It was, presumably, the first such Id Milan, organized on Sunday by Anjuman-e-Hadeeqatul Adab. The elite of Mysore was invited to this harmony meeting. Dr. K Javeed Nayeem, who conducted the function, appealed to the guests to send in their feedback on the exercise.
The Anjuman is a literary forum that dates back to 1930s. Started as a service agency by a public-spirited few – to run a boarding house for poor students and to conduct adult education classes – the Anjuman has grown into a prime caretaker of Urdu and its legacy in Mysore. Time there was when the city was known for its Anjuman-sponsored mushairas.
Why can’t we bring back those days, Dr Nayeen ? And how about some gazal concerts as well ? We can also do with plays in Urdu, and screening of films themed on Muslim culture and lifestyle. The Anjuman could package it all, as a week long full-fledged annual festival to celebrate Urdu, its glory.
The Anjuman says it is not exactly flushed with funds. Its upkeep is done through contributions of committee members, whose pockets are not deep enough to sustain an ever widening role of the Anjuman. Seeking public donation has never been the Anjuman style – ‘it is not our culture or practice’
In the circumstances the Anjuman says it could do with some government grants. And, if one might add, the organizers could also think of a more austere way to spread the harmony message. For a start, they could cut down on fancy Id meet at classy restaurants, with an elaborate multi-course buffet thrown in.
Writer and ex-vice-chancellor of Mysore University, Prof. D Jaware Gowda is reported to have called for winding up the Karnataka Urdu Academy and Konkani academy. He has alleged that they neglected their prime function, of translating Urdu and Konkani works into Kannada. – Report in DH, Nov.17, 2005
The prime function of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy is to develop Konkani literature, culture and arts, and support all such activities to promote Konkani in Karnataka, according to the academy president Mr Eric Ozario. He noted that despite stiff opposition from some quarters the academy took necessary steps to teach Konkani in schools using Kannada script. Some pressure groups had pressed for Devanagri. – DH, Nov.18, 2005