An online session organised by Prabha Khaitan Foundation and Kalam saw Dastangoi artiste and author
Himanshu Bajpai
in conversation with Nandita Bhaskar. Himanshu kicked off the interactive virtual event with a beautiful
Urdu
couplet, and spoke about his love for the language.
The former journalist and author then transported the audience to Chowk in Lucknow, which is where he first fell in love with Urdu. He spoke of the city’s tehzeeb, the colloquial Lucknawi language and the fading appreciation for Urdu poems and literature in India. Himanshu also stressed on why it is important to keep the
Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb
alive, “The experts and oral historians of Lucknow are ageing and we need younger custodians. We are letting go of the composite culture that once thrived in Lucknow and in our entire country.”
Harkaran Singh, GM of a city hotel who joined the session, said, “It was a pleasure to hear from Himanshu. His art of storytelling was truly enjoyable and the satire was very entertaining. I wish we could hear him in person. The online sessions arranged by Prabha Khaitan Foundation and Kalam during these times have just been wonderful and gives such an amazing opportunity for us to be hearing such enthusiastic and talented writers like him.”
Start a Conversation
Post comment