In Mumbai, the Department of Posts released a special postal cover in Azmi’s honour. The release was led by Amitabh Singh, chief postmaster general of Maharashtra and Goa, who described the gesture as a recognition of Azmi’s contribution to Urdu poetry and his role in shaping the cultural fabric of modern India.
The commemorations also included the screening of Raag Shayari at the G5A Foundation for Contemporary Culture. Conceived by theatre director Feroz Abbas Khan, the film is based on Azmi’s poetry and was originally staged during his centenary celebrations. The adaptation brought together an ensemble of artists: lyricist Javed Akhtar recited Azmi’s verses in Urdu, actor Shabana Azmi read translations, while composer Shankar Mahadevan set 13 of the poems to music. The project also featured tabla maestro Zakir Hussain and sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee, creating a rich confluence of poetry and performance.
Parallelly, the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) hosted a festival revisiting Azmi’s contributions to literature and cinema, reaffirming his role as a progressive voice who bridged art and activism.
In Lucknow, the All India Kaifi Azmi Academy organised a mushaira and staged a play based on his celebrated work Zehr-e-Ishq*. The events highlighted his literary depth and his commitment to social themes, ensuring that his words continue to resonate with new generations.
Azmi’s legacy in cinema was also remembered through his timeless lyrics, including ‘Chalte Chalte’ from Pakeezah (1972), ‘Koi Yeh Kaise Bataye’ from Arth, and ‘Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil’ from Heer Ranjha. His poem ‘Aurat’ remains a landmark in Urdu literature, reflecting his progressive ideals.