A New Spring of Poetry Bloomed in Mumbai - and It Was Unforgettable
There are evenings that stay with you long after the lights go out - evenings where words linger in the air like the scent of rain on dry earth, where a single couplet can make a room full of strangers feel like family. Qaafiya Bazm-e-Adab has always believed in the magic of such evenings. And on 14th December 2025, that magic came alive once again.
Bahaar-e-Nau - a Youth Mushaira & Kavi Sammelan - brought together young poetic voices, rising talent, and the timeless art of Urdu-Hindi literature under one roof for an evening that no one who was there will easily forget.
What Was Bahaar-e-Nau?
Bahaar-e-Nau literally means "A New Spring" - and that is exactly what this event stood for. It was a platform where fresh voices bloomed, where young poets stepped onto the stage not just to recite verses, but to tell their stories, speak their truths, and connect with an audience that felt every word.
In a world overwhelmed with noise, Bahaar-e-Nau offered something rarer and more precious: meaningful expression.
Organized by Qaafiya Bazm-e-Adab in association with Swar Sangam Foundation and Gulistaan-e-Hind, the event brought together the best of Mumbai's emerging poetic talent alongside distinguished literary personalities - creating an evening that was as inspiring as it was unforgettable.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, 14th December 2025 Time: 4:00 PM Onwards Venue: Virangula Kendra, Indira Gandhi Hospital Building, 1st Floor, Above Library, Poonam Sagar Complex, Mira Road East, Mumbai - 401107 Entry: Free for all
The Luminaries Who Graced the Stage
Every great mehfil is shaped by the presence of those who have walked the path of poetry for years - whose words carry the weight of experience and the warmth of wisdom.
Presiding over the evening as Sadar-e-Mehfil was the esteemed Hridesh Mayank Ji, a celebrated literary figure whose poetry has moved countless hearts and whose presence alone elevated the gathering to something truly special.
Joining him as Mehman-e-Khususi (Special Guests) were Rakesh Sharma, a voice of quiet depth and powerful imagery; Arif Mehmoodabadi, whose mastery of Urdu poetry needs no introduction; Mustahsan Azm, known for his sharp wit and soulful expression; and Qamar Shaikh, a poet who weaves emotion and elegance with effortless grace.
Steering the evening with his trademark charm as Nazim-e-Mehfil (Host) was Irfan Shaikh, whose ability to hold a gathering with warmth and energy made every moment of the programme feel alive.
The Young Voices - The Soul of Bahaar-e-Nau
If the distinguished guests were the roots that held this mehfil steady, the young poets were the branches that made it bloom. Bahaar-e-Nau existed for them - for the writers still finding their stage, the voices the world hadn't yet heard enough of.
The evening featured performances by Zakki Khan, Manzoor Islam Jahagir, Sardar Ali Syed, Neeraj Neer, Lalit Modi, Hamza Khan, Nirdesh Affy, Ali Haider Ali, Manju Sharma, Manisha Singh, Bhagyshree Rajbhar, Osama Muhandis, Nafis Shaikh, and Rahas.
Each of them brought something unique - a different lived experience, a different shade of emotion, a different way of seeing the world. Together, they proved that the future of Urdu-Hindi poetry is in very capable hands.
Why Qaafiya Bazm-e-Adab Does This
Since its inception, Qaafiya Bazm-e-Adab has been more than an organization - it has been a movement. A movement that believes poetry is not a relic of the past, but a living, breathing force that can heal, inspire, challenge, and unite.
Through initiatives like Salam-e-Kalam and Chai-with-Friends, Qaafiya has consistently worked to make literature accessible - not just to the literary elite, but to anyone who has ever felt something too deep for ordinary words.
Bahaar-e-Nau was the purest expression of that mission: to nurture young talent, to honour the art of poetry, and to build a community where words matter.
The event was coordinated by Hari Prasad Rai, whose dedication to Mumbai's literary landscape has been instrumental in making evenings like this possible.
An Evening to Remember
The audience that gathered at Virangula Kendra on that December evening did not just witness poetry - they experienced it. They laughed, they reflected, and more than once, they fell silent in that rare and beautiful way that only great shayari can achieve.
Bahaar-e-Nau 2025 was a reminder that in this fast-paced world, there is still space for beauty, for reflection, and for art. And as long as Qaafiya Bazm-e-Adab continues its work, there always will be.
Presented by Qaafiya Bazm-e-Adab | In association with Swar Sangam Foundation & Gulistaan-e-Hind
