To mark the centenary birth anniversary of legendary poet-lyricist Kaifi Azmi on January 14, daughter and actor Shabana Azmi has planned a year-long celebration in his honour. Titled Raag Shayari, the event includes a series of pan-India shows that will put the spotlight on Azmi's celebrated Urdu works. Poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar, singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain will join forces to pay tribute to one of the pioneers of Urdu literature who gave us gems in Aurat, Makaan and Daayra, among others.

Talking to mid-day, Shabana reveals Raag Shaayri was husband Akhtar's brainchild. "Javed felt that his [Kaifi Azmi] work should reach out to people who don't necessarily understand Urdu. So, the event will have Javed recite the poems in Urdu, and I will recite the English translation. Shankar Mahadevan will sing them while Ustad Zakir Hussain will interpret it on tabla. They have all come on board without asking any question, so we are thankful to them."