Mushaira enthralls Kashmir audience

It was a treat for Urdu poetry lovers in Kashmir as over a dozen eminent poets from across the country enthralled the audience with their recitations in the first of its kind event in the valley in nearly three decades.
The "Kul Hind Mushaira" titled "Ek sham Kashmir ke naam", organised by the state Tourism Department, was held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) on the banks of the famous Dal Lake here last night.
Kashmir, which is an abode to famous poets like Sheikh Noor-ud-din, Mehjoor, Lala Ded, Habba Khatoon, Pandit Dena Nath and Jnanpith awardee Rahman Rahi among others, has not seen many such events which have otherwise gained immense popularity in the country and abroad.

The event was the first of its kind in the last 27 years and was beamed live to 168 countries through Doordarshan and ETV Urdu and also streamed on YouTube.
Braving the evening chill prevalent in the valley, the audience appreciated the programme and demanded more even as it was stretched much beyond the allotted time.
Many famous poets including Wasim Barelvi, Rahat Indoori, Munnawar Rana, Shakeel Azmi, Manzoor Usmani, Manzar Bhopali and satire-poets Popular Meeruthi and Zero Bandhvi, dressed in traditional Kashmiri attire of Pheran (cloak) and Karakuli (cap), left the jam-packed audience spellbound.
Local poets Farooq Nazki, Shafaq Sopori, Liaqut Jaffri, Rukhsana Jabeen and others also participated in the event.