Since July 2016, the Urdu Markaz in Dongri has remained locked, leaving the fate of its furniture and books uncertain. However, the individuals who nurtured this cultural-educational organization since its inception in 1999 are now urging the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to allow its reopening. The Markaz operated from a single rented room at the Imamwada Urdu Municipal School until the BMC padlocked it, citing alleged non-educational activities.
Bridging Marathi and Urdu Cultures
The Urdu Markaz has been instrumental in bringing Marathi and Urdu closer through events such as mushairas, kavi sammelans, the Bhendi Bazaar festival, Kusum Utsav, and the annual festival commemorating legendary Marathi poet Vishnu Vaman Shirwadkar (Kusumagraj). It also celebrates Marathi Diwas on February 27. Now, the Centre aims to run free Marathi learning classes alongside its usual activities. This initiative gains relevance as the state transport ministry insists on making Marathi knowledge mandatory for taxi and autorickshaw drivers.
Advocate Zubair Azmi, director of the Urdu Markaz, stated, "We are a bridge between Marathi and Urdu. But now we want to run free Marathi and Urdu classes. We want to become a catalyst in helping non-Marathi speaking people speak and write functional Marathi." Currently, Azmi operates the Centre from a small private space in Madanpura.
Positive Signals from BMC
A BMC official familiar with the case revealed that positive notes have been added to the file, including suggestions for periodic assessments of the Centre's activities. Azmi believes the BMC was "misinformed" about non-educational activities. He argued, "Education and culture are closely linked. If we invite Marathi writers, poets, and singers to present their works here, is it not education too?" Fareed Khan of Urdu Caravan added, "Perhaps no other organization with an Urdu name invites so many Marathi writers and poets as Urdu Markaz does." Activist Saeed Khan echoed this sentiment.
As the file awaits approval from BMC's education department, elected representatives and cultural figures support the reopening. MLAs Amin Patel and Rais Shaikh, former corporator Javed Juneja, and Marathi and Urdu writers hope the Centre regains its former glory. Patel remarked, "The Markaz is situated in a predominantly Urdu-speaking Muslim locality. It can attract many people wanting to learn Marathi. We hope BMC officials understand its importance and reopen it soon." Shaikh added that the civic body appears positive about reopening the Centre.
Expanding Cultural Reach
The Markaz's Urdu Marathi Sahitya Forum, established by communication expert Manoj Varade, served as a platform for writers, poets, and academicians to collaborate. The Centre also honored Urdu lovers, including many non-Muslims, with the Mohsin-E-Urdu Award. Actor-director Sachin Pilgaonkar, a recipient, said, "I find Urdu Markaz's work extremely important as it serves as a bridge between Marathi and Urdu. I have always maintained that Marathi is like my mother and Urdu is mausi (aunt). Both need protection and promotion, and Urdu Markaz plays its role beautifully." Activities like the Urdu Marathi Tehzeeb walk and the Kaifi walk in Madanpura, which poet-lyricist Kaifi Azmi once frequented, drew attention when actor Shabana Azmi participated.
