Ujjain Turns into a Literary Hub as Poets Converge for 19th Seva Samman

From satire and humour to patriotic verse and soulful poetry, an evening dedicated to the memory of late Dulesingh Sikarwar brought together poets from across the country

Ujjain | SDNA

Ujjain witnessed a vibrant celebration of Hindi literature on Thursday evening as poets from different parts of the country came together for the 19th Seva Samman and All-India Kavi Sammelan, organised in memory of late poet and literary figure Dulesingh Sikarwar.

Held at the Pt. Suryanarayan Vyas Sankul of Kalidas Sanskrit Academy, the literary gathering began around 8 pm and continued late into the night. The stage moved seamlessly between humour, satire, songs, ghazals, romance and patriotic poetry, giving the audience a glimpse of the diverse traditions of contemporary Hindi poetry.

Rather than remaining a formal literary programme, the event developed into an interactive evening where poetry, public sentiment and entertainment came together.

Kota Lyricist Jagdish Solanki Receives Memorial Honour

One of the major highlights of the evening was the presentation of the Sw. Dulesingh Sikarwar Memorial Honour 2026 to noted Kota-based lyricist Jagdish Solanki.

Solanki was presented with the honour along with a citation recognising his contribution to literature.

The award also served as a tribute to the broader literary tradition associated with Dulesingh Sikarwar, whose memory continues to be kept alive through the annual event.

The organisers also honoured Thakur Jogendra Singh Bhadoria, National President of Akhil Vishwa Kshatriya Mahasabha, during the programme.

Humour Drew Laughter, Patriotic Poetry Raised the Energy

The evening featured a wide range of poetic styles.

Humorous and satirical performances emerged as one of the audience favourites, with poets using contemporary issues and everyday experiences to create laughter while also making social observations.

One of the satirical presentations drew a humorous comparison between Pakistan’s economic situation and mobile recharge habits among Indian youngsters, prompting a strong response from the audience.

The tone shifted dramatically with performances in veer ras and ojas, which brought patriotic energy and enthusiasm to the venue.

Songs and ghazals added an emotional dimension, while romantic poetry provided a softer and more reflective mood.

The result was an evening that moved between laughter, emotion, social commentary and patriotic sentiment without being restricted to a single poetic genre.

Poets from Multiple Cities Take the Stage

The national character of the programme was reflected in the participation of poets from several cities.

Among those who performed were Satish Sagar from Ujjain, Vibha Singh from Varanasi, Gaurav Chauhan from Etawah, Kuldeep Rangeela from Dewas, Nibha Chaudhary from Agra, Kumar Sambhav from Khargone, Mohit Shaurya from Ghaziabad and Arjun Alhad from Ramganj Mandi.

The programme was anchored by poet Dinesh Diggaj, who maintained the flow of the evening while connecting performances representing different poetic traditions.

A 19-Year Literary Tradition Continues

The event has now completed 19 years, making it more than an annual poetry gathering. Over nearly two decades, the memorial programme has developed into a recurring platform for bringing established and emerging literary voices before a live audience.

Its continuity also assumes significance at a time when poetry is increasingly consumed through social media platforms, short-form videos and digital publications.

A live Kavi Sammelan offers a different experience: the immediate reaction of an audience, interaction between poet and listener, and the atmosphere created by a shared literary space.

Cultural, Social and Public Representatives Attend

The programme was organised under the aegis of the Madhya Pradesh Directorate of Culture and Sw. Dulesingh Sikarwar Smriti Manch.

Rajesh Singh Kushwah served as patron and guide, while Shyam Singh Sikarwar was the convener.

Among those present were Municipal Corporation President Kalawati Yadav, Society for Press Club President Nandu Yadav, BJP city president Sanjay Agrawal and editor Rajendra Agal, besides several representatives from social, political, cultural and media circles.

Members of the organising committee welcomed the guests, poets and distinguished personalities attending the programme.

Beyond One Evening: Why Such Literary Platforms Matter

The significance of the event extends beyond the performances and honours presented during the evening.

For Ujjain, the continuation of a literary programme for 19 consecutive years strengthens the city’s image as a centre where literature, culture and public participation intersect.

Different forms of poetry also perform different social functions. Satire can question contemporary realities through humour, patriotic poetry can generate collective emotion, while songs and ghazals connect with the personal and emotional experiences of listeners.

Bringing these forms together allows a Kavi Sammelan to function simultaneously as entertainment, cultural expression and social dialogue.

Scope for a Larger Literary Ecosystem in Ujjain

The growing participation of poets from different parts of India could provide an opportunity to expand the event into a broader literary platform.

Future editions could potentially incorporate young poets’ forums, inter-school and college poetry competitions, literary workshops, digital archives of performances and publication opportunities for emerging writers.

Such initiatives could help ensure that the legacy of the memorial programme extends beyond an annual evening and reaches younger generations.

The larger challenge—and opportunity—is to transform a successful annual gathering into a sustained literary ecosystem. If that happens, the Dulesingh Sikarwar Memorial event could evolve from a remembrance programme into a long-term platform for literature, dialogue and cultural continuity in Ujjain.

(SDNA)