Washington, July 20 - As their government leaders shake hands but fail to act, a group of artistes from India and Pakistan have joined hands to present a play highlighting the composite culture that binds them.

The play 'Jisne Lahore Nahin Dekhya', or One Who Has Not Seen Lahore, would appropriately be staged on Aug 14 and 15, the independence days of Pakistan and India at the prestigious Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts here. There will be performances also in New York, London and Sydney.

Produced by Pushpa Dashottar and directed by Umesh Agnihotri under the banner of Phoenix Rising Media Group, the play will be performed by local actors of Indian and Pakistani origin.

'Jisne Lahore Nahin Dekhya' is a highly acclaimed Hindi drama by playwright Asghar Wajahat. Set in 1947 during the time of partition, the play depicts the strength of human relationships in an atmosphere charged with communal hatred, intolerance, and vendetta, director Agnihotri said.