Kaifi Azmi award function on Feb 8

LUCKNOW: The annual Kaifi Award function in remembrance of the Urdu poet and lyricist will be held on Sunday, February 8 at Ravindralay, Charbagh.
Speaking to TOI, general secretary of the All India Kaifi Azmi Academy S S Mehdi said, “Kaifi Azmi awards are usually given on his birth anniversary on January 14, but this year since culture department delayed releasing funds the function got postponed.”
The award comprises a cash prize of 51,000, a shawl and a memento.Mehdi also informed that committee members this year besides distributing awards to people who have made a significant contribution in the field of literature (Urdu and Hindi), art, culture and journalism have decided to organise additional cultural activities for budding artists.
Following the award ceremony, a play ‘Hum Mukhtara’ written and directed by Usha Ganguli will be staged by Rangkarmee, a Kolkata-based group.
Along with a rare photo exhibition on Kaifi Azmi, the academy will also organise a painting competition on ‘Progressive movement of India’.
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Theater, museum, library
All India Kaifi Azmi Academy Lucknow will soon have thrust theatre with seating capacity of 350 with the aim of turning the academy into a cultural hub for promotion of activities related to literature, art and culture. Following its construction by UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam, the academy will also get a guest house, museum and a library. The museum will be dedicated to Kaifi Azmi, while the library will include rare documents, letters and books written by the eminent progressive writers of India written in all languages.