’s senior faculty member MH Farooqui conducted the poetry evening throwing light on the history of writers and writing in the valley –recalling his earlier years in the valley when informal and interactive gatherings were an important feature in the town. Every day there used to be gatherings of friends over cups of tea at various restaurants in the valley and this was known as the “Addebaazi” culture. Popular addas included Janta, Tip-Top and El Fiesta. People met and exchanged views on art, literature and other subjects and this acted as a kind of anti-stress therapy. It was a healthy trend which has almost faded away now. Free expression of one’s feelings and beliefs was an important part of the Addebaazi tradition in the valley.
Farooqui remembered having heard great poets like Jigar Moradabadi, Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Gopal Das Neeraj and said that there was hardly any Hindi or Urdu poet who had not recited in the valley one time or another. There used to be all-night mushairas attended by Doonites enthusiastically. He said that poets, especially young poets, could spell hope for the world.
Doon’s poets Atul Pundir, Pratibha Katiyar and Jaskiran Chopra recited their poetry at the gathering amid the cosy ambience of BNM which is a book lovers’ book store in the heart of Doon valley. Pundir recited a few poems from his book “Itni si Toh Baat Hai” while Jaskiran read out some nazms and ghazals from here recent collection titled Mera Shehar. Her poetry took people back to the erstwhile beauty of the valley. Pratibha Katiyar recited poems that had her unique creative stamp of romance and deep meaning. Her use of symbols and command over Hindi make her writings very special.
Doon’s young poet Kunal Uniyal also recited from his book “Main Tula Hun”. The youngest poet in the gathering was Vibhor Dwivedi who read out his poems in English which lamented the loss of a world of nature and beauty.He called himself a “Himalayan child” as he was brought up in Darjeeling and belongs to Uttarakhand.
Doon’s senior Urdu poet Nadeem Burney regaled the select audience with his memories of old times in Dehradun and recited his ghazals and nazms. Members of the audience shared their views and experiences at the gathering .Among these, memories of the old days of Doon were prominent.
The poets shared with the audience the story of their poetic journey. Among the gathering were noted English writer Pradeep Singh, connoisseur of poetry and art Sheikh Amir Ahmed, Anil Aggarwal, group captain (retd) PK Rai and Deepti Rai and many other lovers of literature. Pradeep Singh said that literary mapping could be done and people could get to know through this about all authors living in the region. It could be linked to the state's tourism.
The evening was meant, in a way, to go back to the informal interaction that lay at the heart of the old baithhaks of the valley. BNM’s Ashish Narayan Sharma also recalled the addebaazi days of Doon and appreciated the readings of the poets.
Farooqui gave the message that people should buy books of poetry in order to encourage poets and the creation of poetry. “It is disheartening to hear that poetry does not sell,” he said.
Many memories of various people jostled each other as the evening progressed. The two-hour meet saw many turn emotional and this created a warmth and camaraderie that seemed to be the main feeling at this gathering. So poetry and emotions, that go hand in hand, made the evening a memorable one both for the poets and the audience.
