A memorable evening...

Pakistani literature, like the country itself is charmingly diverse in its essence and valuable contributions from both the genders are keeping it thriving. It may sound naive to mention the term 'gender' while talking about a literary piece yet there can't be detached a strong femenistic feel whenever a contribution of a female literati is under observation especially in the context of pakistani literature. Names like Fehmida Riaz, Zahra Nigah, Noshi Gilani, Shabnum Shakeel and the late Parveen Shakir resounds heavily whenever there is a talk of the notable pakistani literati.
One tasted the pleasure of listening live verses from most of the above mentioned female poets along with a galaxy of others invited from all over the country for a forum organized by the Academy Of Letters Pakistan Islamabad in connection with the 'Word Womens Day' 2008. It was a memorable evening where poetry of high standards was shared by the guest poetess' presided by Zehra Nigah; a legendary female writer and poet.
Most of the poets paid tributes to the late Benazir Bhutto whose tragic murder mourned through most of the poems recited on the evening.
Zehra Nigah captured the evening with one of her classy poems 'suna hay' which is a metaphorical picture of the state of the affairs at our land of the pure. It goes like;

suna hay jangalon ka bhi koi dastoor hotha hay,
suna sher ka jab pait bhar jaey,
tau woh hamla nahi kartha,
suna hay jab kisi naddi kay pani may,
baye kay ghonslay ka gandmi saya larazta hay,
tau naddi ki ro pehli machlian us ko,
parhosi maan laithi hain,
hawa kay taiz jhonkay jab darakhton ko hilatay hain,
to maina apnay ghar ko bhool kar,
kawway kay andon ko paron may tham laiti hay,
suna ghonslay say jab koi bacha giray tau,
sara jangal jaag jata hay,
naddi may baarh aajaye,
koi pul toot jaey tau,
kisi lakrhi kay takhtay par,
gulehri, saanp, cheetah, aur bakri,
saath hothay hain,
suna hay jangaloon ka bhi koi dastoor hotha hay,
khudawanda, jaleel o Mautabar, Dana o Beena, Munsif o Akbar,
hamaray shehr may ab,
jangalon ka hi koi dastoor nafiz kar!