Remembering Parveen Shakir on Her Sixteenth Death Anniversary

“We ought to have met, in another time, in pursuit of attainable dreams, below a different sky,

Upon a different earth, we ought to have met then, there.”
Parveen Shakir

Today marks the sixteenth death anniversary of a great poetess of Pakistan. Even after sixteen years of her death, her poetical works remain unmatched. As a prolific poet, she started writing at a very young age. The first volume of her poetry “Khushbu” got great critical acclamation in 1970s. The other volumes of her poetry, “Sad-e-Barg”, “Inkaar”, “Khud Kilami” and “Kaif-e Aaaina” were also equally popular. Besides her poetical works, “Gosha-e-chashm” (compilation of her newspaper columns) was also acclaimed.  The work “Mah-e-tamam” forms a compilation of her all poetical works.

Her poetry primarily draws deep influences from Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi. She used to call him “Ammujan” and the first collection “Khushbu” is dedicated to him. Also, the opening poem titled “Sar-e-Shaakh-e-gul” of “Khushbu” is also written on him. Parveen is also the first poetess to use English titles for Urdu poems. Her poems “Ecstasy”, “Prism”, “Catharsis”, and “Duty” have English titles.

Parveen had her own style and diction that remains matchless with any other poet of Pakistan. Ghazal and freestyle are the only two forms of poetry that she used. Her poetical works mainly reflect the themes of love, gender discrimination, social injustice, feminism, social stigmas and romanticism. Apart from being a romanticist, her works reflect the tranquil concepts of love, beauty and contradiction, along with usage of metaphors and embodiments. She was also the first poet to use a term “Larki” in her works. 

“Gaye janam ki sada” from her first work “Khushbu”, are a few lines……..

“Woh ek larki………

Ke jis se shayad mein ek pal bhi nahi mili hun………

Mein uskey chehre ko janti hun k uska chehra…………..

There is another poem “Muqaddar” where she writes……..

“Mein wo larki hoon jis ko pehli raat……..

Koi ghoonghat utha key yeh kehdey………”

This unique style of using feminine language is seen rare in the world of a male-dominated Urdu poetry, where a girl is openly talking about something she feels or something that touches her.  This gives the most elegant female touch to her work. After Fahmida Riaz, Parveen was obviously the next Urdu poetess to bring out and sketch an influential feminine voice that was both exigent and engaging to a male dominated society. This was the area where she created her own forte. As compared to her ghazals, her freestyle work is more about social matters and taboos like gender inequality, gender unfairness, nationalism, sham, prostitution, human psyche and current affairs.

She is one of those Urdu poets whose works have impressed everyone through her thematic and pragmatic poetry. Her works simply add a new facet to the customary theme of love by presenting it in a simpler yet more transparent style and by using a multiplicity of words and metaphors to express different thoughts with varying intensities.  Her works truly define the susceptibility of several generations and reflect an in-separation of poetry and tragedy. The very deep romanticism that radiantly runs in her works shows a subterranean and colossal refinement with an amalgamated melody.

Her poetry has also been sung and composed by many singers and musicians. Tassawar Khanum beautifully sang her poem “Tooti he meri neend magar…..”. Famous band Vital Signs sang her poem “Chehra” in different versions. Tina Sani sang her “Sundar Komal Sapno ki..” Mehdi Hasan sang “Koo ba koo phel gai”  from collection “Khushbu” in 1982. Habib Wali sang “Gori karat Singhaar” from her collection “Khushbu”, later which was performed by Jawad Ahmed as well.

Her first book “Khushbu” won Pakistan's Adamjee Award and she was later awarded Pride of Performance. She left us on 26th of December 1994 in a car accident.

If he be scent, let him not touch me

and pass, until he be part of my existence.

The flower half-opened its lips,

I shall cleanse his lashes with my shawl

So the dust of this day's journey,

May not enter tomorrow's!

Farhan Khan & Hasnain as Guests on Our Show

Clips of K2 Klub Eid Show

Furqan Javed & Chodry Noman as a Guest on Our Show

Rizwan ul Haque and Pietro as Guests on Our Show

Clips Of Haroon as a Guest on Our Show

A Dreadful Hall mark

I was planning to write on this issue, but the biggest hurdle in my way was the data availability. After talking to several male models and some event managers, I was able to write on Homophobia and abuse that exists in the modeling world. This happens to be a critical and crucial part of the modeling world. In Pakistani fashion industry as well as fashion industry abroad, this culture is found too much. The models and starters who want to begin their career and earn name in the world of modeling often fall prey to gay photographers, artists, stylists and even designers at times. “Homophobia is a hall mark of the fashion industry.” as these are words from a female event manager, who is also responsible for finding fresh talent and new faces. Not being paid on time was also something that she talked about. “Homophobia in showbiz is very normal and rife because the victims hardly report the crimes out of a deep sense of shame. The predators go scot free and are usually ready for others victims because they know they will ever be punished”, she said. Another female model promoter talked about it as well. She is of the view that culprits are never punished, since victims are shy to share their stories and let the world know about them. She also talked about a modeling agency owner who asked her the details about a young boy. Plus the models are also scared. They think that the gay culprits would simply ruin their career and job, so they never bring out the stories. An upcoming model straight went to the promoter and complained to her about the male photographer who was constantly harassing him during a photo shoot. Fashion industry is one of the most challenging and demanding industries and the survival in this industry becomes harder just because of this culture, especially for those who don’t want to be a part of the homo culture.

The victims want to earn a name and want to be well paid as well. But this kind of abuse and harassment simply ruins their self-worth and self-esteem. Another model talked about the kind of politics, monopoly and homo culture. “There is little kind of dirty politics and homo culture in the modeling world,” she said. She also feels that men and women both often find it hard to have a survival in modeling world just because of this issue. An upcoming male model, who has worked for many agencies also, shared in his words how a very well known male designer had offered him to promote him to a high level in fashion industry in Pakistan and abroad only if he fulfills his wrong demands. He also talked about a photographer who tried to harass him during a photo shoot. Later, almost each model talked about a feeling of anger, hatred, fear and shame that they went through. The models also talked about being harassed too. 

The problem is that severe gender roles are taught from birth by the family, schools and the media, all of which firmly define and uphold the concept of hegemonic masculinity. Ismat Chughtai wrote on it in her highly and critically acclaimed story “Lihaaf” on which she was persecuted as well. The lady, on which she wrote this homo encounter story, later met her and told her that just because of this story she was able to leave her husband. Homosexual activity is a misdemeanor and prohibited in most Muslim-majority countries. What can be done, what shall be done, and what has to be done is a very big debate. After all its all modeling and fashion world. It’s not even easy to talk about such issues nor find any real solution to it. The law for harassment is up there, but people are scared of making a complaint against any culprit, for a better career. It’s not something non-professional but un-ethical, or may be un-lawful as well. 

Names of the victims have been changed for privacy.The following post was published in 

Express Tribune, with some changes.......This was the original version.......

Sabrosa Purr: Los Angeles New Superstars

Sabrosa Purr is a genre-defying band from Los Angeles, California. The band comprises four members: Will Love is the guitarist, Jeff Mendel is the lead guitarist, Angie Mattson is on bass and Mahsa Zargaran is on drums. Their self-produced début EP was released in and then the follow-up EP was released in 2009. Their full album, produced by Tracy Chisholm, is estimated to be released in fall 2010. The band has performed and toured several places like US and Japan. Some of the beautiful songs by the band include "Fashion kills", "The Lovely People", "Closer" and "One Weak Moment". 

---

Sadaf Fayyaz: What would you say about your education and music training?

Will Love: I took some lessons at home, else I am self-taught.
Jeff Mendel: Same as Will, took a few lessons as a kid, but mostly self-taught.
Mahsa Zargaran: Classically trained in piano since the age of five. Self taught in other instruments with help and tips from my awesome musician friends (i.e. I wouldn't be the drummer I am today without input from Mr. Love).

SF: What would be your inspiration in music?

Will Love: Mine came from tones, textures, ambiance, peanut butter, espresso and John C. Reilly.
Jeff: Definitely inspired by Bill Murray and Ramen
Mahsa Zargaran: I'm inspired by details, rain, Balenciaga, Le Corbusier, Ayn Rand, fog, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Daniel Day Lewis, Rachmaninoff.

SF: Give a brief intro of the band members.

Will Love- Singer/Guitarist, I started the band. I wear tighter pants than are probably fashionable which is probably what inspired our song "Fashion Kills", which is today the #4 most requested song on KROQ's Locals Only Top 5!
Jeff - Guitars and socks
Mahsa Zargaran: I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran and had never even heard of The Beatles until a few years ago, so I never thought I would ever be in a band in my life, let alone be the drummer of one of my favorite bands of all time! I saw Sabrosa Purr live at Spaceland in 2008. Fell in love with everything about the band and became an instant fan, and I can't believe that now I get to be the Purr drummer!

SF: What made you guys go for music?

Will Love: My uncle; He was a great musician who played in bars all over Texas. Seemed like a whole helluva lot of fun.
Jeff: My brother gave me a Jimi Hendrix album when I was 12 and it changed my life.
Mahsa Zargaran: I never thought I had the option of pursuing music as something that's more than a hobby until 5 years ago when I moved to Los Angeles and went to recording school thinking it would be fun to learn to record music I write in my spare time someday. I had never met any musicians until then. And that changed my life forever.

SF: What was the first instrument you learnt playing and at what age?

Will Love- Drums at age twelve. I played snare drum in the marching band.
Jeff: I got a guitar when I was thirteen
Mahsa Zargaran: Piano at five.

SF: Tell about your favorite bands and musicians.

Will Love: Radiohead, Prince, Oasis and Eminem
Jeff: Floyd
Mahsa Zargaran: Massive Attack, Portishead, NIN, PJ Harvey, Radiohead, Scott Walker, George Michael, Pink Floyd & Sabrosa Purr of course! (I hadn't heard any of these bands until only a few years ago, except for George Michael. Yes, apparently I did grow up under a rock.)

SF: Share a few lines on your upcoming album.

Will Love: well our upcoming album is named "To The Crickets and The Ghosts" that is a triumph over adversity as I imagine most albums by indie bands are. That album is intense because our lives were so intense while writing and recording it. But, there's some beauty in there as well. The overflow of beauty can be found on our EP "Volaras".

SF: Where would you place your music genre?

Will Love: Indie/Alternative/Glam & Shoegaze
Jeff: I'd throw in Rock, too.

SF: Tell something about your cover songs?

Will Love: Yes, so many
Jeff: Yes.
Will Love: Ok, we're being smartasses, you really meant to know what they were. :) I did"Cocaine" by Clapton/JJ Cale and "To Bring You My Love" by PJ Harvey, and "The Cross" by Prince. But, we've yet to record that last one.

SF: How do you learn things?

Will Love: Currently from pain and the internet.
Jeff: I learn from books.
Mahsa Zargaran: Books. And Will Love. The guy is an information junkie. I almost can cancel my internet or any connection with the outside world, maybe even go back to living under a rock and I wouldn't miss a thing that goes on as long as he visits my rock once in a while.

SF: What is music according to you?

Will Love: I suppose music could be defined as "when various sonic elements get along with each other".
Jeff: "sounds that make your brain say 'yummy'"
Mahsa Zargaran: An engagement with others (not necessarily humans)

SF: What message would you like to give the readers?

Will Love: You are more appreciated by these 4 people that most of you have never met than you could possibly imagine.
Jeff: Come to our shows! Naked!
Mahsa Zargaran: I am very excited for you to discover us! There are textures we've been making that I've never heard any other band create.

 The Interview was published in Unrated Magazine.

A place of Marvelous Art and Architecture

The Serena Hotel is built in the heart of Islamabad and reflects history and enlightening heritage. The Hotel complex extends of 13 acres of landscape gardens. The real triumph of the Hotel is its rich and beautiful interiors as well as its exclusive location. The design combines a hybrid of modern as well as traditional styles, with a modern scheme and open plans and traditional finishing and detailing style. The unique combination enhances its prolific décor and marvelous style that differentiates Serena Islamabad from other hotels. 

While talking about the architecture of Serena, the rich use of “Mushrabiyas” (bay windows) throughout the façade and lobby add more splendors to it. The main idea behind is the use of “Sheesham” wood and a revival of old Islamic Civilizations where bay windows were used for fresh air circulation. Apart from depicting a rich Islamic and cultural architectural heritage, the true style is simply reflected in aesthetics of the public areas, rooms, corridors and restaurants, with a deeply rooted sense of art. The manifested work of the artisans deeply encompasses the magical beauty on ceilings, walls, floors and furnishing. The hand-made glaze tiles add more majesty to the interior. Also the hand-carved “Naqashi” could be seen there. The interior has simply artistic creations by Ustad Saiffullah, Michoo Sallah-Ud-Din, Shafique Rana, Master Mahmood and Ustad Allah Rakha.

The interior uses a rich and fine combination of Botticino marble flooring, Sheesham wood, earth-tone on walls and Chakwal sand stone in an ideal blend. Upon reaching the entrance, one sees a sand blasted intricate glass designs that impart the image of a circumspect luxury. The striking use of marble flooring throughout the hotel reflects the mastered and skillful work of Pakistani artisans. The lobby is simply scattered with classy and nostalgic imagination. Especially the fountain at lobby adds more grandeur and charm to it, with water flowing from bowl and Diyas (lights) floating on the surface. Thus, the style creates an ambiance of harmony and serenity. The lobby’s floor is interlaced with symmetrical and geometrical patterns of marble.

Also, apart from the interlaced designs, the unusual use of materials and their replication at certain places add more attractiveness, opulence and glamour to the interior decor. The antique and marvelous Persian rugs add more complexity and beauty to the interior. This reflects a style of perfect proportion and balance, deeply enriched with exquisite craftsmanship and deep hall marks of Islamic architecture. The use of wooden arches that frame colonnades supporting balconies is truly ravishing. Also, the linear and proportional extension of the colonnades, bifurcating spaces and attaching the lobby adds more exquisiteness to the interior. The rich Iranian crystal-made Shamadans (chandeliers) add a highly romantic touch to the lobby lounge. The elegant crystal chandeliers known as Shamadans in Turkmenistan and “Lalae” in Iran are one of the most fabulous décor pieces at Serena.

As ceilings are concerned, they are produced with the same elegance and splendid geometric expression of interlaced wood with floral motifs beautifully brushed in ochre, amber green and Indian red. The main lobby ceiling exemplifies the rich “Naqashi” of Ustad Saif-ur-Rehman. The magnificent transformation of Sheesham into splendid piece of art is commendable achievement. The ceiling of the main lobby has been lined with a plaster and arabescue stucco tiles.

The Zamana Restaurant delightfully blends together Moorish, Kashmiri, Islamic and traditional sways in an assorted fashion. The overall special effort by the designers and architects to essay and safeguard the customary crafts has been an inimitable feature of Serena Islamabad. “The Maghreb” Speciality Restaurant luxuriantly enthralls with an enhancing brilliance and exotics achieved through the beautifully arched ceilings and crystal chandeliers. Talking about the interior of the Banquet Hall, it’s beautifully and richly lavished with features of Moorish and Islamic brilliance. One would find a family note of Islamic finery and gorgeousness with textured plastered walls and hand-painted domed ceilings. However, the doorways from the Hall have been outlined with the lime plaster and stucco respite. Also, the vibrant ceilings of the Banquet Hall are painted by Ustad Saif-ur-Rehman that truly exhibits his genius. Just like the lobby, the hall is also enriched with drapery of colors and intricate furniture.

As coming to the art work, the Serena’s interior exhibits a rich collection of art work by renowned artists like Naheed Raza, Gulgee, Amin Gulgee, Samina Ali Akhtar, Maleeha Ali Agha, Masroor, Kazi, Abrar and Has-saan Gardezi. The “Maisha” health club and pool offer some nice gym facilities, along with some steam room and dry heat saunas too. Talking about the fabrics and carpets, the most revived designs have been used from Swat, Punjab and Kashmir. The rich source of Afghani hand-woven carpets, Kilims, Moroccan and Tunisian traditions encompass a deep heritage. Special care has been taken in the design and selection of fabrics, curtains and carpets to ensure factual manifestation of Islamic Architecture. The architecture at Serena truly reflects the masterpiece beauty and skill of Nayyer Ali Dada. The fabrics and furniture is of Casabella where furniture and wood work has been by Mohkam Furnishers.

The Post was published in Aaj TV.