The Express Tribune Magazine - March 9

MARCH 9-15 2014

Act

Double

Saeed and Jung’s rising stardom indicates a shift in the mindset of the Pakistani audience

MARCH 9-15 2014

Feature

Fee Rupee Not everyone puts a price on education

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Travel

Restoring Heights A pilgrimage to Borobudur temple — Indonesia’s best kept secret

Cover Story

Double Act

In conversation with Sanam Saeed and Sanam Jung

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24

36 Regulars

8 People & Parties: Out and about with beautiful people

40 Review: Across the Seas: Incorrigible Drift

42 Health: Alopecia areata — causes and prevention

Magazine In-charge: Sarah Munir and Sub-Editors: Dilaira Mondegarian and Zehra Qureshi Creative Team: Essa Malik, Jamal Khurshid, Samra Aamir, Kiran Shahid, Munira Abbas, S Asif Ali & Talha Ahmed Khan Publisher: Bilal A Lakhani. Executive Editor: Muhammad Ziauddin. 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

Aliya Chinoy launches her album Almost Dawn in Karachi

Asma and Almitra

Asma

Maha

Beenish, Muneizeh and Mehvish

Shazia

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PHOTOS COURTESY IDEAS EVENTS PR

iran Aliya and K

PEOPLE & PARTIES Sarah and Mariam Gandapur host a brunch at the Patio restaurant, Lahore

h a friend

ariam wit Hina and M

Sarah Gandapur

Saima Azhar

Unaiza

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Noori Saira and Yasmeen

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PEOPLE & PARTIES Lala Textiles and Fashion Pakistan Council host a lunch to celebrate the start of Fashion Pakistan Week 6 at CafĂŠ Aylanto, Karachi

PHOTOS COURTESY LOTUS PR

hri

nam Chaud

h Lala and Sa

leem, Danis Wardha Sa

Mahin Hussain

Iman Ali

Nomi Ansari and Ayaan Maheen Karim and Nubain Ali

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PEOPLE & PARTIES

Sindh festival holds a fashion festival in Karachi

Sehr Muneer Kazmi

us Rashid

Alyzeh Imtiaz

rooqui

Sharmila Fa

Bakhtawar Bhutto and Bilawal Bhutto

lid

Natasia Kha

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PHOTOS COURTESY TAKEII

d and Sund

Sussi Rashi

PEOPLE & PARTIES n and Rasheeda

Mansha Pasha

Zainab Mohammad

Jia

Shehla Chatoor

Ayesha Tammy Haq and

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Nabila Maqsood

Sherry Rehman

PHOTOS COURTESY TAKEII

Ayesha Toor

Laeeq Akbar, Sadia Kha

A

Doubl

Fazil Mousavi pumps hope and colour into the ethnically fragmented lives of Hazara children

24 MARCH 9-15 2014

Act

e

Saeed and Jung’s rising stardom indicates a shift in the mindset of the Pakistani audience

BY SALIMA FEERASTA DESIGN BY SAMRA AAMIR

At a glance, the dark dusky Sanam Saeed and the doe-eyed, girl-next-door Sanam Jung may have little in common. But the fact that both these young actresses have managed to carve out a space for themselves with the Pakistani audience says a lot about the evolution of local viewership.

The viewers are now more accepting of nuanced storylines that do not neatly stack characters in black and white, and allow room for a more realistic portrayal of characters. This has also allowed female leads like Jung and Saeed to experiment with a greater range of roles, instead of flitting between being the vindictive vixen or the damsel that needs to be saved.

In an exclusive interview, The Express Tribune catches up with these two leading ladies to learn more about their experiences, goals and how it feels to be a catalyst in their own right.

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COVER STORY

Saeed

Sanam

The 29-year-old Saeed is an accomplished actress who has won critical acclaim for her work in theatre, film and on television. She started modeling when she was 16, following up with several commercials. She has also been a background singer on Coke Studio and has starred in several Made for Stage musical theatre productions including Chicago, Mamma Mia and more recently Grease. She was also impressive on stage in Carnage and Dhaani. Saeed recently won a Best Supporting Actress award for her debut film performance in Dil Mera Dharkan Teri. On television, Saeed has become known for her portrayal of progressive characters, receiving both public and critical acclaim.

Q. What’s your family like?

I am one of four siblings; I have two brothers and a sister. My mother is a teacher and my father is a retired interior designer. Both my father and my taaya (uncle) are closet comedians and great mimics and I think I get my comic timing from them.

My parents have both been very supportive of my career. We moved back from England where I was born when I was six or seven and I have been attracted to the stage and performing arts from a young age. They have always understood that I am passionate about acting and have encouraged me throughout my career.

Q. What is the hardest part of acting on television?

The most challenging part of acting for television is the lack of rehearsals.

I am used to layering up a character for film or stage and I like to think about how my character would show emotion — happiness, sorrow or anger. Each character’s responses are different from each other and from my own.

The schedule is too hectic in television to allow time for rehearsal so I like to ask for the script beforehand. Even then, it would be wonderful to have more time to go through the scenes with your co-star and bounce ideas off each other.

Q. Which is your favourite role of the ones you have played on TV? I think the public has liked Kashaf in Zindagi Gulzar Hai but my personal favourite is Zoya in Talkhiyan because it was such a challenging role. Talkhiyan was a remake of The God of Small Things in which I played a Syrian Christian single mother. It was a dream role for me and a project that I was proud to be part of.

Q. How do you feel the public reacts to you after your on-screen performances?

I am incredibly thankful for the love and acclaim I have received from the

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public. I think that seeing actresses in their living rooms week after week helps people feel comfortable with them, but it’s difficult for the public in general to differentiate between the character and the person. People constantly come up to me and invariably call me by one of my on-screen names. I sometimes find myself changing the way I dress for public appearances based on what I feel my fan base expects, even though I want to maintain my own identity.

Q. You are known for playing unconventional roles. Is this a conscious choice or are these the roles that are offered to you?

Theatre and films are my passion because they offer greater scope for intense character exploration. However, Pakistani television today is tackling some very difficult issues and offers excellent writing and direction. Television also has a very wide outreach in society and offers the opportunity to be socially responsible through the characters I play.

I have generally played very strong women on a mission, who are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in. The only exception is my anti-heroine in Kadoorat. I chose to do that role to challenge myself as an actor and to remind myself that I can be versatile.

Q. What excites you about TV serials?

I relish the opportunity to be a role model for young girls, particularly middle class girls fighting repressive fathers, brothers and society in general. I like my serials to have some sort of moral or message and I like my characters to question societal injustices. Change happens incrementally and by taking difficult issues into people’s living rooms, it’s possible to spark debate and subtly shift mindsets.

Q. What’s you biggest weakness as an actress?

I’ve never been particularly careful about my on-screen appearance. With better lighting, close-ups and better production in general I’ve realised that it’s important to pay attention to your looks. Grooming and styling can make a huge difference to the way you look on-screen and I’ve realised that this is as important as your acting performance. I’m now being more particular about my hair and makeup and about the way I dress.

Q. Where do you see yourself in the future?

I would like the opportunity to continue to grow as an actress. I hope that I will continue to be offered challenging roles no matter what the medium; whether it is theatre, film or television.

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Jung

Sanam

The 26-year-old Jung started off as a VJ on AAG TV and never wanted to act, although she received repeated offers from various production houses. She dabbled in a telefilm for HUM TV but when AAG TV closed down, she decided to take the plunge with her first serial. She was an instant success as Sila in Dil e Muztar and has legions of fans who fell in love with her sweet on-screen persona. Along with several serials, she also has multiple brand endorsements and commercials under her belt.

Q. What’s your family like?

I am the eldest of four sisters. We have a lot of fun but we also fight like crazy; I love them to bits and couldn’t do without them. My parents are very supportive although my father was initially concerned that I should complete my BBA since I started my VJ career during my second year at college. I actually completed my degree while hosting so I’m grateful to him for encouraging me to continue with my studies.

Q. What is the hardest part of acting on television?

I found the romantic scenes very difficult at first. I am a shy person and that’s one of the reasons I would blush when making on-screen declarations of love. I guess I’m lucky the shyness suited my role.

Crying on-screen was also an issue to begin with and I used a lot of glycerin but now I am learning how to tap into my own emotions.

Q. You are a TV host as well as an actress. Which do you prefer?

Hosting, any day! It is much more fun. I can be myself and I can be spontaneous. I don’t have to dress up like someone else. In live shows mistakes are glossed over, gone in a minute. There is a lot more work involved in drama serials. There are endless retakes if you make a mistake and you have to become someone else which takes a lot of effort.

Q. How do you feel the public reacts to you after your onscreen performances?

I am blessed to have received a very positive response from the audience. People I meet tend to think that I am like my characters.

Aunties will call me by my on-screen name and tell me, “You should speak up, don’t be afraid!” After five minutes with me they realise that I am not at all like my timid on-screen character.

Q. You are shooting your third serial and you’ve played a good, innocent heroine in each. Do you think it’s time to try something different?

I consciously chose not to do negative roles when I was starting out because I feel the public always associates you with your first role. Also, I am still a novice actress and I wanted to start with roles that I could relate to. That said, I have been offered a lot of similar roles after Dil e Muztar. I

28 FEBRUARY MARCH 9-1516-22 20142014

don’t want to fall into a stereotype and I also am wary of overexposing myself, especially since I’m still in my learning phase. However, I do eventually want to attempt different characters.

Q. What excites you about TV serials?

The most important things are a good writer and a good director. It’s great if you work with an established production house because the production quality is that much better. In terms of the types of serials, I personally like love stories because they are fun and sweet.

Q. What’s your biggest weakness as an actress?

I can’t remember dialogues at all and I’ve ruined countless takes because I’ve mixed up my lines. There was one scene in Dil e Muztar where I had to sweep a floor and then deliver a dialogue. I kept forgetting the lines and had to redo the scene seven or eight times because the director was adamant that we wouldn’t take a cut before the dialogue. You could have eaten off that floor by the time I was done with that scene!

Q. Where do you see yourself in the future?

I am confused because I’m not sure what I want to do in the long term. I want to pick and choose my projects and I want to grow as an actor. I may continue acting in the future or I may be doing something else. I feel it’s too early in my career to be able to say.

Pakistani dramas have undergone a renaissance in the past decade, and budding actresses like Saeed and Jung have used this shift not only to establish themselves in the industry but also to break stereotypes around what the ‘Pakistani woman’ looks, thinks or acts like.

Diversity is celebrated; there is no longer a single template that every female in the country aspires to fit into and trendsetters like Jung and Saeed are at the forefront of this change.

The Audience speaks: “I love story lines where they address important issues in the society — black magic, female children (as opposed to male), multiple marriages and the feudal lifestyle (especially how it uses and abuses women). What I don’t like is the women’s desperation to get married in many stories, but I guess that’s still a very strong negative in our society. There should be more faces though — it seems that every drama looks the same because the actors are the same.” Nezihe Hussain “There has been a change in the way women are portrayed. The days of women being the mazloom bechari are over.” Mashkoor ul Hasan “I like that the Pakistani drama scene has shifted from the repetitive conservative story lines to much more controversial but definitely more worldly issues.” Ayesha Sheikh “Loving the more liberal take on female outlook and also getting closer to gender equality. Still too far, yet closer than before.” Fatima Afridi

PHOTOS: PUBLICITY

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Oxford-grad Salima Feerasta is a social commentator and lover of style in any form or fashion. She tweets @karachista MARCH 9-15 2014

Fee Rupee Not everyone puts a price on education

BY NOREEN MUMTAZ PHOTOS BY AYESHA MIR DESIGN BY ASIF ALI

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A single loaf of bread may cost nearly six rupees, but education at the Amal-e-Danish school located in Gadap, Karachi, is even cheaper. The nearly 800 students at the school, each pay a fee of only one rupee per month.

The school was set up in 1984 by Parveen Rao and her friends as a university project for lower-income children in the Korangi area. At the time, they not only taught the children for free but also offered them a stipend of Rs30 per day as an incentive.

However, as the city’s conditions deteriorated and the area became volatile, the school had to close its doors after a decade.

Despite immense financial and social constraints, Rao decided to restart the initiative in 2004 using her personal savings. Even though the school was set up in a different location this time, its premise remained the same. The students, however, were now required to pay a fee of one rupee per month. “The idea behind this was to preserve these children’s self-esteem. They should not think of themselves as charity cases,” explains Rao. The same principle is also maintained in the classrooms at the Amal-e-Danish school. “We do a background check on each of our students to assess their financial standing,” explains one of the teachers. “No one is scolded or penalised if they cannot get a certain book or stationery. We want to

build confidence in these students and make them feel like equals in society.”

Despite a minimal cost structure, the quality of education at the school is at par with other private schools. Rao follows the Maria Montessori system that is followed in most private schools in Karachi and lays a strong emphasis on art and recreation along with academics. The classrooms are aptly equipped and students are also taught computing skills which pave the way for multiple job opportunities.

For children who have missed out on early schooling, there is the Tez Raftar (fast-track programme) which completes five years (grades one to five) of education in three years and promotes them to the sixth grade. This helps those who were working or were out of school to catch up with their peers.

The school also aims to become a change agent in society through programmes such as the Taleem-eBalighan in which students from the sixth, seventh and eighth grades are required to teach English, Urdu and Math to another individual as a core component of their class. “Many of these children have taught their mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts and neighbours to read and write as a result of this programme,” says Rao. Regular records of the person under tutelage are maintained by the school and the student’s promotion to the next grade is determined by the performance of those who have been taught by them. “This

FEATURE The idea behind charging one rupee was to preserve these children’s self-esteem. They should not think of themselves as charity cases Founder, Parveen Rao

The computer lab at the Amal-e-Danish school.

A student showing his father’s notebook to Parveen Rao. This is part of an initiative where students are required to teach another individual in order to be promoted to the next grade. provides them with an incentive to teach with thorough dedication and put in their maximum,” she says.

Rao has also created a workbook with domestic mathematics and reading exercises in English and Urdu with numbers of local buses and names of hospitals and markets to enhance learning that will be useful in day-to-day life. “Our purpose is to not just change one child but enhance their entire surrounding. Education should create a ripple effect,” she says.

The school gates remain open to its students even after their education has been completed. For those wishing to pursue a higher education, the Amal-e-Danish school provides loans to help them bear the cost. The students can repay the loan in small installments over a flexible period of time by teaching at the school and getting a certain fraction of their salaries deducted. This initiative has specially encouraged young women to continue their education as the families are not made to compromise on the income of a working member.

The graduates of this unique one rupee school have gone on to pursue their higher education, built careers in teaching and accounting and set up small businesses.

The school has also opened branches in Surjani Town, Ka34 rachi and Tehsil Ferozwala in Lahore. Along with expanding MARCH 9-15 2014

Second grade students drawing tigers during their fine arts class.

Students line up in the courtyard to leave the school premises as the bell rings signalling the end of the day.

A student stands in front of the class and reads out from the school’s English course book.

the school’s operation, one of Rao’s primary focus areas is to break barriers towards education and increase attendance rates at the school. For this, regular surveys are carried out from time to time to get an insight into the family’s problems and attitudes and counsel them accordingly.

The school is entirely run on donations at the moment which are often tight and hard to procure. “I am not comfortable with asking people for donations so no one knows that they can contribute and help us out,” explains Rao. “We only have three donors at the moment because of which we have to manage in a low budget and that makes running the school extremely difficult.”

But the tough ride has done little to dampen Rao’s spirits and she continues her crusade with the same zest.

“When I started initially, my aim was to educate a hundred children. Once that was done, I realised there were another hundred who needed me and here I am.”

Noreen Mumtaz is a student at the Limkokwing University, Malaysia.

Restoring Heights A pilgrimage to Borobudur temple — Indonesia’s best kept secret TEXT AND PHOTOS BY FAZAL KHALIQ

“In this bright future, you can’t forget your past,” says Bob Marley. And if the past is locked in the crevices of magnificent architecture, such as the Borobudur Temple in Indonesia, acquainting oneself with history becomes an absolute pleasure.

Tourists and pilgrims are ascending to the top platform of Borobudur temple by its main entrance which is on the eastern side.

The Borobudur temple, located at the centre of the Java Island, was built during the eighth and ninth centuries, during the reign of Syailendra’s dynasty. The main temple comprises a stupa, built in three tiers, that reflects the Indian influence in the region at the time. Along with the towering edifice, the majestic stone carvings on the temple walls depicting Buddha’s life transport you to another era.

For a historical site to become part of the world heritage list, UNESCO has a unique criterion. The temple satisfies the following three of the ten: to represent a masterpiece of human genius, to exhibit an important interchange of development in architecture and be an outstanding example of significant stage(s) in human history. The lotus-type formation and the ten mounting terraces crowned by a large bell-shaped dome exemplify Buddhist architecture. The Borobudur temple grounds are a symbol of Indonesia’s art and architecture during the early eighth and late ninth centuries, and lastly, the 10 mounting terraces of the entire structure illustrate the 10 successive stages that the Bodhisattva (enlightened beings) must achieve before proceeding to Buddhahood — the state of perfect enlightenment in Buddhism.

Even though the temple is considered a prime tourism spot now, it was not always this glorious. In fact, it was buried under layers of earth and covered by thick jungle growth for decades. The temple was finally restored by UNESCO with the help of many volunteers between 1973 and 1982. Experts believe that a large volcanic eruption may have caused the burial of the temple and simultaneously driven away the local population. In 1814, Thomas Stamford Raffles, the British governor of the Java Island was informed about the lost monument in the jungle.

HC Cornelius, a Dutch engineer, was sent off to investigate further. Two months and several rounds of razing trees and wild vegetation later, parts of the temple were revealed. It wasn’t until 1885, that the temple was unearthed completely. Since then the Borobudur temple has gone through several restoration programmes to reclaim its historical value.

Since its restoration, the number of visitors per day range from 3,000 to 7,000, including both locals and foreigners. However, during peak season the number increases to 40,000 visitors per day. The temple also hosts the holy festival of Vesak, during the full moon sighting 37 MARCH 9-15 2014

View of Borobudur temple from the south-east side.

38 Stairs of Borobudur through arches of Kala.

MARCH 9-15 2014

Bell-shaped stupas at Borobudur overlooking a mountain in Magelang.

A carved relief stone at the Borobudur temple. >>Digging deeper • An architect named Gunadharma supervised the build-up of the Borobudur temple which took 75 years to complete without using any computer assistance.

• Borobudur temple has 100 water gutters in the form of Makara (elephant-headed fish statue) which act as drainage channels and also enhance the beauty of the structure. In the past, when rainwater ran through the Makara, it gave an illusion of a fountain.

• Borobudur temple is a giant puzzle composed of two million volcanic stone cubes which are carved in such a way that they fit perfectly into each other.

Buddha’s statue at Borobudur temple.

in the month of May, and attracts pilgrims and tourists from across the world. The entrance fee per tourist is $20 (approximately Rs3,000) and there is a special discount of $10 (approximately Rs1,050) for students.

The income generated through this fee is used for the temple’s maintenance and to empower local communities.

For pilgrims, the journey is a long one.

They start at the base of the monument, following a path circumambulating the monument to ascend to the top, through the three levels of Buddhist cosmology: Kamadhatu (the world of desire), Rupadhatu (the world of forms) and Arupadhatu (the world of formless). The temple comprises 2,672 relief panels, and if arranged in parallel lines, the length will add up

to six kilometres. However, the magical view during the climb is enough to keep one going. “When I saw this ancient monument, very strong feelings of wonder and excitement ran through me as it [the temple] is really beautiful and mysterious and I have never seen such a gigantic Buddhist temple before,” said a German tourist, Bendikt.

In order to preserve the sanctity of the temple, visitors also have to adhere to a strict dress code, consisting of a sarong provided by the temple management.

Other restrictions include shoes, miniskirts and shorts. Apart from tourists and Buddhists pilgrims, the Borobudur Buddhist complex is frequently visited by students who not only walk in the footsteps of the past but also feel a sense of pride in their history. A local student, Widiasti Suari, added, “We found the archaeological site of Borobudur temple very interesting and [the trip] added to our knowledge.”

While Indonesia may be synonymous with breathtaking beaches and hospitality, most tourists fail to discover its best kept secret. The Borobudur temple gives you a chance to not only witness Buddha’s legacy but also climb the monument that symbolises different levels of wisdom one must attain to reach Nirvana — an experience that could perhaps end up changing your life forever. T Fazal Khaliq is a Swat-based reporter for The Express Tribune. He tweets @FazalJustice MARCH 9-15 2014

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BOOK

Journey extraordinaire

Sayeed Hasan Khan flirts with politics and drifts across continents to form meaningful and lifelong bonds OUR CORRESPONDENT

“An alternate title for this book should have been Staying in Touch.”

This is how John Austin, a former British MP and patron of a number of causes, introduces Sayeed Hasan Khan’s Across the Seas: Incorrigible Drift. Based on the author’s close association with countless influential figures around the globe and his ability to seamlessly form bonds with people, Austin states the obvious without delving into any further analysis.

Born in Oudh, Khan has not only met an array of personalities but also travelled extensively across the globe. Starting his journey in India, he traces his footsteps to Pakistan and later in the West. In Vienna, described as “the city full of coffee houses,” Khan meets with members of the socialist youth movement — a visit that changed the course of his life. But even in this story, there is a sub-plot about how and why he travelled to Vienna, or for that matter, to Europe. Gifted with the craft of narrating stories, Khan weaves a web of adventures, one leading to another.

In 2011, after living for 50 years in Europe, primarily in Vienna and London, Khan returns to Karachi. Frustrated by the political situation in the country, he takes the sea route to London in 1961 and while on the ship, he shares the experience with none other than Quratulain Haider and her mother Begum Sajjad Hyder.

Khan’s Across the Seas is peppered with unending encounters and incidents that shape his life and make for an interesting read. The predominant theme is how he is helped time and again by friends and

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Author Sayeed Hasan Khan MARCH 9-15 2014

Published by Ushba Publishing, Karachi, and available for Rs1,000.

well-wishers who relentlessly assist him in pursuing his dreams. In London, for instance, a city of solitude for Khan, a friend comes by to send him to Germany where he further expands his pool of friends and acquaintances. In many ways, Khan lives the life every young Pakistani dreams of living — travelling and living in Europe on a shoe string budget but with so much to see and do.

In all the places the writer has visited and lived, the one recurring theme is the number of Pakistanis and Indians he meets and stays in touch with. This way, Khan is never far from his homeland and always abreast with what is happening at home. There are some anecdotes that are hard to miss, and more importantly to forget, especially the one where he enters into an argument with a man over the US involvement in Vietnam at the Istanbul airport and ends up, to his horror, sitting next to him on the flight. The fact that they end up becoming good friends suggests how easily Khan can maneuver his way into people’s hearts and lives.

The chapters of the book are named after destinations that have come to hold a special meaning in Khan’s life. From Istanbul to Hampstead, London, Khan has carved out memories associated with the people he met everywhere he went. Although Across the Seas resembles a travelogue, it is much more than that. It is an autobiography of a man in whom, in the words of Mark Tully, “The East and West do meet.” T

The Mane Problem For patients suffering from alopecia areata, all hope is not lost

BY ISHRAT ANSARI

DESIGN BY TALHA AHMED KHAN

Curing alopecia areata, a skin disorder which leads to clear patches of baldness on the scalp, is no longer impossible. Health experts with different approaches to medicine, all corroborate that the cosmetic problem which can impact emotional health, causing patients to feel unattractive, can be treated in more ways than one — if not completely cured.

“It is an autoimmune disease [caused by] mostly internal factors rather than external ones. It is [an] unpredictable disease, but can be prevented by taking care of personal hygiene,” says assistant professor and consultant dermatologist, Dr Sadia Masood, at the Aga Khan University.

“Good hygiene strengthens our immune system.”

“To prevent and avoid multiplication of the bald patches one should keep separate towels for the head and face as it can spread to the moustache, eyebrows and beard,” says Hakeem Rehan Alam, who has been running his clinic for several decades in Clifton and Federal B Area, Karachi. According to Alam, the disease is contagious and can spread from the scalp to other parts of the body.

But not all health experts are of the same opinion. According to Dr Naveed Ali Baloch, consultant dermatologist at the Institute of Skin Diseases in Regal, Saddar, alopecia areata has nothing to do with hygiene and can affect anyone, especially those with a family history of autoimmune disorders such as diabetes or thyroid disease. “It all depends on how the immune system reacts,” he says, adding that the disease is not contagious.

While many trace hair fall to stress, Alam claims, “This disease has nothing to do with it.” Dr Baloch also agrees, “One can suffer from stress as a result of hair loss but it’s not a cause.” According to Baloch, it is an uncommon 42 disease and out of every 100 people, only one or two sufMARCH 9-15 2014

>>Types The three types of this disease are; the commonly occurring alopecia areata in which smooth patches of various sizes occur only on the scalp, alopecia areata totalis which results in total hair loss on the scalp and alopecia areata universalis, the rarest form of the disease, in which the entire body experiences hair loss. fer from it. But Masood claims the numbers are slightly higher.

Although the disease affects both genders, more men suffer from it as compared to women. According to Masood, even children as young as two years can suffer from alopecia areata. While there is consensus on treatment, the disease can reoccur. “Around 90% of the people who are treated, do not suffer from the disease again,” says Baloch. In many cases the hair loss is reversed even without treatment by the end of the fourth or sixth month, or after a few years.

“One should follow a proper diet plan to prevent further patches on the scalp. Patches multiply if one continues eating beef, chicken, fish, eggs etc,” says Alam. Endorsing his treatment plan, Dr Shahnaz Alvi, who has been practicing homeopathy and running a clinic for 20 years, says, “A proper diet plan helps control the disease and prevents it from returning.” While a number of treatments are known to aid hair growth, they don’t necessarily work for all patients. T Ishrat Ansari works at The Express Tribune Karachi desk.

She tweets @Ishrat_ansari