CHANDIGARH, FEB 28: It is Indo-Pak spring and who but the poets (initiators of the process) can understand and express it better? Powerful verses flowed as poets of two nations gathered at Tagore Theatre for the Indo-Pak Mushaira organised jointlyu by Indradhanush, a Haryana fine arts association and Department of Cultural Affairs.Under moderator Bashir Bader's baton, the poets entertained, enlightened and made one think too. As was done by the city's offering to the mushairas here and abroad, Ramnendra Sahil Jakhu, the bureaucrat-turned-poet. His words encapsulated the present state of affairs in a nutshell. "Aapne aisa maseeha dekha hai kya, Zakhm dekar jo yeh pooche, Dard sa hota hai kya?'' Sahil sang and went further, "Koi bhi umeed uske ghar se barsaati nahi, Ab khuda ke ghar sifarish ka chalan chalta hai kya?'' In earlier mushairas, only two or three poets used to come from Pakistan, but this evening was graced by about 12 of them. Their feelings were reflected by young Zahid Fakhri when his recitation in pure Punjabi left the hall emotionally charged. For he wondered why his motherland had to bear these wounds. The poem, no doubt, drew thunderous applause but moved many women to tears too.
