Urdu can bridge gap between India and Pakistan: Poets

Urdu can create better understanding between the people of India and Pakistan, noted poets from the two countries opined today.
"There are many people in Pakistan who have read Urdu poetry written by Indian poets. Even the poetry written in Devnagiri or Roman script is getting popular," said Professor Wasim Barelvi, a renowned Urdu poet.
"People on both sides of the border want to understand Urdu poetry written by poets from India and Pakistan and that is acting as a bridge between the two countries," he said.
India and Pakistan are facing similar problems and Urdu language helps in the betterment of understanding and creating a sense of empathy between people across the border, the 75-year-old poet said.

Poets from Pakistan also echoed his thoughts. "Urdu is already bridging the gap between India and Pakistan and we have to take it forward," said Pirzada Qasim, an Urdu poet from Pakistan.
"Urdu is connecting the two countries and it is connecting the people who speak Urdu with Pakistan more," said Amjad Islam Amjad, an Urdu poet, drama writer and lyricist from Pakistan.

The poets were speaking on the sidelines of the Urdu symposium.
Minister of Minority Affairs Najma Heptullah, NC president Farooq Abdullah, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University Zameer Uddin Shah were also present.

Addressing the gathering, Abdullah said language connects people whether it is Urdu or Parsi. "We want friendship. We want our development and Pakistan's development," he said.
Kamna Prasad, Urdu activist and founder of the non-profit Jashn-e-Bahar Trust, said, "Today when the entire world and especially the sub-continent are impacted by divisive forces and intolerance, an open-minded anchored in spirituality and literature is the only solution in a conflict-riddled world."
Poets from India, including Barelvi, Naseem Nikhat and Nusrat Mehdi, will share the stage with Amjad, Abbas Tabish, Rehana Roohi and Pirzada Qasim from Pakistan, Farhat Shahzad from the US, Zamin Jafri from Canada and Zubair Farooq from Dubai.

Modern calligraphy by renowened painter late M F Husain finds a place amid cutting edge new media in the set decor reminiscent of the classical age of Urdu poetry.
The Trust said it organises the annual event with the aim of promoting amity in the subcontinent and nurturing the unique institution of mushaira wherein practitioners of the art of Urdu poetry present compositions directly to audience.
Eminent poet Mansoor Usmani conducted a mushaira at the Delhi Public School here.