Thus, to help people navigate these unprecedented times, Rekhta, a social impact organization devoted to the preservation & promotion of languages and literature of the Indian subcontinent, has taken various initiatives to boost hope and positivity through various ways.
Among them is Rekhta Live - Unheard and Unplugged, virtual mehfils that are broadcast live every evening at 6 p.m. Rekhta's social media channels - YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter - where people can
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immerse in ghazals, Sufi music, poetry, storytelling, conversations, instrumentals and much more.
The idea of starting these live sessions was to take music and poetry to people when they are confined in their homes. Renowned poets, lyricists, speakers and singers across genres make these mehfils lively and engaging giving the audience a sense of one of one interaction with their loved artiste, where even their 'farmaish'
(requests) are graced.
The first month of #RekhtaLive features singers, poets, musicians including Papon, Shilpa Rao, ManojMuntashir, Ustad Rashid Khan, Mame Khan, JasbirJassi, Kumar Vishwas, Vidya Shah, Danish Husain (actor and dastango), Hemant Brijwasi (SaReGaMaPa and Little Champs 2.0 winner), Maithili Thakur, Tanya Wells (Britain- born ghazal singer from Switzerland), flautist and singer Rasika Shekar and young ghazal singers like Pratibha Baghel and Jazim Sharma.
Rekhta has also curated some of the handpicked couplets on loneliness and social distancing to keep you company. These are accessible at: www.rekhta.org/tags/social-distancing-shayari-19/couplets?ref=newsL&cid=11
Then, there is a specially formulated short-term course of learning Urdu in seven days at one hour a day at www.aamozish.com.
This enables people to read and write the Urdu script and gain access to the world of incredible Urdu literature and poetry in its original script.
There are also handpicked couplets about life that have the power to steady us through challenging times. Access these at www.rekhta.org/tags/zindagi-shayari/couplets?ref=newsL&cid=11
"Taking music and poetry to people, is our endeavor to bring to the cheer and a sense of solidarity and positivity, while they are confined to their homes," said Sanjiv Saraf, founder of the Rekhta Foundation, of the initiative.