How Jashn-e-Rekhta is becoming an exclusionist, commercial enterprise

Two years ago, when the 2022 edition of Jashn-e-Rekhta was in its final session on the last day, a crowd of enthusiasts had gathered at one of the gates of Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium assigned for public entry.

The entry was free but the organisers had closed the doors to public. The security guard informed that the organisers have stopped entry but they didn’t say till when. The crowd, made up mostly of youngsters, waited in hope. A couple of hours later they had to return disappointed. Some waited on.

That was probably where the Jashn-e-Rekhta organisers realised that this event could be encashed. For years, it had carried on without charging any entry but as it grew in stature and earned publicity, people began coming from far and wide. The fact that the likes of Javed Akhtar got associated with it helped.

For the 2023 edition, the organisers began charging money – Rs 300 for a day and Rs 800 for a three-day pass. Even then the National Stadium was packed to brim with stalls of books, knick-knacks, trinkets, calligraphy and food doing well. 

It was a signal to organisers to perhaps cash in on it further. They are cashing in, and how.

This year when the event opens on December 13 at a new venue, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the connoisseurs would have to shell out Rs 499 for a day’s pass. The price remains the same for December 14 and 15, Day 2 and 3 of the event. If someone wants to visit on all three days, he will have to pay Rs 1,400. Even the students will have to pay Rs 1,200 for a three-day pass.

There is also the reserved seating, the Platinum Enclosure, for which one has to shell out Rs 10,000 for Day 2 and Day 3 events.

Seating at the Gold Enclosure is available for Rs 5,000 a day for the last two days i.e. Day 2 and 3 (December 14 and 15). These sections are bracketed as Mehfil e Khana.

It is clear that the event has got to a different level where those that can’t pay or pay well are not invited and it is fast turning into an exclusive event.

Maybe the huge response and uncontrollable crowd is what prompted the organisers to do it. But there is no doubt that they have begun raising the bar in every aspect.

Take a look at the case of the food stalls. As many as 50 per cent of the stalls are not to be repeated, the Delhi Food Walks (DFW), who arrange the stalls, have been told.

This probably means that there are probably other parties that have shown keen interest or that the organisers are planning to give it to those within their or the coterie of DFW.

In an earlier story in www.thedelhijunction.com one of the stall owners from last year quoted complaining about the manner in which many of them are being wished away despite their popularity among the public. 

“A lot of the stalls from last year will be missing. We are told that 50 per cent of the food stalls are not to be repeated. This is absurd, unfair and inexplicable. Most of us did well last year and became popular. How do you explain stalls that did well last year being asked to stay away,” Zubair Durrani of Khayyam Multicuisine had said. His kunafa, Karachi Biryani and barbecue items had sold like hotcakes during the 2023 edition and he was quite happy with the response. It is no surprise that he is disappointed.

There are many other stalls who won’t find space at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. 

It has been learnt that even some of the upcoming artists will be missing.

It is quite clear that Jashn-e-Rekhta, the Urdu festival is becoming exclusionist and only for those who can afford to pay. It is, in short, likely becoming a commercial enterprise.

Tags : Jashn-e-Rekhta, Urdu, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Javed Akhtar, Papon, Kailash Kher, New Delhi, Poetry