The Yaadein Dara Shikoh lecture and theatrical performance was organized by Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy, Sanskriti Parishad, Department of Culture on Tuesday at Tribal Museum Auditorium.
At the beginning of the programme Nusrat Mehdi, Director of the Academy, after welcoming all the guests, while highlighting the objectives of the programme, said that the personality and work of Darashikoh was devoted to Indian culture and Indian values. He studied the Vedas and Upanishads in depth along with Islamic education. Knowing and understanding the personality and work of Darashikoh will help people to decide for themselves which stand of Islam they should accept. That fanatical religious attitude, symbolized by Aurangzeb or the religious trend of the Sufis, represented by Darashikoh.
Naresh, a well-known litterateur and scholar presiding over the seminar, said that Dara Shikoh is a symbol of social and religious harmony against fundamentalism.
Famous litterateur from Lucknow, Abbas Raza Nayyar said that Dara Shikoh represents the India that is the India of the Vedas, the India of the Gita, the India of Vasudeva Kutumbakam, the India of Satyam Shivam Sundaram, the Sufiana Salike and the definitional name of the philosophical civilization Dara Shikoh. It is the need of the hour to understand his thoughts and philosophy and Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy and Department of Culture deserves thanks for organizing lectures on this Sufi.
Azam said that Dara Shikoh used to link Islam and Sufi ideas with Vedanta because there is monotheism in Hinduism which is similar to Tawhid. He considered all religions as one. He said that there are Gods in religions, but all Gods are one. Senior journalist Aleem Bazmee said that Dara Shikoh had good knowledge of Upanishads and Indian philosophy.
On this occasion a play based on the life of Dara Shikoh authored by Mohammad Hassan was staged by Rang Mohalla Society for Performing Art under the direction of Pradeep Ahirwar in which Adnan Khan played the role of Dara Shikoh. The program was conducted by Badr Vasti.
At the end of the programme Mumtaz Khan expressed his gratitude to all.