Kaifi Azmi remembered on his 106th birth anniversary with an evening of poetry and music

The open-air event at Janki Kutir, Juhu, came alive last night (Jan 14) as artists, writers and film personalities gathered to celebrate the 106th birth anniversary of legendary poet and lyricist Kaifi Azmi. The intimate yet elegant setting provided a fitting backdrop to honour a man whose words and ideals continue to resonate across generations. The commemorative evening saw an impressive gathering of luminaries including Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Rekha, Tanvi Azmi, Baba Azmi, Vidya Balan, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Richa Chaddha, Ali Fazal, Dia Mirza, Divya Dutta, Sandhya Mridul, Urmila Matondkar, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Neena Gupta, Soni Razdan, Madhu Chopra, Nandita Das among several others. The camaraderie among the attendees was evident, with warm conversations, shared memories and an unmistakable sense of collective admiration for Kaifi Azmi’s enduring legacy. The highlight of the evening was a soulful musical performance titled 'Echoes of Sufism' by singer Pooja Gaitonde, which held the audience in quiet rapture. As melodies drifted through the night air, guests soaked in the music. The programme also featured a thoughtfully curated collection inspired by Kaifi Azmi’s creative universe, offering glimpses into his poetic, political and social journey. Shabana Azmi spoke to us about her father’s life and values, saying, “He was a poet who practiced what he preached, and with absolutely no resources at all, he went and settled down in the small village, Mijwan, (Uttar Pradesh), a village which was frozen in time. It didn't even have a post office! Today, Mijwan is a village that is internationally known. Kaifi Azmi was part of the progressive movement. Every year we hope to bring about all the threads of the various aspects of Kaifi Azmi’s life that he was involved in.” As the evening unfolded, the blend of music, memories and meaningful dialogue underscored Kaifi Azmi’s belief in art as a catalyst for social change.