KARACHI, Jan 18: The All Pakistan Mushaira held under the aegis of the National Bank of Pakistan on Saturday evening successfully concluded on Sunday early morning.

Presided over by Dr Ishrat Hussain, Governor State Bank of Pakistan, it was addressed by noted city poets and also many eminent poets from other literary centres- Ahmad Faraz, Munir Niazi, Shahzad Ahmad and Mohsin Ehsan, to name some of them. What made the occasion successful and a memorable one for years to come was the presence of polished audience with a taste for good poetry and selection of poets, twenty five in all within manageable limits. Moreover, the fine seating arrangement on the spacious lawns of the five star hotel, pleasant weather, and lastly, a sumptuous dinner capped with tea and coffee made the event unforgettable.

President NBP Syed Ali Raza in a brief discourse welcomed the guest. While acknowledging the services of the poets, writers and artists in the making of a rich culture, he announced to provide patronage to the institutions of literature, arts and sports with the hope that other banks and affluent bodies would follow the suit. A National Bank literary award to promote literature as well as visual and performing arts will be instituted soon, he said.

Dr Ishrat Hussain congratulated the organizers of the mushaira, Bazm Qirtas-o-qalam of the NBP and observed that the nations despite their material wealth would always remain poor if they had no respect for their culture and heritage - poets and intellectuals, artistes and painters. He admired the institution of mushaira that was a connecting link between the past and present. A country was known by its heritage, he concluded.

Mr Yusuf Jamal recalled the contribution of the State Bank and its governor in preserving several invaluable paintings of Sadequain, and their well-deserved display at Mohatta Palace. He also paid tribute to Dr Ishrat Hussain for the publication of his treatise on economics and its translation into Urdu.

Among other prominent personalities, the mushaira was also attended by Provincial IT Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal and five members of provincial assemblies.

The mushaira, conducted by Shaheda Hasan, started with two notes of regret, one from Ahmad Nadim Qasim and the other from Jameeluddin Aali, for not being able to participate due to their failing health.

Ms Hasan in her chiselled and ornate style introduced the poets, coming one after the other and quoted with fluency each poet's selected couplets. She was the first to recite her ghazal that drew much applause.

Khil uthi aik ashk say
Jal bujhi ek hansi say main
Aisay ajeeb hall say
Guzri hoon zindagi say main
Janay refaqatoan ka pass kis ko raha kisay naheen
Sab say mila voh meray baad aur kisi kisi say main

The young and budding poet from Quetta was much applauded for the following verse:

Karen gay kiya teri khana kharab sochtay hain
Ke abto khemakashi kay liay zamin bhi naheen

Bushra Ejaz from Lahore said:

Agarche ishq nay barbad ker diya mujhko
Mager yeh sach hai ke usnay mujhay sawara bhi

One inspiring thing at the mushaira was the presence of Taabish Dehlavi, thankfully now 93, the finest ghazal poet of our time, who kept sitting for more than an hour and left the venue after reciting his chosen verses.

When Ahmad Faraz is there, he cannot be allowed to leave without reciting his famous verse 'Mohasra', a fine piece of resistance poetry, so he did and also delivered his ghazal.

Suna hai usko shaghaf hai kharaab halon say
So apney aap ko barbad ker key dekhtay hain
Dosh per baar-e-zamana bhi uthana tha hamain
Masla sirf teray naaz uthaney ka na tha
Aae din ek nai aafat chali aati hai Faraz
Log kahtey hain ke ye shaher basanay ka na tha
Munir Niazi lamented in the following couplets:
Meri sari zindagi ko bay-samer usnay kia
Umr meri thi mager usko baser usnay kia
Shehr mein voh motber meri gavahi say hua
Phir mujhay is shahr mein na motber usnay kia

The poets, who enthralled the audience by their enchanting ghazals and one or two verses were the following Dr Pirzada Qasim, Shahzad Ahmad, Mohsin Ehsan, Khalid Alig, Saher Ansari, Fahmida Riaz, Anwer Shaoor, Amjad Islam Amjad, Naqqash Kazmi, Fatema Hasan, Naseer Turabi, Sabir Zafer, Sajjad Baber, Samina Raja, Salim Kauser, Yasmin Hameed, Jamal Pani Pati, Wazahat Nasim and Mahmood Shaam.