Celebs come together to celebrates Nida Fazli’s contributions in Delhi

The city recently played host to an event which celebrated the coming together of literature, art and music. The event, Adabi Cocktail, highlighted the various contributions to the realm of Indian literature and culture by Padma Shri Nida Fazli.
Actor Tom Alter, who recited Nida Fazli’s poems at the event, told us, “Recitation of his poetry is a celebration for me.Nida sahab’s poems are simple, emotional and direct.”
Explaining why this event was named Adabi Cocktail, Alter added, “Maine pehli baar jab yeh naam suna toh ajeeb laga kyunki cocktail peene ke baad aadmi beadab ho jata hai. Lekin jab yeh programme shuru hua, tab mujhe samajh mein aaya ki adab me deewangi honi chahiye, thodi si shararat honi chahiye, warna apne aap mein bahut sanjeeda ho jana padta hai.”
Backed by Amjad Khan on the tabla, Jazim Sharma mesmerised the audience with his renditions of Fazli’s poems. Spellbound by Sharma’s performance of Woh Ladki Yaad Aati Thi, Muhammad Faisal Abbas from the audience said, “This is my favourite poem by Fazli. It always reminds me of my childhood love.”
Sharma, who was honoured with the title of ‘Shehzada-e-Ghazal’ on the music reality show Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa, feels closely connected with Fazli’s work.“These are Fazli’s favourite ghazals that he personally gave me to compose. He is a poet of various moods, with each nazm having its own emotion.”
Parul Mishra, a singer from the Gwalior gharana, who sang at the event said, “The basics of singing are same as singing Bollywood songs, you just need to change the mood and add the adaa.” Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, who was also present at the event, released an album of Fazli’s poems composed by Jazim. Speaking about Adabi Cocktail, the minister said, “Alter’s style of recitation and the musical renditions of Fazli’s poems are a treat for art and music lovers.”
The audience also enjoyed a painting exhibition based on Fazli’s poetry by painter Geeta Dass.