AUGUST 24-30 2014
Made of
Honour In the bylanes of Lyari, Karachi, you will find women with an iron will
AUGUST 24-30 2014
Feature
Art Reborn The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is the perfect getaway for art lovers
Cover Story Made of Honour Meet the female powerhouses from Lyari, Karachi
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Feature
Cross-border lessons Pakistani students cross the border to meet and interact with their Indian counterparts
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36 Regulars
6 People & Parties: Out and about with beautiful people
38 Reviews: Movies, books and music 42 Health: Trapped in the menstrual cycle
Magazine In-charge: Sarah Munir and Senior Subeditor: Dilaira Dubash Creative Team: Amna Iqbal, Essa Malik, Jamal Khurshid, Samra Aamir, Munira Abbas, Omer Asim, Sanober Ahmed & Talha Ahmed Khan Publisher: Bilal A Lakhani. Editor: Kamal Siddiqi For feedback and submissions: magazine@tribune.com.pk Twitter: @ETribuneMag & Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ETribuneMag Printed: uniprint@unigraph.com
PEOPLE & PARTIES
9Lines holds its Eid exhibition, POP Bazaar, in Lahore
PhOTOS cOuRTESy BILAL MukhTAR EvEnTS & PR
Sehrish, Madiha, Sana and Amna
Tayyaba, Rabia and Aisha
Mahnoor
m
Sabeen and Maria
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Mahrukh
Fatima and Zehra
PEOPLE & PARTIES
PhOTOS cOuRTESy BILAL MukhTAR EvEnTS & PR
Nida and Zoya
Sarah, Airaj and Mahnoor
Armish
Saman and Neha
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Saba, Mishal and Ramsa
PEOPLE & PARTIES
The pret store Pinar along with multi-designer store Brand house opens in Lahore
PhOTOS cOuRTESy BILAL MukhTAR EvEnTS & PR
Fareeha, Daisy and Zofishan
Waseem, Nazia, Natty and Mehar
Sakib and Gul
Vicky and Nayab
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Salma
Adil
PEOPLE & PARTIES
PhOTOS cOuRTESy BILAL MukhTAR EvEnTS & PR
Khishwar Chsudhry, Silkina and Awina Chaudhry
Babloo and Resham
Rimsha
ber
Mehreen and Um
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Momina Raza and Faryal Khan
PEOPLE & PARTIES
Tara Uzra Dawood
Ambreen Saleh
Maliha Bhimjee
liha Tahir
Bina Butt and Ma
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Pomme Afzal
PhOTOS cOuRTESy khAnz
Shaheen khan of khanz, hosts an Eid Milan party for the organising committee members of Ladiesfund in karachi
Made of
Honour In the bylanes of Lyari, Karachi, you will find women with an iron will TEXT AND PHOTOS BY SARA KHATRI DESIGN BY TALHA AHMED KAN
It is hard enough being a man in Lyari, Karachi — one of the oldest and most contentious neighbourhoods of the sprawling metropolis. It is a different story altogether if you are a woman trying to make it on your own in this area which is rife with gang wars, violence and poverty. But if you spend enough time in the winding lanes of this misunderstood neighbourhood, you will find women with extraordinary courage and willpower, rising above stereotypes and taking charge of their own destiny. While some of them are supporting their families from the confines of their homes others are leaving their comfort zones to face life headon. In either case, each of their stories is an insight into the beauty of the human condition of survival. Their capacity for gratitude is a reminder that being content is a choice.
Nur Bibi, 75 My brothers tell me all the time to stop working at this age and rest. But I tell them that I will earn and provide for myself. I will not run to my brothers. I believe in being self-sufficient. Nur Bibi or Nuratun, as she is commonly referred to in her neighbourhood, has always been single. And it has made her fiercely independent, she claims. Nearly 40 years ago, she set up a small shop outside her house where she sells chips, cookies, candies and paan to earn a living. Even though she was the first of her kind, many women have since followed suit and set up their own shops in the area.
Nur Bibi, or ‘Nuratun’ (short for Nur Khatun), flashes a smile at the camera as she sits under the scorching sun in her usual spot.
COVER STORY Yasmin, 57 I raised my children alone and worked hard to provide them with an education. That is my biggest achievement. My ideology is never to be dependent on anyone — not even on my children.
Yasmin, a single mother of three, sits outside on her roof stitching her neighbour’s clothes for which she will earn around Rs200.
A husband who provides for you and takes care of the family was a luxury Yasmin never knew since her husband never bought a penny home. Hence, she set up her own business and started selling homemade ice cream to support her children. The business grew over time and Yasmin transformed two of the rooms in her house into a production space and hired an employee to supply the ice cream to stores across the city. After 15 years, however, the business had to be shut down in 2006 due to rising costs and worn-out machinery. To supplement the income, Yasmin also started a pickle business, which found a market in Dubai. Together, the earnings from both ventures helped put her children through school. Having fulfilled her duties as a parent where all her children are now independent, Yasmin keeps herself busy these days by stitching clothes for people in the neighbourhood.
Anila Nabbi Buksh, 35 There’s a song by Shehzad Roy, in which he says “uth baandh kamar kya darta hai, phir dekh khuda kya karta hai.” (Get up, brace yourself and proceed without fear. Then see how God helps you). These lyrics are etched in my mind as it is the truth.
Anila Nabbi Buksh, sits on her roof to escape the long hours during a power breakdown. She is surrounded by her four children, each fighting for space closest to her while she works on her colourful, embroidered pens that are sold for Rs200 each.
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When 22-year-old Anila got married to a strict, conservative and highly reserved man, she made peace with a life of subservience. Seven years later, an accidental encounter with the principal at her children’s school changed her mind in the most unexpected ways. The school which believes in educating mothers along with their children taught Anila the important lesson of self-respect and equality. This brave step came with risks but it worked in Anila’s favour; her husband appreciated her newfound confidence and their relationship evolved into one based on mutual respect. She also began contributing to the household income by selling brightly coloured, embroidered pens, proving that a woman can do anything as well as a man, if she sets her mind to it.
Gulnissa, 39 If anyone is going through a tough time, I tell them to have patience and pray to God. Screaming, whining, complaining or fighting won’t get you anywhere. Do good and the same will happen to you. Having to play the role of both parents did not come as a surprise to Gulnissa, who was abandoned by her own father at a young age. After her husband’s repeated disappearances — for years at a stretch — she decided to step up to the challenge for her five children. She worked in people’s houses, sold homemade food items, stitched and embroidered clothes but never gave up. Today, she proudly claims that she did everything she could to provide for her children.
Gulnissa leans against the wall of her house as she narrates her story.
Maha, 35 My father used to beat up my mother in front of me. I couldn’t tolerate it so I stood up and screamed. I was the first one out of my 12 siblings to stand up to him. I decided that I would not live my life in fear. Three years ago, when Maha’s alcoholic husband left her, she did not waste time dwelling upon life’s injustices. Instead, she did the following: file for a divorce, get custody of her three children and learn how to drive. Soon enough she saved up enough to buy a used van and began working as a school bus driver for The Kiran School in Lyari. Today, the job makes her enough money to pay for her children’s education and provide for her family.
Maha parks her van as she brings children back from their respective summer schools to the designated pick-up spot.
Shahzadi, 49 I do this for God and God helps me. As long as I can, I want to help others and be self-sufficient. Shahzadi, who has been working as a spiritual healer for the past 18 years, does not charge a fixed fee for her services, leaving it to the clients to pay as they please. She claims that the work often takes an emotional toll on her and is hard to manage with her familial responsibilities but Shahzadi says she will continue her work until people need her.
Shahzadi deals with a customer who has come to her seeking help, while other women in the room patiently wait for their turn.
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COVER STORY Fatimah Bai Jatarn, 52 It was always my dream to get a new house from my own earnings. And I did it. It gives me a lot of happiness to just look at it — it is a living proof of my hard work and dedication.
Fatimah Bai Jatarn organises the merchandise she has been collecting to sell on her next business trip.
The ability to see a vacuum of resources as an opportunity is perhaps an entrepreneur’s greatest strength. And Fatima Bai Jatarn had plenty of that. She set up her business by travelling from Karachi to inner Sindh regularly to sell clothes to women who cannot leave their villages and brings back hand-printed ajraks to sell in the city. Jatarn claims she has never had any problems despite having to travel long distances for work and being surrounded mostly by men. While most seasoned businessmen shy away from payments in installments, Jatarn has used that as her edge over other suppliers. And her strategy seems to have worked. Currently, she is planning to expand her business to India and has already made a few trips across the border.
Aan Bibi, 65 Women should first become strong and independent before they start thinking about marriage. It’s better to be alone than to be married and live a life of misery. It was Aan Bibi’s dream to see her eldest daughter in a doctor’s prestigious crisp white coat. For years, she sold homemade sweetmeats, stitched and crocheted to breathe life into that dream. But as fate would have it, she lost her firstborn to an accident. Meanwhile, she also struggled with her son who refused to acknowledge her efforts as a parent and turned to his father who had abandoned them years ago. Despite all the challenges, Aan Bibi braved on. Now she wants other young women to learn from her experiences and advises them to learn to support themselves before starting a family.
cab intem et il maximil il millendae porruptati blat experum fugit am core, simetur accabor as iduntiatiur? Aan Bibi relaxes in her sister’s apartment as she takes a trip down memory lane and reflects on her life.
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Taj Bibi Regardless of whether you have a brother or a son who can support you, your own earnings are your own. Nothing is more satisfying than that. If you earn yourself, it’s a comfortable life because you are not answerable to anyone.
Taaj Bibi sits in the middle with her sisters, Maa bibi (left) and Aan bibi (right), as she sells fried items at Baataan Chowk, named after their mother, Baataan, who initiated this venture almost 50 years ago. The wall writing behind reads, ‘Roti, kapra aur makaan, maang raha hai har insaan, ulfat roshni sub ko kaam, maang raha hai har insaan.’ (Food, clothes and shelter is the need of the hour for every man, but love and enlightenment is equally important)
Taj Bibi and her two sisters have been working together for nearly 40 years now. Ever since they were children, they accompanied their mother, Baataan, to work who was the driving force behind this venture. The trio would come to the food stall each day and sit there from early morning till late into the evening, taking turns cooking. The food items on their menu including cholay, samosay, pakoray, machli ke chawal (rice with fish) and jalebi are famous in the area and have come to be known as ‘Taaj bibi ke Baataan.’ The sisters claim that it is a good line of work and has kept them comfortable over the years. Now, their only dream is to go for umrah.
Laal Bibi, 50 Life is very difficult for single, divorced and widowed women but the key is to not lose hope. Keep trying, focus on your children and give them an education. That is the most important thing. When Laal Bibi was married off to a gambler with an alcohol and drug-abuse problem, she had no option but to look out for herself. She stayed up long nights and started a food business from the confines of her house. She would cook in large quantities at night and sell it during the day. In her spare time, she also began working as a homebased masseuse for babies, a skill passed on to her by her grandmother. The journey has been tough but when she looks at her 10 children, whom she has supported singlehandedly, she feels that her efforts have not gone in vain.
Laal Bibi cooks in a little corner of her house. She cooks food in large quantities, which is later sold for breakfast and dinner. To deny that being a woman in Pakistan is a tough call would be akin to burying your head in the sand. But to be surrounded by women across the country who no longer resign themselves to their circumstances but brave on with their morale and heads raised high, makes the fight a tad bit easier. Sara Khatri is an aspiring clinical psychologist and who is passionate about photography. AUGUST 24-30 2014
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FEaTurE Amsterdam is cleaning up its act, The Guardian reported in April last year. The city that was once defined by its tolerant vibe, notorious brothels and cannabis cafes was now striving for an image makeover. And one of the key components of this transformation was the renovation and reopening of its major museums, such as The Van Gogh Museum, the National Maritime Museum and the Rijksmuseum — the Dutch answer to the Louvre. Rijksmuseum, built in 1800, first opened its collection to the public as the Nationale Kunstgallerij (National Art Gallery). In 1808, it was established as the Royal Museum by Louis Bonaparte, the king of the Netherlands at the time and Napoleon’s brother. In 1885, the Rijksmuseum moved to its existing building in the Museum Square, which was designed in the then fashionable Dutch neo-Renaissance style by Dutch architect, Petrus JH Cuypers. After 10 long years of renovation, the Rijksmuseum once again opened its doors to visitors on April 13, 2013, and received a record number of 2.2 million visitors that year making it the most visited museum in the Netherlands. And it continues to be a popular destination for art aficionados ever since. From its impressive façade to the surrounding natural beauty, the museum immediately sets the right aesthetic tone for its visitors. The spacious lobby 32 and reception area provides AUGUST 24-30 2014
Art Re Inside the Rijksmuseum, which houses Amsterdam’s finest art collection By Shanzay SuBzwari
DESiGn By SanOBEr ahMED
informative guidebooks for both adults and children that highlight key collections and famous artworks. Covering the entire expanse of this exhibition, however, is a Herculean task due to its massive scale and capacious collection spanning artwork from 1100 AD to 2000 AD. From Vermeer to Van Gogh and Rembrandt to Mondrian, along with an exceptional collection of Dutch antiques, a vast collection of prints, drawings and classic photography, the museum has everything an art connoisseur could ask for. I started with The Renaissance section which has delightful, brightly rendered paintings from the life of Christ (many of them, triptychs), ornaments, tapestries, sculptures and weapons on display. There is also an exceptional diptych showing leading Florentine architect di Cosimo and his musician father, the earliest portraits to characterise sitters by their profession. While the subjects are the focal point, as in most other paintings of this era, a sense of depth has been created with a well-rendered sky and cottages in the background. Nearby, an illuminated book of genealogy, dating back to 1590, features portraits from 800 years and 26 generations of the Count of Culemborg’s ancestry. Chalices dating back to 1100 AD in gilded silver, which were an emblem The rijksmuseum, located in the Museum Square in amsterdam has become a popular of beauty and wealth, are also attraction for art lovers. PHOTO SOURCE: CREATIVE COMMONS, WIKIPEDIA on display. A yellow paper with the words, ‘Only idiots like pretty sweet things’, is posted near one of the pieces as part of the museum’s ‘Art is Therapy’ 33
eborn
AUGUST 24-30 2014
FEaTurE
The exceptionally realistic dollhouse of Petronella Oortman, who was married to the amsterdam merchant Johannes Brandt. PHOTO SOURCE: CREATIVE COMMONS, WIKIPEDIA
Portrait of leading Florentine architect di Cosimo and his musician father, Francesco Giamberti da Sangallo. PHOTO SOURCE: CREATIVE COMMONS, WIKIPEDIA
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movement that questions the role of art. Similar thought-provoking signs are posted throughout the museum. In the section with pieces from 1800s onwards, one can see works by masters, such as Van Gogh and Daubigny. Here, religious imagery gives way to a study of landscapes and portraits of ordinary people. Van Gogh’s famous self-portrait as a fashionable Parisian, though rather small, is also on display. The paintings in this section have a sense of calm as compared to the melodrama of the medieval paintings, which is reflected in the colours as well. Nearby, a room based on Historicism from the mid-19th century accurately depicts historical events in Baroque, Rococo, Classicism and Gothic styles. Many paintings depict court art, a style devised by Napoleon and followed by other European courts. Huge beautifully rendered paintings including the museum’s largest painting, The Battle of Waterloo (1826), portraying the Duke of Wellington and soldiers in a largerthan-life battle scene are also on display. Other paintings depict battles at sea, as well as impressive stone sculptures of renowned personalities. Going a century back in time (16001700), you will find mansions recreated in painstaking detail as large wooden dollhouses. Little figurines in period costumes can be seen cooking, sitting or resting, amid heavily embroidered tapestries and wallpapers and minute art pieces that adorn the walls. Across the halls, bright glass paintings of historical figures, such as Plato, adorn the windows and the painted walls carry their own narratives. Even though the Rijksmuseum is replete with elaborate and impressive paintings, Rembrandt’s Night Watch (1642), identifiable immediately due to its popularity, holds its ground. The group portrait of the Amsterdam militiamen is renowned for its gigantic size
(11.91 ft × 14.34 ft), the effective use of light and shadow (chiaroscuro), and the observation of motion in what would have traditionally been a static military portrait. The painting was completed at the peak of the Dutch Golden Age and shows the men moving out, led by Captain Frans Banning (dressed in black, with a red sash) and his lieutenant, Willem van Ruytenburch (dressed in yellow, with a white sash). Its composition not only allows ample eye movement but also captures emotions effectively. After viewing such a thorough expanse of art, the third floor, with work from the 1900s to 2000s is a welcome change. The technological advancements of the time are reflected in the minimalist, innovative pieces, with an abstract, colourful drive for modernism. Apart from a rather small aircraft from the early 1900s, this section features modernist painter Karel Appel’s works as well as a piece from Yves Saint Laurent’s 1965 collection, inspired by Dutch minimalist Piet Mondrian. The museum is highly recommended if you want to see the works of artistic giants and observe how art practices evolved visually over the last millennium. The shift in art’s purpose over the years, and the need to constantly question and revise its aim is also clearly evident. As you exit, an ‘Art is Therapy’ paper on the wall mentions that many pieces on display were ‘pieces of propaganda’ of their times hailing it as a positive thing. It suggests that the current ‘art for art’s sake’ attitude should be replaced by ‘making suggestions on how to become a better person through the help of art’ — a worthwhile thought to leave the building with.
Shanzay Subzwari is a fine arts student at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture. She tweets @ShanzaySubzwari
rembrandt’s NightWatch, his largest and most famous canvas shows one of several halls of amsterdam’s civic guard, the city’s militia and police. rembrandt was the first to paint figures in a group portrait actually doing something. PHOTO SOURCE: CREATIVE COMMONS, WIKIPEDIA
Van Gogh’s famous self-portrait as a fashionable Parisian. PHOTO SOURCE: CREATIVE COMMONS,
A yellow paper with the words, ‘Only idiots like pretty sweet things’, is posted near one of the pieces as part of the museum’s ‘Art is Therapy’ movement that questions the role of art
WIKIPEDIA
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FEATURE
Cross-border lessons
Pakistani students embark on an educational yatra to India and return with a message of peace TEXT AND PHOTOS BY TAIMUR ARBAB DESIGN BY ESSA MALIK
The group of 12 students who went to India on an exchange programme arranged by the Centre for Advanced Studies in Karachi.
Most Pakistanis not only describe India as overwhelming and vibrant, but also as a home away from home. For the students of Centre for Advance Studies (CAS) School, Karachi, who crossed the border to India on the Nelson Mandela Peace Fellowship to Mayo College, Ajmer, it was a journey through history. Not only did they see the past through a different lens but were also exposed to the possibility of a more cordial future for both countries. The student exchange programme, part of the school’s partnership with regional schools in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, took a group of 12 students to Delhi, Ajmer, Agra and Jaipur earlier this year. In 2012, students from Ajmer’s Mayo College for Boys had visited Karachi on a similar exchange fellowship. The aim behind both programmes, however, was similar — to strengthen ties 36 between two nations that remain inextricably connected AUGUST 24-30 2014
through a shared history and culture. The two-week long excursion started from Delhi, an appropriate choice since the city is replete with historical structures that tell tales of a princely past. The first stop was the Sound and Lights show at the Delhi Fort — a oneand-a-half hour extravaganza of historic buildings bathed in hues of red, blue and orange, coupled with melodies of harem occupants, unknown lovers, fighting princes and war bugles from several dynasties — where they were reminded of a bygone era when kings ruled, eunuchs acted as chamberlains and harem members plotted palace intrigues. While the show was based on Delhi’s history, from the time of the sultanate, when the present capital first rose to fame on the geopolitical map of the subcontinent, to the coming of the British Raj and the subsequent freedom struggle, its missing chapters on the Partition of the subcontinent and Jinnah were fairly obvious. But that
history is a double-edged sword and is often moulded to suit the interests of those writing it, was a valuable lesson in itself. The next stop was Jamia Mosque, India’s largest mosque that can accommodate nearly 30,000 people. Here, students climbed the innermost minaret and saw Delhi in all its glory, from its squatter huts to the sprawling lush gardens. Later, at Raj Ghat, where Gandhi was cremated, they paid their respects to one of the most influential South Asian leaders in modern history and continued their journey to the Qutb Minar.Built by Qutbuddin Aibak in 1192, the imposing structure celebrates Muhammad Ghori’s victory over Prithiviraj at Panipat. Situated in the minar’s precincts, is the Quwwatul Islam mosque, which betrays the historical fact that Aibak employed the columns and blocks of various Hindu and Jain temples to complete the structure. Delhi’s history, fortunately, is as approachable as its people. At the Durgah of Nizamuddin Aulia, Goldie, a turbaned Sikh driver from Amritsar, Punjab, shared the everyday problems Indians face. “Had it not been for the politicians, India would have prospered,” he said. “Pakistan and India would have been much closer too.” And while in Ajmer, where the students were stationed for a week at the Mayo College — a replica of Aitchison College in Lahore that has produced many of India’s leading statesmen, generals and bureaucrats — they got an actual glimpse of what peace between the two countries would look like. Sharing classes and meals with students from Mayo College, Ajmer, where the Pakistani students spent a week with their Indian counterparts.
Raj Ghat, Delhi — Gandhi’s cremation site. all across India and participating in the Mayo College Girls’ School (MCGS) Model United Nations debate also enabled a healthy exchange of opinions. Major General Kanwar Vijay Singh Lalothra, principal of the college, who originally belongs to Shakargarh in West Punjab, which later became part of Pakistan, narrated how his family had been uprooted in the chaos that enveloped the subcontinent after the Partition. His personal account was a reminder of sacrifices made by the older generation on both sides of the border. After receiving Ajmer’s message of peace, the students travelled to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, to view the finest of Rajput structures and then proceeded to Agra to visit India’s white wonder, the Taj Mahal. As anyone who has travelled extensively will tell you, there can be no better lesson in history than seeing a place for yourself or having a heartfelt conversation with a local over a meal. Stereotypes are broken and lifelong friendships are born. But most importantly, through exchange trips like these, students are exposed to the possibility of a future that is significantly different from the history they are often taught — one based on peace, mutual respect and cooperation.
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Taimur Arbab is a Sociology teacher. He tweets @arbab333 AUGUST 24-30 2014
Bite-sized genius The heartwarming tale of a little boy as he is confronted by his own potential BY SCHAYAN RIAZ
There’s a brief moment in French filmmaker Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s latest film, The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet, in which we see two signposts, one pointing towards the ‘Mountain of Lies’ and the other to the ‘Prairie of Truth’. This beautiful shot encapsulates cinema as a whole, highlighting both its deceptive qualities as well as its possible realities. As viewers, we aren’t always able to choose between the two, less so in Jeunet’s films, who always operates with a distinctive hyper-realist visual style. The alternate worlds he creates underline the aforementioned cinematic query: what is real and what isn’t? Of course Jeunet’s cinema lives for special effects and with The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet, the director has ample opportunities to let his imagination run wild. It’s not his first English film (space-set Alien Resurrection holds that honour), but technically it’s his first film set in America. The film tells the story of titular hero T. S. Spivet (Kyle Catlett), who lives on a ranch in Montana with his scientist mother (the great Helena Bonham Carter), cowboy father (Callum Rennie), and beauty pageant-hopeful sister (Niamh Wilson). His twin brother Layton (Jakob Davies) has died in an accident and it’s not entirely clear whether Spivet’s carelessness or Layton’s foolishness is to blame for the latter’s tragic demise. Spivet is a young genius, who has a passion for inventing obscure objects and solving problems scientifically. His father
is cold towards him, but his mother, who is obsessed with bugs, might be the reason behind his early inspiration with the subject. One day, the young genius receives a call from the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC — where he had sent his ground-breaking invention, the ‘Perpetuum mobile’ — announcing him as the winner for a prestigious prize. Thus, begins the protagonist’s road trip across the States to receive his prize and give a speech at the Smithsonian. Along the way, Jeunet treats us to some magical moments. The panoramic landscapes of some scenes are spellbinding and the film’s 3D maximises the depth of field ideally. It helps that the 3D isn’t headache-inducing, but rather pleasing to the eye. In one scene, when Spivet is on his journey and hides inside a van, he comes across cardboard cut-outs of a family and other plastic objects, such as breakfast items, inside the van (presumably it’s a brand-new vehicle, being transported to a showroom). When a man comes looking for Spivet, he simply blends in and ‘becomes’ one of the plastic items, expertly camouflaging
himself. The entire sequence is the essence of Jeunet’s cinema — he takes ordinary things, be it household items or entire cities, and makes them extraordinary. Towards the end, Jeunet resorts to a bit of melodrama, but by then the film has already won us over. Above all, it features a fantastic central performance by Kyle Catlett, who holds the film together, much like Ellar Coltrane did in Richard Linklater’s masterpiece, Boyhood. It is a return to form for Jeunet too, who perhaps even outdoes Amélie, the film he is best remembered for internationally. Overall, The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet is a heartfelt gem, proving that summer blockbusters can cleverly utilise computer-generated imagery, without having to resort to exploding robots.
Rating: Schayan Riaz is a writer based in Germany. He tweets @schayanriaz
BOOK
Searching for rainbows Manal Farrukh Khan’s attempt to pen a poetic revolution falls short By AyeShA R Siddiqi
Poetry is tricky business. For a poet, opening up their innermost world to scrutiny is not an easy feat. Manal Farrukh Khan, however, with her new, self-published anthology, of rainbows, gutters and prisms, has boldly done just that. Yet, as we have come to see time and again, such valiant efforts do not always translate into a gratifying literary experience. From the very beginning, Khan sets the reader up for disappointment. The lowercase letters in the title, that echo E E Cummings in style, is a bit premature right at the beginning and the clichéd structure, a string of lofty words, preceded by ‘of’, has been massively overdone. Most poems fall in an ambiguous, uncomfortable grey territory between free verse and lyrical. And oftentimes, the rhyming seems forced and awkward, barring a few short phrases intentional. Her work clearly depicts a young, inexperienced writer trying out many voices, desperately searching for her own. The material covers issues that are larger-than-life and jarring such as identity crises, discrimination against minorities, unbearable social inequality, cultural taboos and abusive relationships among many others. These towering matters are condensed into pieces that are too short or inadequate to do them any justice. The imagery, the backbone of poetry, concocted by the letters on the page is therefore not sufficient. The main problem with this collection is that in her quest to be poetic and philosophical, Khan leaves out her readers entirely. Even the ‘about the author’ section abstractly speaks of the “infinite world that exists within”, and how that world differs for a doctor and a poet. For anyone who is curious, Khan wears both these hats, but even that is not explicitly clarified in a section that is primarily there to acquaint the writer with the reader. The short story at the end is the collection’s comparative saving grace. Free from forced poetic convention, the narrative flows well, making us believe that perhaps short stories are Khan’s forte. This
Available at Liberty Books for Rs400. particular one is told in a more natural, straightforward manner and manages to do what almost none of the poems could — transport the reader elsewhere. What one could look forward to from Khan in her next anthology, should there be one, is poetic ripening. If the poet is unhindered by the lack of response to this book, takes criticism constructively, and deepens her knowledge of metre and structure, there is scope for growth. Through effective use of structure, phrasing and word, Khan can harness her social conscience, grand ideas and fearlessness and certainly “create a ripple in an already turbulent sea.” — but next time. Ayesha Siddiqi is a University of Chicago alum and currently works for a fashion and lifestyle publication. She tweets @ayeshars88 AUGUST 24-30 2014
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MUSIC
Anything, but mechanical Everyday Robots is the kind of album that reveals something new each time you hear it BY SAMEEN AMER
British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Damon Albarn has helped shape alternative rock for nearly two-and-a-half decades. Following his widespread recognition with Britpop outfit Blur, virtual band Gorillaz, and the unnamed super-group generally known as The Good, The Bad, and The Queen, as well as an array of other musical ventures (including, but not limited to, opera and theatre soundtracks), he has made his official studio debut as a solo artist with the album Everyday Robots. For the most part, the album is melancholy enveloped in exotic rhythms. Albarn has joined forces with Richard Russell to write and produce this project (with additional production by Brian Eno). The record reflects on our tech-obsessed lives, exploring the contrast of nature versus technology in a gloomy set of 12 tracks.
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Save the joyous, upbeat ‘Mr Tembo’ (which he originally sang to a recently orphaned baby elephant in Tanzania, and yes, it is exactly as precious as that sounds), the album is mostly mellow and reflective, wading through contemplative lyrics and subdued melodies. Guests show up occasionally to offer support. Brian Eno adds vocals to the somewhat Bowie reminiscent ‘You and Me’ in which Albarn references his past drug use, and the piano adorned album closer ‘Heavy Seas of Love’, which additionally employs the talents of The Leytonstone City Mission Choir, who can also be heard M Tembo’. And Bat at for on the delightful ‘Mr. Nat Lashes singer Natasha Khan provides gentle, back-up vocals on ‘The Selfish Giant’, a beautiful ballad about a stagnant, failing relationship. th is technically his first Even though this solo album, we are already very familiar with an what he offers here won’t Albarn’s sound, and audien It may perhaps be a tad surprise his audience. mellow than usual, but its overall darker and mellower songwrit keep with the style of vibe and songwriting the renowned mu musician who created it. The album is well-mad well-made, and its production nicely complements the material. The sonic embellish embellishments work well to create alm eerie atmosphere and an almost ma it very clear that Everyday make Ro Robots wasn’t made for a c cursory listen. The record needs multiple spins for listeners to absorb its essence, get acquainted with
its complex tapestry and appreciate its many nuances. On the whole, Everyday Robots is a solid, personal effort that is moody and atmospheric. It creates a pensive ambience and engulfs you in its downcast feelings. But between contemplating the pitfalls of modern life and sampling Richard Buckley, the album starts to feel a bit self-indulgent. And it could have used some more up-tempo moments to contrast its many lows — not to take away from its sadness but to highlight it. As it stands, Everyday Robots won’t be able to capture the attention or interest of listeners who want something more immediate, but if you want a melancholic record that grows on you as you discover more of its subtle shades with each listen, then this album is well worth a try. Rating: Sameen Amer is a Lahore-based freelance writer and critic. She tweets @Sameen
British singer/songwriter Damon Albarn
FILM
A holy end In historic Christendom, Calvary was a place right outside Jerusalem where Jesus Christ was crucified. It has since come to symbolise the fulfillment of a prophecy and the ultimate act of God’s love and forgiveness for Christians globally. This theme of forgiveness is explored in the aptly titled Calvary, the latest cinematic feature from writer/director John Michael McDonagh after his wildly popular film, The Guard. However, unlike his previous venture, the director sought to deal with a subject matter that is weighty, serious and in the veins of a very dark comedy. And it is this deft balance of dark humour that gives the story a unique twist on the whodunnit genre. Calvary tells the story of Father James Lavelle, impeccably played by the towering Brendon Gleeson, as he spends what will be his last week alive as per the revelation of a parishioner in the confessional. The unnamed and out of sight parishioner confides in Lavelle that he was sexually abused as a child and is out to take revenge by killing him. Why him? Because Lavelle is a good priest and this murderous act of revenge would prove far worse to the church than killing a bad priest. The parishioner has given the magnanimous
priest a week to sort his affairs which sets in motion the events that will lead to the ultimate act as a father and a priest. In the week that follows, Lavelle meets his parishioners — played by an ensemble cast of notable Irish and international actors such as Chris Dowd, Kelly Reilly and Isacch de Bankole — and tries to be the voice of sanity as he investigates the identity of the murderous parishioner while trying to make amends with his chronically depressed daughter. An adulterous wife, an African car mechanic, a butcher with a penchant for domestic violence and a homosexual millionaire are just some of the garden variety crisp characters that McDonagh peppers the country of Sligo with for your cinematic amusement. Meanwhile, Lavelle tends to his sick dog and tries to get his suicidal daughter to open up to him about slashing her wrists, which she is apparently not doing right. It is this juxtaposition of wry, rambunctious matterof-fact statements from well-developed characters that leave the audience with a wry smile on their face. The final nail in the coffin one presumes would be Lavelle watching helplessly as his church is burnt to ashes.
What happens when you are killed for doing nothing wrong BY VIVIAN J XAVIER
However, a man’s soul is more forgiving than his mind and, in the end, Lavelle calls his daughter and finally makes amends. As the day of his scheduled execution draws near, Lavelle quietly struggles to summon the courage to face his ultimate fate. The juxtapositions and metaphors are carried forth in the visuals as well. Cinematographer, Larry Smith, paints the canvas as bright, wide-open spaces with lush greens and interiors as warm golden browns. The lighting plan is aptly fitting of the dichotomous situation, highlighting the inner turmoil of the virtuous priest as his life falls apart. McDonagh rarely disappoints as a writer, penning Ned Kelly and The Guard before Calvary. He wanted to make a movie that was more forgiving of priests amid the global uproar as sexual abuse allegations began surfacing, and forgiveness may just seep through after watching this gem.
Rating: Vivian J Xavier is a cinematographer. He tweets @vivianjxavier AUGUST 24-30 2014
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HEALTH
Trapped in a cycle It does not always have to be a painful period BY ISHRAT ANSARI DESIGN BY MUNIRA ABBAS
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For women whose lives are controlled by the Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a severe form of Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS), there are ways to make it less painful. The condition affects women physically and mentally, with different symptoms for at least seven to 10 days before menstruation, but available treatment options and simple lifestyle adjustments can now break this predictable pattern. Most researchers believe that PMDD is caused by hormone changes related to the menstrual cycle. “The disorder is called PMDD only when the woman is diagnosed with psychological symptoms. In most cases women visit a gynaecologist… and there is a proper diagnosis criterion for it,” says Karachi-based psychiatrist, Uzma Ambreen. There are three typical stages of life when women are more prone to developing the psychiatric disorder, she explains. It can either be before menstruation starts, after the birth of a child or around the time of menopause. According to an estimate, approximately 30% to 40% of women may have some symptoms of PMS, but PMDD is diagnosed only when they fulfill the psychological symptoms listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, says Ambreen, adding that the condition is surprisingly more common among women than major depressive disorders. But, Hafiza Jindaddi, a gynaecologist at Aga Khan Hospital, Karachi, disagrees, saying that other factors such as neuropathic weaknesses, caused by a type of nerve damage, also play an important role in triggering depression. “If a woman has [a] psychological tendency [towards depression], her condition might get worse if the disorder goes untreated,” says Jindaddi.
Common biological symptoms Weight gain
Common psychological symptoms
Dizziness
Depression
Headaches/migraines
Anxiety and tension
Constipation
Mood disorder
Bloating
Irritability
Breast tenderness and swelling
Insomnia
Tiredness
Hypersomnia (excessive
Nausea
daytime sleepiness)
Acne
Suicidal thoughts
on their relationships.
The damaging effects of PMDD If the psychological symptoms go untreated, they can get worse and not only impact mental and physical health, but also affect workplace productivity and damage relationships. Working women, in particular, need to opt for self-assessment and consult a doctor if they feel bothered by the symptoms, suggests Jindaddi. “In a number of cases the duration of PMS increases if it goes untreated. The PMDD symptoms start three days ahead [of menstruation], but with time, this can extend to up to five days or a week and then 10 days,” adds Ambreen.
Coping with the condition Living in denial PMDD is common across the globe but in Pakistan, most women dismiss the symptoms as a normal part of menstruating, says Ambreen. “They do not consider it a disease that should be treated or addressed. They take all psychological symptoms for granted and think it is period time, so it’s going to happen,” she adds. Most women approach a general practitioner or a gynaecologist when their depression lasts for longer periods and they find it hard to get out of bed or even function properly, causing a strain
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If the condition presents extreme psychological symptoms, it can be treated with anti-depressants, says Ambreen. Medicines are prescribed according to the symptoms urges Jindaddi, adding that evening primrose oil, widely available at pharmacies, can help reduce the pains. Simple lifestyle adjustments, such as regular exercise, can also help minimise the symptoms. Cutting back caffeine can help reduce anxiety and irritability. T
Ishrat Ansari works at The Express Tribune Karachi desk. She tweets @Ishrat_ansari
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