Patna: (ABN) Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in collaboration with Khanqah Shah Arzani, organized a two-day national seminar on 'Devotional Poetry in Urdu'. The inaugural session of the seminar was presided over by renowned international scholar, former head of the Department of Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, former Vice-Chancellor of Jodhpur University, and Padma Shri Professor Akhtarul Wasey. Meanwhile, the responsibility of moderation was successfully carried out by the country's famous and popular poet and litterateur, Dr. Zeen Ramsh.

While presenting the welcome address, Anupam Tiwari, discussing the background of the topic, emphasized that devotional poetry is an important step in making the country's environment pleasant. Since devotion is related to human emotions, devotional poetry motivates human emotions. He said that Urdu does not have a poet like Nazir Akbarabadi in any language. He has so many subjects, and what he has written about Krishna is commendable. His poetry was a great symbol of religious tolerance and interfaith harmony. His devotional poetry was not limited to one religion, but he expressed equal devotion to both Islamic personalities and Hindu mythological characters.

The land of India is the land of spirituality, and human friendship is ingrained in our blood, which can be called Ganga-Jamuni culture or expression of devotion. Professor Syed Shah Hussain Ahmed, Sajjada Nashin of Khanqah Shah Arzani, while delivering the welcome address, said that the organization of a national seminar on devotional poetry in Urdu is the first and unique seminar of its kind. This topic has great importance in the present era. Devotional poetry is a subject that can promote harmony and brotherhood in society.

Professor Akhtarul Wasey, while expressing his views on devotional poetry, said that devotional poetry contains India's long history and ancient civilization, so it is necessary for us to know our civilization and history by popularizing the study of devotional poetry. Dr. Ahmed Mahfuz, while presenting the keynote address, said that the beginning of devotional poetry in Urdu took place from the Deccan. Ancient poets like Quli Qutub Shah and Nasrati, to the classical period of Mir Taqi Mir and Mirza Ghalib, every major poet has expressed their devotion.

Devotional poetry has played an important role in promoting moral values and unity in society. This poetry is popular everywhere, from the khanqahs of Sufi saints to public mushairas. Through this poetry, the common man gets guidance from the lives of his sacred personalities. Devotional poetry is the capital of the Urdu language that distinguishes it from other languages. This poetry provides solace to the hearts as well as being a means of strengthening faith.

Devotional poetry is the soul of Urdu literature that never gets old. This poetry takes man out of the material world and into a spiritual world where there is only peace, love, and respect for humanity. This is the beautiful confluence of literature and religion that is nourishing the Urdu language.

Professor Syed Shah Hussain Ahmed, the current Sajjada Nashin of Khanqah Shah Arzani, has wisely chosen this topic to promote the message of love. The country's writers have expressed their devotion to the great and venerable personality of history. Hindu and Muslim poets have written naats in praise of the Prophet, and they have also presented their devotion to Ram and Krishna.

After the keynote address, renowned litterateur and poet of Urdu, former head of the Urdu department at Patna University, Maulana Mazharul Haq, and former Vice-Chancellor of Arabic and Persian University, Professor Ejaz Ali Arshad, delivered the presidential address on the orders of Professor Akhtarul Wasey. During the presidential address, he pointed out that in devotional poetry, one should present a poetic gift with great caution and within a certain sphere, but it is a fact that in ecstasy, human devotion reaches the limit of excess, so such devotional poetry should be seen in the mirror of good poetry.

With Professor Ejaz Ali Arshad's presidential address, the inaugural session came to an end. Finally, Dr. Hamayun Akhtar thanked the guests, participants, and paper presenters and announced lunch. After lunch, the first technical session of the seminar was announced. Several papers were presented in the second session.