ISLAMABAD, March 23: Three internationally-known ladies, gifted with the eloquence of expression, enthralled a big crowd in the vast hall of a local hotel late Monday night.

The evening of poetry recital by Kishwar Naheed, dance performance by classical dancer Sheema Kirmani and ghazal singing by Teena Sani was part of the ongoing spring festival in the federal capital. The evening with three exceptional women was organized by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), in collaboration of a private cell phone company.

Internationally renowned poetess and women rights activist, Kishwar Naheed, recited her selected poems like Taliban, Basra ki murda maan key liay eik lori besides a few 'ghazals' and selected verses which drew a big hand from an appreciative crowd. Kishwar's famous verse Kuch youn bhi zard, zard si Naheed aaj bhi, Kuch orhni ka rang bhi khilta hua na tha was warmly received by the audience.

Sheema Kirmani presented a beautiful dance based on one of Kishwar Naheed's poem and then she also joined Kishwar and Teena Sani in which Kishwar recited her poem while Teena Sani joined with alaap.

Teena Sani presented ghazals of Kishwar Naheed, Zohra Nigah and Perveen Shakir. She also sang a ghazal of Faiz Ahmed Faiz before singing other ghazals of Ahmed Faraz, Saroor Barabankwi and a popular folk number.

However, there were a number of people in the back seats who were keen to see Teena Sani presenting her more popular numbers instead of ghazals she has especially prepared for the occasion.

The event was one of the kind one craves for. People occupied every inch of space on the 'farshi nashist' to be close to the stage. There were senior bureaucrats, elite of the city and art buffs who made an appreciative crowd for the evening.

The CDA chairman, Kamran Lashari, was busy escorting the 'distinguished' guests to their seats or making some room for them close to the stage. Interior Minister Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat, also turned up at the function almost midway through the proceedings and quietly stood at a corner for a while. He called up a friend from the audience in front and took the back seats where he was engaged in some discussion.

However, he was quickly spotted by the CDA officials and was soon escorted to the seats close to the stage where he remained for quite some time. It was a beautiful evening which lasted right upto mid-night before the audience left, profusely thanking the organisers.