Shayari Ka Adda

Urdu has been the language of the greatest poets in the world since as far back as 16th century - from Meer to Ghalib and from Faiz to Jigar. They wielded the power of words to express some of their deepest emotions on ishq (love), hijr (separation), intezaar (wait), and mehboob (the lover), creating some of the most memorable and unparalleled verses in Urdu poetry.

Urdu poetry has seen a resurgence in recent times with more and more people - both young and old - drawn to its beauty and eloquence. At the heart of this tradition lies the mushaira, an elegant affair that forms a bridge between our words and their expression, between cultures and history.

Shayari Ka Adda, known for blending the charm of classical poetry with the voice of today’s generation, has created a unique space for those who appreciate Urdu poetry, and is introducing it to those who have not yet experienced its eloquence. With each gathering, it makes poetry accessible, alive, and deeply personal — a true adda where art, culture, and community meet.

Here’s your opportunity to immerse yourself in an evening dedicated to culture and poetry with the best shayars of today.

Snacks and buffet dinner is included in the price of the ticket.

Seats are limited. Pre-book your tickets now and avail early bird discount!

📅: 7 December 2025

🕡 Time: 6.30pm – 9.30pm

📍 Venue: Singapore Swimming Club

At Shayari Ka Adda, we believe that poetry should be felt, lived, and experienced on a regular basis. It is a panacea for your soul, and if you wish to benefit from its therapeutic effects, consume it like a daily dose! When you are reading or listening to a poem, delve deeper to connect with the poet himself - who is he or she? Where do they come from? What pain or pleasure drives the beauty of their verses?

Madan Mohan

Born and raised in the culturally diverse eastern region of Uttar Pradesh, Madan Mohan grew up listening to verses of Ramcharitmanas mixed in with profound couplets of Mir and Ghalib.

When faced with several challenges at a young age, his love for literature made things bearable. He fondly remembers the time he spent at the modest but well-stocked library at the nearby village offering a treasure trove of books and deepening his love for reading.

His literary journey deepened when attending college. Since the late 1980s, he has been actively writing poetry with reflections of his upbringing and the rich interactions that have shaped him.

His philosophy in life is touching - think differently, speak softly and write simply. He is a firm believer that the world should be a kinder place, its people less judgmental and more empathetic.

Madan Mohanji worked for All India Radio for over 30 years, and presently lives in Gwalior with his wife. He travels far and wide to read his poetry and stays closely connected with his first love - shayari. The couple has a son who works for an international bank in Canada.

Azhar Iqbal
Born and raised in Budhana, Uttar Pradesh, Azhar Iqbal spent his formative years at the Aligarh University where he started making his mark as an artist.

As a young man growing up in the 1990s, he was deeply influenced by artistic expression and took active part in theatre. He was moved by the struggles of the marginalised and the stark realities of social inequality, which inspired him to write.

The poet inside Azhar was looking for bigger platforms. Azhar got several opportunities with Rekhta, Sahiya Kala Parishad, Sahitya Akademi which gave him a wider audience. Azhar has also been invited to the popular Kapil Sharma show!

He also established a foundation to promote Urdu and Hindi literature.

Azhar believes that art and literature have the power to bring about positive change and foster empathy.

Azhar has a full time job in a leading NBFC. He lives in Meerut with his wife and two children.
Mehshar Afridi
Mehshar's introduction to the Urdu language during his school years and exposure to linguistic artistry at that early age ignited his passion for Shayari. Inspired by poets like Jaun Eliya, Irfan Siddiqui and Basheer Badr, he evolved into a celebrated Shayar known for his soulful ghazals and nazms that resonate with emotions like love, loss and introspection. He truly believes “muhabbat koi jazbaa nahin, sirf zaroorat hai" (Love is not a passion, only a necessity).

Mehshar has performed at over 500 mushairas internationally since the '90s and appeared on The Kapil Sharma Show in July 2023, charming audiences with his wit and words.

In the present day, Mehshar is a poet and script writer settled down in Mumbai, a self-proclaimed dog lover sharing moments with his pet dog on social media, and a motorcycle enthusiast often seen cruising on his Royal Enfield.
Charagh Sharma
Chirag Sharma (known by his poetic pseudonym Charagh) revived his late grandfather's poems when reciting them in school and gradually started writing himself. He explored a diverse range of disciplines since childhood ranging from the sciences, journalism and mass communication, and finally literature. Truly believing in the words of Steve jobs - "The only way to do great work is to love what you do" - he found his calling in Urdu poetry and is a well recognised poet of the younger generation.

Charagh has been writing and performing at symposiums across India and internationally since he was a teenager - including on the Doordarshan, Lallantop Adda and Jashn-E-Rekhta. He is a full time poet and lives with his family in Chandausi, Uttar Pradesh.

Tehzeeb Hafi
Born as Tehzeeb-ul-Hasan in Reetra village near Taunsa Sharif, Tehzeeb Hafi is a contemporary Urdu poet whose writing is a powerful blend of romantic tradition with modern resonance.

Long before degrees and accolades, his affair with poetry had already begun and grew into a lifelong devotion. Initially pursuing engineering at the insistence of his parents, Tehzeeb always carried within him a longing for the world of literature, which led him to complete an MA and later an MPhil in Urdu Literature. Despite growing up in an environment where poetry was neither encouraged nor supported, Hafi sought poets in distant cities, spent countless days in search of poetic inspiration, and immersed himself in Urdu poetry.

Tehzeeb Hafi writes not just to express, but to connect — his verses often echo the unsaid emotions of a generation lost in noise yet yearning for meaning. In an age of distraction, Tehzeeb Hafi’s poetry reminds us to pause, to feel, and to remember that vulnerability is not weakness, but wisdom in its purest form.
Rajesh Reddy
With a literary career spanning several decades, Rajesh Reddy's work has touched generations alike across India and abroad. During his childhood in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Rajesh was inspired by the writings of great Hindi and Urdu poets and went on to complete an M.A. in Hindi Literature, providing a strong foundation for his poetic journey.

Rajesh’s acclaimed works include several ghazal anthologies including Udaan, Aasman Se Aage and Wajood, which are celebrated for their lyrical beauty, philosophical depth and emotional resonance. Legendary artists such as Jagjit Singh, Pankaj Udhas, Talat Aziz and Chhaya Ganguli have given voice to his poetry in their popular ghazal albums transforming his words into musical renditions.

Rajesh has performed at several international Kavi Sammelans and Mushairas across the UK, the USA, Canada and the Middle East and spread his love for literature amongst the global diaspora. He truly believes in the philosophy of "Jio aur jeene do" (live and let live), and nurtures talent from the fraternity to keep poetry alive in the modern era. Rajesh lives with his wife, daughter and son in Mumbai.

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