North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Patiala (Ministry of Culture, Government of India) organized a tribute in the memory of the legendary great poet and songwriter Padmashree and Padmabhushan Gopaldas Neeraj at Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, Chandigarh. A Special literary event was organized on this occasion, in the dignified presence of Rashtriya Mantri of Sanskar Bharti and Delhi-based Flute exponent Sh. Chetan Joshi from Faridabad, Sh. Satish Palivar, Northern Zonal Head, Sanskar Bharti and Prof. Saubhagya Vardhan, Director, North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala. Sushil ‘Hasrat’ Narlavi conducted the stage.
While giving a detailed description of the contributions made in the field of literary and art of Mahakavi and songwriter Gopaldas Neeraj at the launch of the literary program, Sushil ‘Hasrat’ Narlavi said that “the composer Padmashri and Padmabhushan Gopaldas Neeraj took Hindi poetry to the new heights. The peculiar expression of popularity emerges in the philosophical genre, the pictorial expression emerged from the epitome of utopia which used to say its simplicity. Apart from many awards and honors, Niraj’s compositions were the base of Indian culture and traditions. “Apart from this, Narlavi read the song written by Neeraj “Karwan Gujar Gaya Gubar Dekhte Rahe” and read some of his haiku, which were well appreciated by the audience.
After this, the poetess Urmila Kaushik ‘Sakhi’ has four Gazals of Gopaldas Neeraj, ‘Ab to Mahjab Koi Aisa Chalaya Jaye’, ‘Ab Ke saavan Mein Sararat ye mere sath hui’, ‘Badan Pe Jiske Sharafat Ka Pairahan Dekha’ and ‘Jitna Kum Saman Rahega, Safar Utna Aasan Rahega’ as it was heard in his own estimations, where he got a lot of applause. After this, the poet Virendra Sharma ‘Veer’ narrated the Dohas of Mahakavi Neeraj and entertained the audience. Shayar Chaman Sharma, ‘Chaman’, sang two songs of Neeraj, ‘Mastak Par Aakash Uthaye Dharti Bande Paavon Se’ and ‘Duniya Ke Gaavon par marham jo na bane’ and the poet Babir ‘Tanha’ presented four ghazals of Neeraj in very beautiful way, which received a lot of applause from the audience.
Prof. Saubhagya Vardhan, Director, North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala, shared the memories of the time spent with the great poet and lyricist, and sang one of his songs, ‘Sukh Ke Sathi Mile Hazaron Lekin Dukh Mein Sath Nibhane wala Nahi Mila’ in the way Neeraj ji sang, which got praise of the audience.
In addition to this, Sh. Satish Palivar, Northern Zonal Head, Sanskar Bharti and world renowned flute exponent Sh. Chetan Joshi, Sanskar Bharti, shared memories spent and also spoke about his personality associated with Mahakavi Gopaldas Neeraj.
