Across Hyderabad, young people are rediscovering the charm of Urdu, gathering in heritage venues and creative spaces to share couplets, stories, and lively discussions.I’ve been part of several Urdu workshopsin schools. We visit during events, hold writing competitions, and have small gatherings to talk about the language and its essence. Sometimes I’m also invited to judge Urdu events in colleges.These are small efforts I make out of my love for the language. – Sana Farheen, IT professional & poet

Urdu poetryreadings and open-mic evenings are blossoming across Hyderabad — in cafés, public auditoriums, and heritage locations like the Qutb Shahi Tombs and Raja Bhagwandas Garden Pavilion. Drawing students, professionals, and newcomers, these sessions offer more than just words. They offer a space where people connect over chai and couplets, discovering the beauty of Urdu through shared laughter, stories, and the lilt of sher-o-shayari.Hyderabad Times explores howyoung poets, students, and first-time speakers are embracing Urdu, not just to remember the past, but to also express the present.“It’s been encouraging to see such a diverse group — students, professionals, even first-time poetry enthusiasts show up with curiosity” Riasath Ali Asrar

“Our aim is to keep Urdu vibrant and accessible, and we organise poetry events at heritage venues like Ravindra Bharathi and Public Gardens” Faiz Jung‘Workshops in heritage sites creates an unique experience’Riasath Ali Asrar, a poet and educator, has been conducting Urdu poetry workshops since 2018. His sessions attract students, scholars and working professionals, a reflection of the growing interest among young Hyderabadis in reconnecting with their literary heritage. He is also the co-founder of Anjuman-e-Fannan, a platform that fosters a creative space by hosting traditional Urdu mushairas and open-mic events. “It’s been encouraging to see such a diverse group — students, professionals, even first-time poetry enthusiasts show up with curiosity. I organise the workshops in heritage sites like Qutb Shahi Tombs and Raja Bhagwandas Garden Pavilion, creating a unique experience for learners,” he says.‘We host poetry events on meaningful occasions’Co-founded by poet Faiz Jung in 2019, the Hyderabad Arts & Culture Community has been actively promoting Urdu poetry through thoughtfully curated events and a growing network of over 6,000 art enthusiasts. The age group between 16 to 25 years forms a major part of the audience, with a noticeable rise in interest in Urdu poetry in recent years. “We host Urdu poetry events on Republic Day, Independence Day, World Urdu Day and World Poetry Day, inviting celebrated poets like Shabeena Adeeb, Lata Haya and Satlaj Rahat Indori.Our aim is to keep Urdu vibrant and accessible, and we organise these events at heritage venues like Ravindra Bharathi and Public Gardens,” says Faiz.‘We’re not just celebrating the language — we’re building a community’What began as a quiet attempt to revive interest in Urdu poetry has, over time, evolved into a warm and inclusive space, one that radio jockey and poet Aziz Kapadia has been nurturing through Heart for Art Hyderabad since 2021. With over 40 open mics and panel discussions, the platform has brought together poets and listeners from different walks of life. “It’s been heartening to see how people, many of whom had never shared their writing publicly, now feel encouraged and excited to perform in Urdu.We’re not just celebrating the language — we’re building a community around it,” he says.

– Biswajit Talukdar