Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi

It was a travel back in time, a peek into the life and times of celebrated Urdu poet and film lyricist Kaifi Azmi. Above all, it was a tale of love, hope and passion. More than 2,200 people poured into Calcutta Club on Sunday evening to listen to this endearing tale, as Kolkata Literary Meet 2014, in association with The Telegraph, presented IPTA’s Kaifi Aur Main: Saga of a Poet.

Kuch Kaifi Azmi, kuch Shaukat Kaifi ki zubani — is how the theatrical presentation, directed by Ramesh Talwar, comes across. The script, brought to life by Kaifi and his wife Shaukat’s daughter Shabana Azmi and their son-in-law Javed Akhtar, is based on Shaukat’s memoir Yaad Ki Rehguzar, and Kaifi’s interviews and writings.

The narrative was interspersed with renditions of Kaifi’s poems and songs by ghazal singer Jaswinder Singh, from Meri awaaz suno to Waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam to Tum itna jo muskura rahe ho.

The audience went “wah wah” at several junctures in the journey of Kaifi and Shaukat.

“My father had a very special relationship with this city. So for me, it’s a very deeply emotional experience to share his and my mother’s life with Calcuttans,” said Shabana after the show.

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“When Kaifi Aur Main was offered to us by the Kolkata Literary Meet, we immediately grabbed the opportunity. Calcutta Club always has an appetite for niche programmes like these”

Kunal Roy Chowdhury, president, Calcutta Club

“It takes you back in time, telling you how things were, so many years ago. I really enjoyed it. Jhuki jhuki si nazar is one of my favourites”

Ravi Shewakramani, garment manufacturer

“It is just wonderful. I am surprised that the time it was written, the people who were involved... they were so progressive. It is an insight into the life and the social milieu of India. And the romance is still oozing”

Nilanjana Mukherjee, social worker

Sibendu Das
Pictures: Rashbehari Das