Jashn-e-Bahar mushaira revives memories of Mughal Era

new delhi: with the objective of reviving the tradition of `mushaira', which has been a part of the delhi culture since the mughal times, an urdu mushaira, jashn-e-bahar (spring celebrations) was held here. renowned urdu poets from india, pakistan and bangladesh participated in the mushaira last night, which was attended among others by former prime minister inder kumar gujral, rajya sabha member kuldeep nayyar and veteran film actress zohra sehgal.according to the organiser of `jashn-e-bahar', kaamna prasad, the annual event was started in 1999 "with the objective to revive the lost tradition of mushaira and to emphasise the fact that even today young writers from across the country choose urdu as a vehicle for their creative expression". renowned hindi poet and vice chancellor of mahatma gandhi international university, wardha, ashok vajpayi, who presided over the function, said "mushaira gives an opportunity to wander into another life and yet does not detach one from the reality". "it is just an extension of the real life. it reflects on the social life and other contemporary issues," he said. "it allows us to dream and only those who can dream can see the truth," vajpayi added. collection of works of two poets, translated into devanagari script by meka communications and published by jiya publications, were also released at the function. works of pakistani poet ahmed faraz, "khanabadosh chahatain (nomad wishes), compiled in `baak' form, were released by gujral, a scholar and poet himself. gujral likened the get-together of the poets from the subcontinent to a people's summit. "there was a meeting in agra a couple of weeks back. i feel this is also a summit meeting and a better one. i hope this succeeds in its objectives," gujral said, adding "today the summit is of scholars and friends". he said urdu language connected india and pakistan in a "relation of love and friendship". a collection of daag dahelvi's works, "urdu hai jis ka naam (that what is called urdu), translated into devanagari was released by veteran journalist kuldeep nayyar.