'Sarir e Khamma by Mohammad Muneem – A Creative & Lyric Writing Session’

Guided by award-winning singer-songwriter, poet, and educator Mohammad Muneem Nazir – known artistically as Alif – this workshop invites you to find and refine your unique writing voice. Drawing from his Kashmiri, Urdu, and Hindi roots, and decades of blending traditional poetry with contemporary music, Alif leads participants through an immersive four-part journey. 

The day begins with warm-up exercises and an introduction to your takhalus (pen name), opening the door to creative practices such as the Circle of Writing and Object Writing – techniques designed to ground your expression in sensory detail, emotion, and lived experience. Along the way, you’ll explore the question: Is writer’s block real? 

From there, the session flows into the rich world of ghazals, exploring urooz and behrs, and unpacking the distinctions between poetry and prose. You'll write in the language that feels most authentic to your voice, experiment with songwriting, and play with structure and its intentional breaking. The final stage will be about taking your work from page to performance and learning how to deliver a piece with clarity, emotion, and impact.  

The title 'Sarir e Khamma' refers to the subtle noise the pen’s needle makes as it glides over the paper – a delicate sound that marks the birth of words and creativity. This workshop captures that intimate moment, encouraging you to listen closely to your own creative rhythm and let your voice emerge. By the end of the session, you’ll walk away not only with new tools and perspectives, but also with a deeper connection to the emotions that are yours and for you to share.