AMU Alumni Association Qatar (AMUAAQ) organised a session of "Dastangoi" on December 25 at the Kanjani Hall, Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) with internationally acclaimed theatre artist, poet and author Jawaid Danish.
AMUAAQ president, Dr Nadeem Jilani, welcomed the guests and introduced Danish, who now resides in Canada and works as the artistic director of Rangmanch Canada.
At the gathering, Danish kept the audience enthralled for nearly an hour with his magnum opus solo performance "Dastan Hijraton ki" based on the struggles of immigrants, taking audiences on a rollercoaster of emotions.
Dr Ashna Nusrat, VP AMUAAQ-affiliated ladies wing, outlined the activities of the association while chairman Er Jawed Ahmad, together with all executive members, felicitated the visiting guest with a memento and a customary shawl, recalling him as an illustrious son of AMU who has made the Alma mater proud.
An author of over 20 books, he is known to be the first and only "Dastango" in Canada and North America. His solo drama, "Yes, my son Razi is autistic" has been translated in 19 world languages which in itself is a record.
A book compiled by Danish, titled "Pas-e-dastaras", based on the published articles about the poetry of the renowned poet Ahmad Ashfaque, was also released on the occasion.
AMUAAQ presented its first annual magazine, Abr-e-Aligarh, to Danish, documenting the association’s activities over recent years. Dr Jilani highlighted the publication’s journey, which evolved from an idea in 2017 by then president Er Jawed Ahmad and Ali Imran into this magazine, edited by chief editor Mamnoon Ahmad Bangash.
The association also awarded mementoes and certificates to: Nadim Asrar (former president, AMUSU), Shahanvas Bava (president, ICBF), Pramod Kumar (board of director, AMUAAQ), and Lutfi Kakar (advisor, AMUAAQ).
Rasheed Ahmad (vice president, ICBF) attended the ceremony, while Deepak Shetty (general secretary, ICBF), received the guests along with the AMUAAQ team.