Shankar Shad Mushaira: a celebration of Urdu poetry

The 57th edition of the Shankar Shad Mushaira is set to take place on April 4, 2026, at Modern School, Barakhamba Road, continuing one of Delhi’s longest-running public mushairas that has been part of the city’s cultural fabric since 1954. Organised by the Shankar Lall Murli Dhar Memorial Society in association with DCM Shriram Industries Ltd, the evening promises a confluence of tradition and contemporary expression in Urdu poetry.

Known for preserving the etiquette and depth of classical mushairas, the event remains a significant platform where established legends and emerging voices come together. This year’s edition expands its scope with a pan-India line-up, bringing poets from diverse regions to share a common linguistic and emotional ground.

The mushaira will be headlined by noted poets Waseem Barelvi and Javed Akhtar, alongside prominent names such as Sheen Kaaf Nizam, Iqbal Ashhar, Rajesh Reddy, Shakeel Azmi and Shabeena Adeeb. They will be joined by contemporary voices including Charan Singh Bashar, Azhar Iqbal, Sunil Kumar Tang, Hina Haider Rizvi, Saif Nizami and Zubair Ali Tabish, reflecting a blend of generations and styles within Urdu shayari.

In addition to the main event, the organisers are also hosting the second edition of the Shankar Shad Shayari Contest, aimed at discovering new talent through written and video submissions. The winners will be announced during the mushaira, offering emerging poets an opportunity to present their work alongside established artists.

Organisers said the event continues to evolve while retaining its original spirit, serving as a cultural bridge between classical traditions and contemporary themes. The platform has increasingly drawn younger audiences, with themes of identity, mental health and personal expression finding space alongside traditional ghazals and nazms.

Speaking about the initiative, Madhav Bansidhar Shriram, Chairman of the Shankar Lall Murli Dhar Memorial Society and Managing Director of DCM Shriram Industries Ltd, described the mushaira as a space where language, silence and storytelling come together to reflect shared cultural experiences.

The event will begin at 7 PM and is expected to draw poetry enthusiasts from across the city.

When: April 4; 7 PM

Where: Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi