Poetry recitation marks Women’s Day

Mushahira and painting exhibition were organised

LAHORE:

A Mehfil-e-Mushahira was held at Alhamra to commemorate International Women's Day. Female poets presented their poetry to rapturous applause from the audience. The Mushaira was presided over by renowned poet Yasmin Hameed and eminent poets including Bushra Ejaz, Farhat Zahid, Mah Noor Rana, Aman Shahzadi and Ambrin Salahuddin presented their works.

While Saima Kamran, Saima Aftab, Fatima Mehro, Manoor Sultana, Nilo Far Afzal, Anafal Rafiq, and other women recited their poetry. Renowned poetess Sofia Bidar performed the duties of organizing the Mushaira in her unique style.

Executive Director Alhamra Nazia Jabeen said that promoting different traditions is the best initiative taken by the Punjab government, adding that poetry is a sensitive form of expression through which people describe the situations and events happening around them or on the emotions they feel.

Jabeen further said that today's women are writing good poetry and there is a need to use the pen responsibly. "It is a challenge to carry home and office together, which our women successfully cope with, she added.

Executive Director Jabeen further added that women are making a name for themselves in the arts as in other areas of life and the work of women artists is undoubtedly admirable and inspiring.

On the other hand, an exhibition was also organised to pay tribute to the high morale of women worldwide. Executive Director Jabeen, Director General PILAC Benish Fatima, Deputy Secretary Sadaf Fatima and renowned artist Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi inaugurated the show.

The work of the women artists displayed in the exhibition was deemed exceptionally creative, high-quality and authentic, which the visitors highly appreciated. The work of renowned artists Maleeha Agha, Rahat Naveed Masood, Shahida Manzoor, Naila Amir, Shehla Farooq and others was displayed in the exhibition.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2023.