Urdu Academy of North America hosts Jashn-e-Saleem Kausar
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali
The Urdu Academy of North America hosted Jshn-e-Saleem Kausar, a popular Urdu poet from Pakistan. The event, on June 17, 2018, was held at the Chandni Restaurant, Newark CA. 
Poet Arshad Rashid was MC of the event.
It was the first literary event of the Urdu Academy in 2018 and in about eight months. The Urdu Academy management pledged to resume its regular literary programs.
As usual, a number of Urdu enthusiasts read the poetry of Saleem Kausar: Tasadduq Hussain Attari, Hatem Rani, Kausar Sayed, Abdus Sattar Ghazali, Shehzar Basir, Zeeshan Abbasi and Ahmar Shahwar.
Poet Fayyaz Saeb spoke about his meeting with Saleem Kausar in Lahore when the poet gave him permission to publish his books in U.S.
Tashie Zaheer, President of the Urdu Academy presents a maqala on the life and work of Saleem Kausar.
Almas Shabwani sang two ghazals of Saleem Kausar while Syed Sarwat also sang Saleem Kausar's ghazals. He drew wide applause with presentation of Saleem Kausar's popular ghazal: "MeiN Khayaal HouN Kisii Aur Kaa + Sare Aa'eena Mera Aks Hai Pase Aa'eena Koi Aur Hai"
Saleem Kausar Kausar was born in August 1947 in Panipat, India. After partition, his family shifted to Pakistan and settled in Khanewal, Punjab, Pakistan. He got his primary and secondary education there. After that, he with his family moved to Kabeerwala. In the year of 1972, he shifted to Karachi city, where he has worked in several newspapers before joining Pakistan Television (PTV). He was retired several years ago.
Kausar started his literary career from Kabeerwala, where he met with renowned and national poets and learnt and practiced Urdu poetry. He also attended poetry gatherings. After moving to Karachi, he joined Urdu newspapers and wrote Qat’aas (quatrains), a form of Urdu poetry on a daily basis. He has written 5 collections of Urdu poetry. He became popular after his ghazal “Main khiyal hoon kisi aur ka” sung by various singers, was breakthrough in the year of 1980. He has visited many countries to participate the poetry gatherings, including Doha, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Middle East and India.
Saleem Kausar's five published poetry collections are: Muhabbat aik shajar ha (1994), Khali haathon mein arz-o-sama (1980), Yeh chiragh hai tau jala rahai (1987), Zara mausam badalnay dau (1991) and Duniya meri aarzoo se kam hey (2007).
A salient feature of the program was musical presentations. Asim Wali Khan presented two renditions of Saleem Kausar with music while he was also on keyboard. Asim Khan is an excellent key player. At one time he had his own musical band.
Almas Shabwani amused the audience with her melodious presentations of two ghazals of Saleem Kausar.
Entrepreneur Syed Sarwat thrilled the guests with his singing of ghazals of Saleem Kausar. He drew wide applause with singing of Saleem Kausar's most popular ghazal “Main khiyal hoon kisi aur ka.”
Syed Arshad was on tabla while Ali Shahbudding was on keboard.
The program ended with a vote of thanks for Syed Sarwat for patronizing the Urdu language in the Bay Area.
See More Pictures Watch You Tube Video Read report in Pakistan Link
