Internationally acclaimed poets, powerful verses and a packed house came together for an unforgettable celebration of Urdu and Hindi literature.
SYDNEY: There are nights that fill a room, and then there are nights that fill it with something more, emotion, memory, and meaning. Rang-e-Sukhan 2026 was one of the latter. Parramatta Town Hall was transformed into a stage where words became magic, drawing a capacity crowd of poetry lovers, community leaders and dignitaries from across Sydney and beyond.
The evening opened with a Welcome to Country by Uncle John, followed by the Australian and Indian national anthems, setting the tone for a night that celebrated two cultures, one shared spirit. Guests mingled over refreshments before settling in for a program that fused the timeless tradition of the Mushaira with the warmth of South Asian hospitality.
Now in its second edition, Rang-e-Sukhan has firmly claimed its place on Sydney’s multicultural literary calendar. Behind its rise stands Abdul Noor, a Sydney-based education leader, entrepreneur and community advocate whose belief that cultural identity and Australian life were never meant to compete, only to complement, has shaped the event from the very beginning.
Founder and Director of Lead Institute of Higher Education, Noor also serves as Vice-Chairman and Director of Fundraising at Humanity First Australia, where his work spans humanitarian relief, food assistance and community welfare across Australia and beyond. For Noor, community service and culture have always gone hand in hand, and Rang-e-Sukhan is where that philosophy comes fully to life. Now celebrating its second edition, the event reflects his vision of a platform where international poets, Australian literary talent and Sydney’s diverse multicultural community can come together to celebrate language, heritage and each other.
He is also known across Sydney for quietly sponsoring event after event, often as the sole backer, asking for nothing in return but the chance to see communities come together. Rang-e-Sukhan stands as one of the clearest expressions of that generosity, and of a vision that continues to grow with every edition.
The night’s biggest draw was internationally renowned poet and Indian parliamentarian Imran Pratapgarhi, whose electrifying recitation had the entire hall on its feet. Sharing the stage with him was the celebrated Khushbeer Singh Shaad, whose depth and elegance added another layer of brilliance. A stellar Australian lineup, Syed Altaf ur Rahman Zubair, Rehan Alvi, Tehmina Rao, Asma Aftab and Wahab Siddiqui, proved that homegrown talent can hold its own on any stage.
Guiding it all with charm and precision was Emcee Ekta Sharma, whose energy kept the audience captivated all night, while live music added its own rhythm to the celebration.
Before the poetry took centre stage, the evening paused to honour those who quietly hold the community together. In a heartfelt felicitation ceremony, Abdul Noor and Imran Pratapgarhi jointly recognised seven individuals for their contribution to community and culture, broadcaster Kumud Merani, Zahid Jamil, Nadeem Ahmed, Mobeen Siddiqui, Sanjay Deshwal, Mustafa Mohammed and Masood, each presented with a shawl in appreciation of their service. Imran Pratapgarhi himself was later honoured with a special award and shawl, a gesture of gratitude for the international voice he brought to Sydney’s stage.
Rang-e-Sukhan 2026 was proudly organised by the Australasian Multicultural Association, in collaboration with principal sponsor Lead College, backed by a strong network of community partners and supporters.
Civic leaders lent their support to the evening too, with Cr Manindor Singh from Blacktown City Council, Cr Barbara Ward, and Cr Sameer Panday among those in attendance, a reminder that culture and community go hand in hand.
The night also welcomed Guest of Honour Manbir Kohli, and Gurnam Singh.
Of course, no unforgettable night happens without an army working quietly behind the curtain. Sanjay Deshwal and the Little India team, Mustafa Mohammed and the DAWA team on reception and registration, and Masood, the man behind the evening’s mouthwatering Hyderabadi biryani, all played their part, alongside photographer Navneet Anand and a dedicated crew of volunteers who made sure everything ran like clockwork.
The Areebah Foundation, close to the hearts of Abdul Noor Aftab and Kinza Abbasi, helped open the doors wider, offering subsidised access so more of the community could be part of the magic. Kinza Abbasi, juggling significant professional commitments right up until the event, was the steady hand behind the scenes, ensuring every detail came together.
Amid the celebration came a quiet, heartfelt moment. Noor paused to acknowledge his mother, Siddiqua Aftab Sahiba, a retired Head Mistress seated in the audience, thanking her for a lifetime of prayers and guidance.
And the story doesn’t end here. Riding the wave of this year’s success, organisers have already confirmed Rang-e Sukhan will return in September 2027, bigger, bolder and at a larger venue, as it continues its journey to becoming one of Australia’s premier literary platforms.
But if one night proved anything, it’s this: poetry doesn’t need translation to move a room. It just needs a voice, an audience, and a reason to gather. Rang-e-Sukhan 2026 gave Sydney all three. 
