May 10, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 4, 1429

HYDERABAD, May 9: Current judicial stalemate, electricity and wheat crises and the US influence on country’s policymakers came under the poetic scrutiny during the third “Hyderabad Alami Mushaira” held here on Thursday night.Organised by the district government at unit-6 Latifabad’s Nursery Garden, the event was well-attended and continued till Friday morning which people enjoyed with great enthusiasm.

An exceptionally high turnout of youths, otherwise not seen in such gatherings, made the event more colourful and lively as they generously applauded poets especially those who had came from India.

The relaxed ambiance coupled with the city’s famous cool breeze at the nursery which has been refurbished by district government with new fountains didn’t allow people to leave the place till the end of the event.

References to current issues of reinstatement of deposed judges, shortage of wheat, energy crisis, politics, black-marketing and, of cause, Love were the topics which greatly enthralled the audience.

Almost every poet was received warmly but thunderous applauses and accolades were reserved for Athar Shah Khan alias Jaidi and playwright and poet Amjad Islam Amjad, who were widely known.

Amjad Islam Amjad recited his most popular poem “vo merey naseeb ki barishey kisi aur chat per baras gaee” and “zindagi key mailey main khawaishon key raily mein”.

Athar Shah Khan shed light on the country’s foreign policy that has remained under the US influence, in his own satirical poetic way.

However, he didn’t elude the age-old love affairs of youth and its subsequent fallouts for them when they were rejected by their loved ones.

He also touched politics where horse-trading, he thought, is commonplace.

The poet of Hyderabad, Professor Inayat Ali Khan in his own style discussed current energy crisis with frequent power-breakdowns of long durations and the wheat crisis.

Then there was Wasi Shah — famous among youth — who read his popular poem “kash merey terey hath ka kangan hota”, which almost stole the show. The poet was later seen surrounded by his autograph-seeking fans.

Karachi’s Akhtar Saeedi got equal applause when he focussed his poetry around Mehran Valley and Hyderabad’s cool breezes as well as love and affection of its people.

People also appreciated Indian poets Wasim Barelvi, Munawar Rana, Dr Naseem Nikhat, Anwar Usman, Raees Ansari and each of them was given standing ovation by the people.

The current deadlock over reinstatement of judges between the PML-N and the PPP bosses was highlighted by Saeed Agha.

Rehana Roohi tried to make her point that the country’s leadership needs to be more mature and required to show greater responsibility in governance.

Anwar Shaoor, Himayat Ali Shaair, Sehar Ansari, Naqash Kazmi, Rashid Noor, Mehmood Siddiqui, Ms Shahid Hassan and others presented their old and new verses. Shields and gifts were distributed among poets.

District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil, District Naib Nazim Zafar Ali Rajput who headed the organising committee, Sindh Minister for Rural Development Zubair Khan, Sindh Fisheries Minister Zahid Ali Bhurgari, MNAs Syed

Tayyab Ali and Salahuddin were present there.