Finding’ the ‘lost’ Urdu

www.UrduHindi.net | Shared by Dalibagh from Indian Express.

The greatest linguistic shames of the century that I know are endured by three languages; Maya, Bo and Urdu.  Perhaps there are more, if you do know others, please share in the comment section below http://urduhindinet.blogspot.com/2015/02/finding-lost-urdu.html


1. Speaking Mayan language in Belize is a crime; they are prevented from speaking the language. The tyrants in Mexico do the same.  I was in Mexico with the high priest of the Maya tribe – and took them up to the Chichen-itza temple, they were afraid of going up there and praying. I took them up and dared the Mexican authorities and for the first time in 30 years they prayed in their own temple. |
http://www.mikeghouse.net/InterfaithSpeaker_MikeGhouse.asp

2. The Bo Language - http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/2010/02/press-release-in-behalf-of-indians-of.html

3.  Urdu Language – Not all, but enough of the crazies among right wing Hindus and right wing Muslims alike have forced it to become the language of Muslims. How dumb and stupid!  Even in India, the Muslim Bengalis, Malyalees, Guajarati, Tamilians… and neither the Arabs nor the Indonesians, the largest Muslim population in the world speak Urdu.  Whereas Hindus of North India do speak Urdu, it is their language.  Urdu is the language of India, born and bred in India; it is also the official language of Pakistan.

The writer of the article Irene made a point to show the so called Urdu words in Hindi language.  What she failed to share was that the Urdu dictionary has almost all the “Hindi” words listed as Urdu words which I have checked, however I have not checked the Hindi dictionary if it has all the words known as Urdu words.  That is the way to go forward to be inclusive of the other.

I have always called it Hindustani, the only language in the world with three scripts – Devanagiri, Farsi and Roman.  Indeed, our website is UrduHindi.net to reflect that Unity.

I have not made the time to watch “Hindi” movies in a long time – three hours is a lot of time. However, I have learned to watch a few with my wife – we just watched “2 States” a must watch movie – there it is the common Hindustani in it – a blend of Urdu and Hindi that most people can understand. Then we watched Babul with Amitabh, Salman and John Abraham – It’s beautiful Urdu in it laced with specific Hindi words to describe the Hindu tradition.  We also watched Namaste London….

There was a song which talked about, “ choro urdu hindi ka Jhagda” cannot think of the whole song but there is another one that speak about kids “ bhasha ki takrar nahin mazhab ki deewar nahin” from the song in Do Kaliyan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d95tEfX9pNE

My personal contribution to Urdu would be to make this a language free from Muslims and Hindus, and re-induction of words and similes that both people can relate. The references should not be merely Muslim history but Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, Adivasis and Dalit heritage as well. 

In 2012 we introduced a new stream of Pluralism in the poetry to seed the idea of one language that reflects the larger culture of the subcontinent.  Thanks to so many poets of Dallas for beautifully re-blending the cultures in their poetry.

There are many poems, but here are the two that reflect inclusion of similes (references) from subcultures of the Subcontinent – Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jain, Jewish, Adivasis, Buddhist and others.

I propose that the Hindu and Urdu groups sit down with both the dictionaries and make random comparisons of 100 words and I hope someday both the Urdu and Hindi dictionaries will carry the same words.

I hope you like the following piece

Mike Ghouse

www.UrduHindi.net
www.MikeGhouse.net
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Such uninterested, defeatist “Urdu-is-dead-who-cares” attitude among Muslims will ensure the language continues to be denied the credit it deserves. In such times, it is good news that social media, and Pakistani serials are doing their bit for the Urdu cause. But here too, it would be great to see if praise for Urdu is not limited to just its poetry, but also extends to its simple, humble words that we use in our everyday lives. Ummeed hai hamari khwahish poori ho.

The young generation of Muslims can not read Urdu script although they speak Urdu at home. They were educated in Hindi medium and are comfortable with it. Unless parents teach their children Urdu at home they will not be comfortable with Urdu script. Although state governments have given some help to urdu schools their standards are low. There are no science and mathematics books in Urdu hence the emphasis on learning Urdu is on language and poetry rather than science and mathematics.

‘Finding’ the ‘lost’ Urdu: But did the language ever really go away? http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/finding-the-lost-urdu/99/

A large number of mushairas and qawwalis are being held in metropolitan cities, thus further helping Urdu make a “comeback”.

http://adserver.adtech.de/?adlink/1505/5584602/0/16/AdId=-3;BnId=0;itime=181816784;

A large number of mushairas and qawwalis are being held in metropolitan cities, thus further helping Urdu make a “comeback”.

Written by Irena Akbar | Posted: February 17, 2015 5:39 pm | Updated: February 17, 2015 5:47 pm

There is Faiz in the air. Urdu, the “lost” language of the poets, the hopeless romantics and the ardent idealists, is “re-emerging”. Several online Facebook groups are dedicated to varied Urdu poets, and Urdu learning websites such as Rekhta and Urduwallahs are becoming popular. Pakistani soap operas, broadcast on Zindagi channel, too are helping “revive” the language that “got lost due to Partition”. A large number of mushairas and qawwalis are being held in metropolitan cities, thus further helping Urdu make a “comeback”.

The question, however, is, did Urdu really go away? If anything, it has stayed on, through Bollywood songs, and since the 1990s, through Hindi news channels. Hindi news channels relay “khabrein”, not “samachar”, as was by Doordarshan. Reporters talk of a “shakhs”, not a “vyakti”, and use “adalat” instead of “nyayalaya”, for example. So, since the 1990s, the use of Urdu in popular media has gone beyond just Hindi cinema and extended to television news. Certainly, the language has not been “dying” as Urdu “revivalists” claim.

What has been dying is not the language, but the credit given to the language. Most people don’t know that many of the words spoken in Hindi films or news channels are Urdu. This is not a case of war between Hindi and Urdu. Both languages are closely linked to and depend on each other for their survival. After Partition, Urdu came to be identified with Muslims. “Muslim” Urdu became the state language of Pakistan and was imposed on native Punjabi, Sindhi and Pashtun speakers. In northern India, the land of Urdu and Hindi, the language lost its popularity among non-Muslim Hindi speakers because of its “Muslim” label. Publishers of Urdu books began focusing only on religious literature, further making it less attractive for the non-Muslim audience. In sad contrast, there was a time when Hindu poets like Firaq Gorakhpuri added so much to Urdu heritage.

After Partition, and even now, it is Hindi cinema and news that have ensured Urdu its space in popular culture. But let’s not get patronising here. Urdu writers such as Salim Khan, Javed Akhtar, Sahir Ludhianvi and Shakeel Badayuni have contributed immensely to Hindi cinema. In fact, many Hindi film titles are in Urdu, like Mohabbatein, Kurbaan, Dil, etc. Most Hindi film singers and actors take classes in Urdu diction. Had it not been for Urdu, would we ever have timeless Bollywood dialogues like “Mogambo khush hua” or “Kitne aadmi the” or “Main tumhara khoon pee jaaoonga”?

Yes, “khush”, “aadmi” and “khoon” are Urdu words. And here is the flipside to the Hindi-Urdu marriage. Urdu has so often been used in Hindi cinema — which is a good thing — that Urdu words are now mistaken as Hindi — which is a bad thing. Hindi has helped Urdu grow in popular culture, but in the process, it has stolen (for lack of a better word) many Urdu words and added to its lexicon. How many of us know that “paani”, “duniya”, “gussa” and “baad” are Urdu words? In Hindi, these words are translated as “jal”, “jag”, “krodh” and “pashchaat”. Some people, thankfully, call this mixed lexicon “Hindustani”, thus acknowledging the frequent use of Urdu in Hindi. In fact, even as the government goes overboard in promoting Sanskrit, its ministers use Urdu words like “Ram-zaade” or “Haraam-zaade” to put their messages across.

But it’s neither the fault of Hindi or Urdu for the dying acknowledgment of the use of Urdu. Languages are used by people, and it’s only people who can make them thrive, survive or perish. So, for the sake of acknowledgment of the the use of Urdu, Hindi and Urdu speakers need to put in their efforts. Sadly, that’s not how it is. Take Zindagi channel. Despite garnering critical appraise and TRPs not just for broadcasting better content but also for “bringing back Urdu to the living rooms”, it has adopted a new tag line: “India’s premium Hindi channel”. When everyone is loving the Urdu being spoken in its serials, why not call itself “India’s premium Urdu channel”? Some say it is a way to attract more viewers. But how will Urdu in its tag line repel viewers? My sad guess is the channel’s decision is probably because of the language’s “Muslim” association.

And here comes the responsibility of Urdu speakers, primarily Muslims of north India. I am not getting into how governments, Muslim political leaders or organisations need to go about Urdu’s cause. I am talking about ordinary Urdu speakers. Here’s a small but telling example. I follow a Facebook page called “Lucknow”. A year or so back, the page would share posts which would display a word, its origin and its use in a couplet. The word, and the couplet, would be displayed in Roman and Devnagri scripts. The origin of the word would invariably be mentioned as Persian or Arabic. It was clear the word belonged to the Urdu language. But why no mention of Urdu? I asked the administrator of the page if, alongside the Roman and Devngari scripts, the word could be written in Persian script, so that people know it’s Urdu. The administrator, a Lucknow-based Muslim, said he had a “space problem” and “nobody understands Urdu”. It’s when other followers of the page, mostly non-Muslim, started demanding that they would like to read the word in Persian script, that the administrator agreed to my suggestion.

At the launch of an Urdu daily in the capital about two years ago, prominent Muslim businessman Sirajuddin Qureshi had said that he had started an Urdu newspaper some time back but no Muslim family he knew subscribed to it and so he had to shut it down. Also, when the Census was being conducted sometime in 1999-2000, some of our Muslim neighbours had said their native language was Hindi, even though they spoke Urdu at home. Their explanation: “Who cares about Urdu now”.

Such uninterested, defeatist “Urdu-is-dead-who-cares” attitude among Muslims will ensure the language continues to be denied the credit it deserves. In such times, it is good news that social media, and Pakistani serials are doing their bit for the Urdu cause. But here too, it would be great to see if praise for Urdu is not limited to just its poetry, but also extends to its simple, humble words that we use in our everyday lives. Ummeed hai hamari khwahish poori ho.

Dakkani Urdu Humor by Gautam Pemmaraju

Auron par hasney ka anjaam jo hoga so hoga;
Lekin voh qaum nahin miththi jo apney aap par hansti hai.
The consequences of laughing at others will be what they are.

But the people who laugh at themselves will never be erased.

Ghouse Khamakah Last week, at a screening of my documentary film (a work in progress) on the humour-satire performance poetry traditions of Dakhani, the spoken vernacular Urdu of the Deccan region, one of the first to arrive was the eighty-six year old bright-eyed, warm and charming Ghouse Mohiuddin 'Khamakha'. The above couplet of his has remained with me over the years, and its current relevance is but obvious as we see the unfolding of several disturbing things.

As fleeting relief I offer some fine examples of Dakhani Mizahiya Shayri (humour-satire poetry) here. The richness of the vernacular, drawing largely from folk traditions and situated as it is further down the interrupted path of the glorious rise of the language till 1700 CE, is expressed amply in the humour-satire poetry in the Deccan. Stricken though it may be by the vicissitudes of time, the triumph of conquests, and the contempt of the elite, the tongue still remains spoken today across the Deccan plateau.

Firstly, here's something from Mohammad Himayatullah, another senior poet and the true inheritor of the legacy.

Sawaal apna bhi poora hoinga?
Kya hai ki, kya nai ki.

Yeh bandey ku kabhi sukh hoinga?
Kya hai ki, kya nai ki.

Arre Allah, tu mashuka ku duniya mey chuda daala.
Marey baad hooran deyinga?
Kya hai ki, kya nai ki.

Will my question be answered ever?
What it is, what it's not, who knows.
Will I find some contentment ever?
What it is, what it's not, who knows.

Hey Allah, you've filled the world with beautiful maidens.
And after death, virgin angels forever?
What it is, what it's not, who knows.
Himayatullah

The first big name in Dakhani humour-satire poetry is Nazeer Ahmed 'Dahqani' originally from Jangaon village in Nalgonda, Telangana. His nephew, Khwaja Qutbuddin, who is at the Bahadur Yar Jung Academy in Karachi, recited this pithy gem for us—the folksy desperate prayer of a man in need.

Allah izzat bahut dey.
Allah shoharat bahut dey.
Allah daulat bahut dey.
Nai deta to maut dey.

Allah, great respect, grant me.
Allah, great fame, grant me.
Allah, great wealth, grant me.
If not, then death, grant me.

Another early name is Ali Saheb Miyan. When I first met Ghouse 'Khamakha' a few years ago, he recited this; a chavva (quatrain) expressing the wry, deadpan cynicism of a rural labourer.

Haddiyaan tutey talak yettiyaan karate rahey.
Gando ki baat ayi to phirkiyaan phiratey rahey.
Umar tamaam yuich kati Ali Saheb ki.
Amma ka khaye, mamu key bakriyaan charatey rahey.

They made me labour till every bone broke.
But at payday, they spun me around like a joke.
Life passed this way for Ali Saheb Miyan.
Living off his mother; tending his uncle's goat.

This sense of wretchedness and desperation, tinged with a lush satirical colour, is found widely in this kind of Dakhani poetry. Wealth, leisure and creature comforts allow for other sorts of concerns and reflections; here though it is to do with the immediate environment.

Gilli Nalgondvi, another late poet, offers much the same:
Aabroo waley chindiyaan mey bhi tan ko dhaaptain.
Behaya ku phatti chaddi rai to kya, nai rai to kya?

Those with honour will if need be cover themselves in tatters.
But for the shameless, does it matter if he has torn shorts or not?

Sarwar Danda was much loved in Hyderabad. His poetry, which he often sung with what people recall as unmatched charm and skill, more often than not speaks for the underdog. He is one of the few to use Telugu words in his poetry. Although he mingled with the progressive writers and Communist Party members (he was a good friend to the revolutionary poet Makhdoom Mohiuddin), Danda remained aloof from all persuasions. He was his own man.

Sadaa mere gavaan po ghurbat ka mausam
?na faaqon se fursat, na dum meich hai dum
?Yaan dhoti bhi gat nai, vaan unku hai resham
?Ide naa mana deesham, Ide naa mana deesham

Always there is here the climate of despair
No relief from starvation; strength is but rare.
Here clothes are all shreds; but velvets shine there.
This nation we share; this nation we share.

CityViewHyd

The late, great Sulaiman Khateeb was famous for being able to deftly change the tone and mood of the poem being recited. From ‘wah' to ‘aah', as is commonly said. From the comic to the solemn, in one quick move. In these lines of domestic banter, a domineering mother-in-law spars sharply with the devrani (her son's bride), when the latter evokes the great Mirza Ghalib to express her hopelessness.

Kaun Ghalib yeh tera saga hai
Ki kalejey ko thaam leti hai.
Itti deeda-dileri dekho maa!
Ghair mardaan ka naam leti hai!

Who is this Ghalib to you,
that you embrace him so true?!
Such passion with which you take, oh my!
A strange man's name, shame on you!

Digs at wives, much like in stand-up comedy, are quite popular. Most poets have a few up their sleeves. Here ‘Khamakha' transposes general male philandering onto a leader, giving it a ‘political' twist:

Ek leader sey poocha mainey, kya yeh acchi aadat hai?
Har aurat ko taktey ho tum; biwi ki bhi chahat hai.
Leader boley, tum kya jaano, yeh bhi ek siyasat hai.
Aurat meri kamzori hai, biwi meri taaqat hai.

To a leader I once asked; what habit of yours is this?
Every woman you ogle; surely, a wife also there is.
What do you know he said, a kind of politics is also this.
Women are my weakness; my strength though, the wife is.

In today's times apart from the octogenarians—Himayatullah and ‘Khamakha'—there are quite a few poets who routinely perform at regional mushairas. But as is generally observed, many of them use catch phrases, slang words and sounds, or slogans; few really do truly Dakhani poetry. Many of the contemporary poets comment on the events of our times, particularly conflict. Sardar Asar recites this couplet off and on:

Bam key nazdeek jako dekha mai,
Zafrani tha; hara thodiyich hai.
I went close to the bomb and looked at it.
It was saffron in colour; not at all green.

He has previously angered a few by lampooning murshads and sajjadas (a common theme in the poetry).

Thodi chak ko dekho bola Murshad ku
Poori sheshi pey gaya na, ghat bolkey!
I told the Murshad to take just a sip.
He downed the whole bottle in a glug!

A few poets write and sing of drink. The metaphoric taverns and intoxication of mystical poetry is of course quite widespread in both folk traditions and high literature alike. But the regional drink, the sendi, is eulogized here in a charming, if melancholic manner, by Shamsheer Kodangali, a poet who passed a few years back. True to his Telangana roots, he says:

Mera sendi mey padey dam,
dulhey-bhai salaamalaikum.

Roz jeney ki hai khat-khat,
Kab talak jaan ku jhanjhat,

Mar bhi nai jaatey chatachat
Aaj pi lengi ghataghat

Door kar lengey chalo gham
Dulhey-bhai salaamalaikum.

My drink is fierce some
Brother-friend salaamalaikum.

This day-after-day grind
Till when must I mind

A quick death would be kind
Let's drink ourselves blind

Lighten our sorrows some
Brother-friend salaamalaikum.

It would indeed be quite nice to do away with some of our current sorrows. But as always, we remind blind, and whether it is Peshawar or Paris, we are but left woefully inadequate to cope with the countless sorrows, as the fabulous Himayatullah says in the quatrain below. To his gentle wisdom I raise a toast.

Tumay viraan khandaron ku diye to bastiyaan detain.
Jo ghoday ka dua maangta, usey tum hathiyaan detain.
Aji Allah, aankhaan bhi humko bahut dena tha.
Lakhon key gham diye; roney ku sirf do ankhiyaan detain.

To lonesome ruins, a bustling hamlet you give.
He who asks for a horse; an elephant to him you give.
Hey Allah, you should have given us many eyes.
Millions of sorrows; to cry only two eyes you give.

QuliQutbShah

- See more at: http://www.3quarksdaily.com/3quarksdaily/2015/01/laughing-at-others.html#sthash.WmzoK4G1.dpuf

A mera dharam kahan tha? ये मेरा धर्म कहाँ था ?

I wrote this poem to make a point - i.e., we the individuals make the mistakes but  we always blame it on religions, particularly other's religion. The is the story of a man who is a Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh and other ... He is the one who makes the mistakes but we tend to blame his religion.

We have to blame the individual who makes the mistake, and not his spouse, parents, siblings, kids, pundit, imam, rabbi, pastor or shaman. We should not even blame his even his Mayor, nation or religion.

The individual is the criminal, blame him and haul him off.  


If a rapist is running around in the neighborhood, every one becomes apprehensive and frightened, once the guy is caught, there is a relief. Like wise, we need to focus on terrorists and get the guy, like Obama got Bin Laden instead of blaming his religion.

You can punish the guy and restore justice. You cannot punish the religion, it is not a thing which you can kill, kick, hang, beat up, shoot or bury it, then why bark at it? 

This poem expresses those thoughts, this individual cheats on his wife, not because of his religion, it is because of who he is, cheats his friends in business, not because he is Hindu, Musalmaan or Sikh, but because he is who he is. All the evil is packed in this Nazm.

By the way, it is a Nasri-Nazam, a new format of story telling, so, a few lines are longer to make the point. 

Unwaan/Vishay hai

A mera dharam kahan tha?

 ये मेरा धर्म कहाँ था ?

My nay chori ki wave-haar may
Dhoka diya doston ko;
A mera apna charitar tha,
a mera dharam kahan tha?

मैंने चोरी की व्यवहार में
धोखा दिया दोस्तों को
यह मेरा अपना चरित्र था
ये मेरा धर्म कहाँ था ?

My nay patni say bewafayee ki
aur girl friends say bhi;
A mera apna hi paap tha,
a mera dharam kahan tha?

मैंने पत्नी से बेवफ़ाई की
और गर्ल-फ्रेंड से भी

यह मेरा अपना पाप था
ये मेरा धर्म कहाँ था ?

Ganga jal say paap  dhoye,
Hajj say Gunah bhi saaf kiye;
Ji, my waisay ka waisa hi raha
a mera dharam kahan tha?

गंगा जल से पाप धोये
हज से गुनाह भी साफ़ किये

जी, मैं वैसे का वैसा ही रहा
ये मेरा धर्म कहाँ था ?

My aatank wadi bhi bana,
Allahu Akbar bhi kaha
A mazhab nay kab sikhaya tha,
a mera dharam kahan tha?

मैं आतंकवादी भी बना
अल्लाह हू अकबर भी कहा
ये मज़हब ने कब सिखाया था
ये मेरा धर्म कहाँ था ?

My nay babri masjid ko toda
Raam ka naam bhi liya;
A kisi ka dharam kahan tha,
a mera dharam kahan tha?

मैं ने बाबरी मस्जिद को तोड़ा
राम का नाम भी लिया
ये किस्सी का धर्म कहाँ था
ये मेरा धर्म कहाँ था

My nay shiaoon ko, Hinduoon ko/ Ahmadiyon ko,
aur Maseehhon ko takleefien di; ( to make the point)
Mardood my, kalank Sunni pay laga tha,
a mera dharam kahan tha?

मैं ने शियाओं को , हिन्दुओं को , अहमदियों को
और मसींहों को तकलीफें दीं
मरदूद मैं , कलंक सुन्नियों पर था
ये मेरा धर्म कहाँ था

Gar ilzaam lagana to lagao mujh per
saza do mujh ko,
a ayeb mera zaati tha,
a mera dharam kahan tha?

गर इलज़ाम लगाना है तो लगाओ मुझ पर
सजा दो मुझ को
ये ऐब मेरा जाती था
ये मेरा धर्म कहाँ था ?

Samaj my nyaye ho
to Shanti bhi, pragati bhi;
Chora Chor ko, budnaam dharam tha
a mera dharam kahan tha?

समाज में न्याय हो
तो शांति भी, प्रगति भी
छोड़ा चोर को, बदनाम धर्म को किया था
ये मेरा धर्म कहाँ था ?

Thakna mere kaam nahin hai
My unhee samjhata his rahoonga sahir
My nay jo bhi kiya, o mera kiya tha
a mera dharam kahan tha?

थकना मेरा काम नहीं है
मैं उन्हें समझाता ही रहूँगा साहिर
मैं ने जो भी किया था , वो मेरा किया था
ये मेरा धर्म कहाँ था

Site: www.UrduHindi.net
Link: http://urduhindinet.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-mera-dharam-kahan-tha.html

Thank you
mike

Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
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Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on Pluralism at work place, politics, religion, society, gender, race, culture, ethnicity, food and foreign policy. He is a staunch defender of human rights and his book standing up for others will be out soon, and a movie "Americans together" is in the making.  He is a frequent guest commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in 63 links atwww.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com and 10 other blogs. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. 

16th Annual Thanksgiving Celebrations & Mushaera

Let your thanksgiving be a little more meaningful and purposeful this year. If you have been around in Dallas for a while, you would know the "Thanksgiving Celebrations &  Awards Night" a 20 year old tradition we had left off a few years ago. Unlike the large gatherings in the past, we are limiting this to a small gathering of 100 at this time.

Its an evening to appreciate and express our gratitude,  and enjoy the Dinner  with people of different faiths, races, and ethnicities with a belief that the more we learn about each other, the less misunderstandings we would have.   If we can learn to respect the otherness of others and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.  

The event is to benefit America Together Foundation, a non-profit charity committed to building a cohesive America where no American has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.

Master Chef Ali will prepare a special thanksgiving plate that you'll cherish it. Ali is my favorite Chef for 20 plus years in Dallas. You'll enjoy the food.

• Event: Thanksgiving Dinner 
• Saturday, November 22, 2014
• Dinner Theme: Gratitude
• 07:30 -09:30 Dinner
• 09:30 - 11:45 Poetry Session in Urdu, Hindi and English languages
• Place: Spicy Cuisine, Restaurant,
• Address: 1800 Valley View Ln, Irving, TX 75061

For those who speak Urdu and Hindi languages, a poetry session will be carried out after the dinner.

Website: www.ThanksgivingCelebrations.org
Website: www.AmericaTogetherfoundation.com 

RSVP IS A MUST - EMAIL 
Thanksgivingcelebrations@gmail.com 
It is a must to give a head count to the Chef.
 Please order your table or individual place at Eventbrite:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/thanksgiving-dinner-mushaera-tickets-13695612947?aff=efbevent

Sponsorships:  Table of 10 $500 or $1000 | Individual donations $20/$50
It's a non-profit org They are tax deductible under Non-profit Organization 501 (3) (c) - America Together Foundation. 

  Thank you
Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 text/talk

Kavya Goshti in Dallas - Hindi Poetry Session

Sunday, November 16, 2014 - The Hindi Committee organized a Kavya Goshti in Dallas at the DFW Hindu Temple on the occasion of Diwali Celebrations at the Temple.

About 15 of us recited our poetry. Between the Urdu poets and Hindi Poets in Dallas, life could not be better. The title of my poem was " A mera dharam kahan tha" the poetry is written in a way to make it more Hindi-ized or Urdu-ized, and I have done it both ways. It was a joy to hear good poetry, and two of the poets recited humor poetry and that was incredible.

Kavi Jain Chaudhry wrote poetry about his office environment that he relished after four years - when he took his kids there. I have asked him to join us at thanksgiving Dinner on 11/22/14 and recited that poetry. Details at www.ThanksgivingCelebrations.org

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Title of my poem: A Mera Dharam Kahan tha

Dosto, es kavita may aap ek pursh ke anek paap ke roop dekheingey, parantu, kuch log, blame us ke dharm pay lagate hain. Her ek ka dharam us ke maa ke samaan hota hai. Paap Manush karta hai, dharm kabhi bhi a shikhsha nahin deta.

Dharam koi cheez nahin hai jis ko goli maar di jaye, pitayee ki jaye, a phansi ke phande pay lagaye jaye. Ilzaam usi pay lagao jis nay Jurm kiya hai, es say samaj may wapas shanti aajati hai…

Misaal ke tor pay,agar koi rapist aap ke mohallay may ghus aaya to sub ke sab parehshan hotay hain, jab tak us ko pakda na jaye, ashanti barkarar rahegi, agar hum kutton ki tarah us ke Parivar, dharam ya jati ki taraf bhokein gay, kuch honay wala nahin hai. Isi tarah, aatank wadi ko pakdo, salay ki pitayee karo, ya dafa 420 ki tehet us ko saza do to baat banti hai.

My nay chori ki wave-haar may
Dhoka diya doston ko;
A mera apna charitar tha,
a mera dharam kahan tha?

My nay patni say bewafayee ki
aur girl friends say bhi;
A mera apna hi paap tha,
a mera dharam kahan tha?

Ganga jal say paap dhoye,
Hajj say Gunah bhi saaf kiye;
Ji, my waisay ka waisa hi raha
a mera dharam kahan tha?

My aatank wadi bhi bana,
Allahu Akbar bhi kaha
A mazhab nay kab sikhaya tha,
a mera dharam kahan tha?

My nay babri masjid ko toda
Raam ka naam bhi liya;
A kisi ka dharam kahan tha,
a mera dharam kahan tha?

My nay shiaoon ko, Hinduoon ko/ Ahmadiyon ko,
aur Maseehhon ko takleefien di;
Mardood my, kalank Sunni pay tha,
a mera dharam kahan tha?

Gar ilzaam lagana to lagao mujh per
saza do mujh ko,
a ayeb mera zaati tha,
a mera dharam kahan tha?

Samaj my nyaye ho
to Shanti bhi, pragati bhi;
Chora Chor ko, budnaam dharam ko kiya tha
a mera dharam kahan tha?

Thakna mere kaam nahin hai
My unhee samjhata his rahoonga sahir
My nay jo bhi kiya, o mera kiya tha
a mera dharam kahan tha?

Dhanyawaad

Mike Ghouse Sahir
www.MikeGhouse.net

Thanksgiving Dinner Mushaera

Let your thanksgiving be a little more meaningful and purposeful this year. If you have been around Dallas for a while, you would know the "Thanksgiving Celebrations & Awards Night" a 15 year old tradition we had left off a few years ago. Unlike the large gatherings in the past, we are limiting this to 200 as a re-start. Its an evening to appreciate, express our gratitude and enjoy the Dinner.

The event is to benefit America Together Foundation, a non-profit charity committed to building a cohesive America by bringing Americans of different faiths, races, and ethnicities together with a belief that the more we learn about each other, the less misunderstandings we would have. 

Master Chef Ali will prepare a special thanksgiving plate that you'll cherish it. Ali is my favorites Chefs for 20 plus years in Dallas. You'll enjoy the food.

For those who speak Urdu and Hindi languages, a poetry session will be carried out after the dinner.

Thanksgiving Dinner Mushaera
Saturday, November 22, 2014
7:30 -11:30 - be on time.
Spicy Cuisine, Restaurant,
1800 Valley View Ln, Irving, TX 75061

Dinner event regular $20/person
Dinner event VIP $50/person
Donations appreciated, it's a non-profit org
Dinner Theme: Gratitude
 
Please click the following link to order your ticket from eventbrite by 11/20/22 for better planning. http://www.eventbrite.com/e/thanksgiving-dinner-mushaera-tickets-13695612947

No last minute purchases, let's plan and plan it well.
  It's a volunteer based effort and let's honor each others time.

Sponsorships are invited.  

Donations are tax deductible under Non-profit Organization 501 (3) (c) - America Together Foundation. Please visit www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com

NOTE TO OUR POETS:

Thanksgiving Mushaera - reflecting on the theme of gratitude from God to family, friends, employers... customers, clients, patients, doctors, nurses, janitors, workers....men and women in the blue or even strangers who have done good...to create a better communities.

Poets are invited to recite their poetry, and must submit their poem to UrduHindinet@gmail.com by 11/11/14 in Urdu, Hindi or English language to be included in the program. Please include a 100 word introduction in your own words.

Thank you
mike
Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 text/talk

Urdu Mushaera in Irving with Munawar Rana, Sunil Jogi and many more poets

Thanksgiving Dinner Mushaera

Let your thanksgiving be a little more meaningful and purposeful this year. If you have been around Dallas for a while, you would know the "Thanksgiving Celebrations & Awards Night" a 15 year old tradition we had left off a few years ago. Unlike the large gatherings in the past, we are limiting this to 200 as a re-start. Its an evening to appreciate, express our gratitude and enjoy the Dinner.

The event is to benefit America Together Foundation, a non-profit charity committed to building a cohesive America by bringing Americans of different faiths, races, and ethnicities together with a belief that the more we learn about each other, the less misunderstandings we would have.
For those who speak Urdu and Hindi languages, a poetry session will be carried out after the dinner.
 
Thanksgiving Dinner Mushaera 
Saturday, November 22, 2014
7:30 -11:30 - be on time.
Dinner event -Regular donation $20/person
Dinner event -VIP donation $50/person
Non-Profit Organization
Dinner Theme:  Gratitude

Please click the following link to order your ticket from eventbrite by 11/20/22 for better planning. http://www.eventbrite.com/e/thanksgiving-dinner-mushaera-tickets-13695612947

No last minute purchases, let's plan and plan it well.
 
It's a volunteer based effort and let's honor each others time.

Sponsorships are invited.  

Donations are tax deductible under Non-profit Organization 501 (3) (c) - America Together Foundation. Please visit www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com

NOTE TO OUR POETS:

Thanksgiving Mushaera - reflecting on the theme of gratitude from God to family, friends, employers... customers, clients, patients, doctors, nurses, janitors, workers....men and women in the blue or even strangers who have done good...to create a better communities.

Poets are invited to recite their poetry, and must submit their poem to UrduHindinet@gmail.com by 11/11/14 in Urdu, Hindi or English language to be included in the program. Please include a 100 word introduction in your own words.

Thank you
mike
Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 text/talk

Louisville Mushaera - Kavi Sammelan with Munawwar Rana, Dr. Sunil Jogi and Archana Panda

Mushaera and Hasiya Kavi Sammelan

Time: Sunday, September 14, 2014 @7:30 PM (On Time) 
Place: Ramada Plaza, 9700 Bluegrass Pkwy, Louisville, KY 40299
Tea and refreshment provided | no Dinner.
Website: www.UrduHindi.net

Purchase your tickets

• Tickets Special VIP $100 | VIP $50 | Regular $20
• America Together Foundation:: http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/ 
• Event Brite :: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hindi-urdu-mushaera-kavi-sammelan-with-3-biggest-names-in-louisville-ky-tickets-12863766873

Biggest Names in Urdu Hindi Poetry

• Munawwar Rana - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLppmKvZQSA 
• Dr. Sunil Jogi - http://drsuniljogi.com/ 
• Archana Panda - http://archanapanda.com

You'll laugh with Dr. Sunil Jogi, pause and reflect about a woman’s life from cradle to grave with Archana Panda and feel good and tender with Munawwar Rana's poetry on Maa and life in general. We hope, you will walk out of the hall with joy and feel good about yourselves as it will prove to be a motivational and a memorable evening. Please make sure your friends don’t miss this

Contact:
Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916
Avinash Goel (502) 228-3738
Yasmeen Sardar (502) 819-6814
Ankit Sheth (502) 592-4661
Dr. Ibrahim Syed (502) 423-1988
Nutan Arora (469) 360-2597
Noor Amrohvi (972) 859-0647
Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916 
Posters

• Poster-Flier in PDF
• Poster-Flier in JPG

 





Sponsors and volunteers are invited to participate
Grand Sponsors: Juneja FLP, Ramada Plaza Hotel and Dr. Asad Ismail
Refreshments by Masala Grill

LISTED AT THE FOLLOWING:

• Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/335121639980756/
• America Together Foundation:: http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/ 
• Event Brite :: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hindi-urdu-mushaera-kavi-sammelan-with-3-biggest-names-in-louisville-ky-tickets-12863766873
• Desi Louisville :: http://www.desilouisville.com/indian-events-desi-events-indian-movies-indian-community-events.php 
• Louisville :: http://www.louisville.com/louisville-events/hindi-urdu-mushaera-kavi-sammelan-3-biggest-names-louisville-ky
• Eventful :: http://louisville.eventful.com/events/hindi-urdu-mushaera-kavi-sammelan-3-biggest-n-/E0-001-074398338-2

Indians and Pakistanis Together in Louisville

America Together Foundation is pleased to present a Poetry Session in Urdu-Hindi Language(s) in Louisville, Kentucky with two of the biggest names in Urdu-Hindi poetry.

Event: Mushaera and Hasiya Kavi Sammelan
Date: 7:30 – 11:30 PM on Sunday, September 14, 2014
Place: Ramada Plaza, 9700 Bluegrass Pkwy, Louisville, KY 40299


Poets:
Munawwar Rana - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLppmKvZQSA
Dr. Sunil Jogi - http://drsuniljogi.com/
Archana Panda - http://archanapanda.com

Sponsors and volunteers are invited to participate

Tickets:
VIP $50 | Regular $20 | Student with ID $15
Tickets Purchase at http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/
or Call (214) 325-1916
Contact:

Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916
Avinash Goel (502) 228-3738
Yasmeen Sardar (502) 819-6814
Ankit Sheth (502) 592-4661
Dr. Ibrahim Syed (502) 423-1988
Nutan Arora (469) 360-2597
Noor Amrohvi (972) 859-0647
Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916 

We are pleased to have Munawwar Rana accept our invitation to be here in Kentucky, he is one of the most sought after poetry reciters in the world, his famous poetry on Mother holds the audience together on common ground.

Dr. Sunil Jogi is one of the biggest names in Hindi Hasiya (Humor) poetry in India, and is difficult to make an appointment with him; we are pleased that he accepted the invitation.

Arachna Panda specialized in poetry about Women in Desi Culture, all of us can relate with how a woman is treated with dignity as well as no-dignity.

Our Mission at America Together foundation is to build a cohesive America where no American has to live in apprehension or fear of the other; we have a program to bring about a positive change. All of it is at www.AmericaTogetherfoundation.com andwww.StandingupforOthers.com

We hope to bring the Urdu-Hindi speaking people from India, Pakistan and the diaspora together to enjoy the poetry, a part of our culture that binds us.

You can donate at: http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/

The organizer Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and writer on pluralism in culture, religion, politics, gender, food and work places. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

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