About Seema 'Noor'
Seema 'Noor' is a poet, performer, and cultural educator dedicated to making the richness of Urdu language and poetry accessible and engaging for contemporary audiences. With a Diploma in Urdu from Mumbai University and a certification in Ghazal Writing from Rekhta, she seamlessly blends classical traditions with modern sensibilities.
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Transitioning from a background in engineering and an MBA, Seema left a successful career in marketing and derivatives trading to follow her passion for Urdu. Her workshops and solo performances have been featured at venues such as SOHO House, Bangalore International Centre, Sofar Sounds and Jashn-e-Rekhta 2024, the world's largest Urdu festival. Through her initiative, Poetry.Noor, she offers immersive experiences that invite participants to explore the emotional depth and expressive power of Urdu, regardless of their prior familiarity with the language.
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In addition to her junoon for Urdu, Seema is an avid reader and a committed practitioner of Kalaripayattu.
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Click here to read some of her written work.
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A Personal Note
Urdu came into my life as a quiet pull, something I felt before I fully understood. Over time, it became a language of connection, emotion, and expression. Now, I create spaces through workshops and performances, where others can explore it too, without fear of judgment or needing to “know enough" before-hand.
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My sessions are interactive, reflective, often filled with laughter. I’ve spent years in cultural spaces that were rich but also exclusionary. That experience shapes my approach: open, inviting, and rooted in the belief that Urdu belongs to anyone who feels drawn to it.
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If something in you stirs at the sound of this language, even softly, listen. Consider it an invitation. I promise Urdu has a way of meeting you exactly where you are. I’ll introduce you to it not through tests but through care, ease and tenderness.