The Express Tribune hi five - May 3

Ms MAY 3, 2015

ISSUE NO. 150

Lights, camera, action!

The lives of female directors of Pakistan

2

page

Rendezvous: Heena Jadav Sunil page

6

inside Lifestyle —

Get ready for spring weddings

Domestic goddess —

Go cracker crazy!

Section In-Charge: Dilaira Dubash Sub-Editors: Amna Hashmi Nisma Chauhan Designer: Umar Waqas Feedback: women@tribune.com.pk

8

page

The enterprising Masarrat Misbah

2

Ms

The buzz

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, MAY 3, 2015

numerous plays before taking up the responsibility of directorship during her studies. Since then, the talented Fiza has not only conducted several plays but also founded Theatre Waalay, a non-commercial theatre entity working from Islamabad to entertain theatre enthusiasts and eradicate the stigma attached to the profession. “It is understandable why parents misconstrue theatre,” says Fiza, adding that song and dance is the main reason behind it. “Fortunately, the quality of our plays has improved immensely over the past few years and spurred the number of female actors available.”

Salma and Fiza might have had different journeys into the field but they are united by an innate passion for what they do. Neither of them received any formal training nor studied theatre before venturing forth — they started out as actors who progressed to directorship. Salma relied heavily on information from the internet and a few workshops but her real training was her experience of studying psychology for her masters degree. “Psychology helps me explain my characters to the actors better,” she explains. Fiza, on the other hand, draws on her time as a principal at a private school in Islamabad to help manage large groups of people with ease.

T

he 31-year-old Salma Mir often has a difficult time convincing people of the legitimacy of her career.

When she tells them that she works in theatre, most of them don’t take her seriously. ‘No, what do you really do?’ is the most common reaction she receives.

In spite of this, Salma continues to work tirelessly in a field that

By Ans Khurram most Pakistanis discredit. She is a Design by Hira Fareed member of an exclusive group of local artists who conduct theatre productions at a commercial level.

Currently, the head of the theatre wing at Lush, an Islamabad-based event and talent management company, Salma began her career back in 2006 — a time when performing arts were a taboo for men, let alone women. “Pakistanis assume girls working in arts are corrupt and that theatre will ruin their character,” claims Salma. “Hence, when I started off, there were a handful of female directors in Islamabad.” But as luck would have it, Salma’s true calling always lay behind the curtains.

“I had never thought of joining theatre and had a rather unconventional introduction to it,” she shares. “A friend of mine was an assistant producer, desperate for an actress to feature in one of his plays. He asked me to audition in exchange for a can of Red Bull!” And so, one audition and a phone call later, Salma’s life changed completely.

But not all local directors stumble upon their big breaks easily; many like 44-year-old Fiza Hasan had to go through years of hard work before breaking through. As an avid member of the dramatics society at Kinnaird College in Islamabad, she participated in

MsT raises the curtain on the lives of Pakistan’s female theatre directors

3

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, MAY 3, 2015

Looking to become a director?

• •

But not all is dark and desolate in Pakistani theatre today. With our flourishing media and society’s growing acceptance and interest in plays, movies and drama serials, many talented Pakistani women are entering the entertainment industry.

For instance, 24-year-old Sonia Ashraf became inspired by direction after watching the Jurassic Park movies as a child. “Initially, I wanted a career in films but my parents wanted me to study theatre if I wanted to continue with directing,” shares Sonia.

“When I began doing theatre, though, it consumed me completely, so much so that I decided to shift domains.” Sonia currently directs plays and teaches diction at the National Academy of Performing Arts in Karachi.

Keeping Sonia under consideration, one might assume that younger generations are at liberty to pursue a career in theatre. But is that really the case? Has society’s perception of performing arts evolved within the gap of a generation? “We still possess the doctor-or-engineer mentality when it comes to careers, but it is slowly getting better,” says Sonia. “In fact, it has now become the doctoror-engineer-or-lawyer mentality,” she adds, grinning.

Much like Salma and Fiza, she too has to assert her career choice. “People seem to think most artists are homeless,” says Sonia. “Thankfully, my parents are very supportive but external pressures do take their toll. For instance, people often ask how my parents could have allowed me to do what I do.” But Salma too had to face some backlash from her family.

“Many times, my neighbours asked my father how he lets me stay out at rehearsals and recordings till two o’clock in the morning.”

Sonia attributes this attitude towards theatre to stage plays, suggesting that people tend to confuse the two. “Stage play humour is a bit vulgar and therefore carries a negative stigma that has infected theatre as a whole.” There is also a lack of comprehension when it comes to the role of a director, be it for theatre, films or music. Fiza explains, “The director is like a painter and the project is his painting. What the audience sees is the final product of his or her vision.”

The issue of gender and sexism is also prevalent in the theatre industry.

“Many of my clients and colleagues thought I wouldn’t be able to commit enough time to my work, because I am a woman,” says Salma. “They said my work

• •

hours would be restricted or I would get busy with familial commitments, but I have never compromised my professional life for work. When the lights are on, only your skill matters.” Sonia highlights another aspect of gender bias. “Men don’t like taking orders from a female.” For Fiza, sexism was less of an issue compared to the general apathy of some of her actors. “Most people coming into theatre are youngsters looking for a good time, rather than producing good art,” she laments. “Many actors are too passive and hardly commit to their roles.”

Salma, Fiza and Sonia all believe that Pakistan still has a long way to go before it can open its heart to art completely. “It is still perceived as a waste of time or just another form of entertainment,” says Fiza, adding

A scene from Salma’s play Chicago.

that art is an expression of who we are, how we live and where we are headed. Salma believes Pakistanis fail to own their artists like other nations do which ultimately hinders the growth of the industry. “Actors represent Pakistan too,” she urges. Additonally, the lack of financial support from government and corporate sponsors makes matters worse. Many institutions remain vary of associating themselves with an industry which, according to Fiza, “Doesn’t attract the audience that the sponsors want.” As a result, many directors, including Salma, have had to cut down their fees in order to pay for the expenses of actors and the sets.

Nonetheless, things are definitely looking up, albeit slowly. “We have to be mindful of the censorship board, but, overall theatre is blossoming,” says Sonia. “Political satires are now common. People are gradually warming up to it.” Salma offers her roster of actors as an indication of the growth in the industry. “When I started, only about a 100 people or so would show up for auditions. Now, I have over 4,500 aspiring actors in my database!”

Sonia’s performance from the play Evam Indrajit.

A scene from Dagh Dagh Ujala by Fiza.

PHOTOS: FILE

4

Ms

En vogue

Ayesha Ellahi’s latest formals are ideal for the spring and summer wedding season Designer: Ayesha Ellahi Makeup: Nabila Photography and art direction: Umair bin Nisar Model: Abeer Rizvi

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, MAY 3, 2015

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, MAY 3, 2015

5

6

Ms

Lifestyle

By Amna Hashmi

|

Design by Eesha Azam

“I am pathetically romantic,” says the delectable Heena as she scribbles down well-wishes on a copy of Equinox for me. Considering that she is the brains behind Pakistan’s first English language literary venture into romance, I am hardly surprised. There is something uniquely amorous — almost childlike — in Heena’s discourse which gives away the hopeless fantasiser within her. Equinox happens to be the outcome, the first installment of a trilogy penned by her in an attempt to fill the void and make way for local fantasy writers.

“It was only during publishing that I discovered no one here has ever tried their hand at romantic fiction,” shares Heena disapprovingly. “Pakistanis have always read romantic novels but in private. Writing one was simply not an option! I have actually been called the ‘bravest woman alive’ for pursuing this genre in a country like Pakistan!” Perhaps it was this desire to challenge social norms which prompted Heena towards Equinox but she claims her writing is more of a service to readers than anything else. “Most Pakistani authors focus on socio-political non-fiction and I wanted to offer a break from that,” explains Heena. “For me, writing is an escape from the harsh realities of everyday life and that’s how my readers will hopefully regard Equinox as well.”

Set in the Victorian-village of Cold Ash, Equinox narrates the story of naïve orphan April Rivers who has made peace with her life at a local Catholic boarding until she encounters the enigmatic and supernatural Lord Richard Chase. For the world, Richard is a wealthy philanthropist known for his alluring charm and wit but for April, he soon becomes a mania to feed her aching soul — a soul which has already been claimed by another. So begins the saga of two star-crossed lovers, trying to alter fate. After all, loving a mortal girl sold to another demon is not only impossible, it is forbidden.

Unsurprisingly, much of Equinox shares striking similarities to Heena’s personal experiences at Sophia High Convent School in Rajasthan, India, where she studied before moving to Karachi in 1996. “A lot of the instances I have written stem from things I experienced as a youngster,” says Heena. “April, for example, attends a boarding school because I myself am from one. Similarly, my whimsical nature wouldn’t settle for a less-than-perfect male protagonist and so, Richard became supernatural. For me, my characters emulate life. They are alive and ready to be explored.”

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, MAY 3, 2015

The starry-eyed fervour with which Heena speaks is somewhat of a shock to me as she tells me about the whirlwind her life has been. She speaks fondly of her times in India, prior to the divorce of her parents which prompted her Pakistani-born mother to move back. “Many people question how I moved from India to Pakistan and I tell them that this has always been my home,” says Heena. “I am Pakistani by birth and nationality but Indian by origin. Both nations are my identity.” Soon after returning to Pakistan, however, the then 19-year-old Heena joined UK-based theatre group Bharti Vidya Bhavan, conducting plays across Britain for women’s awareness. “My time in England was a great learning experience as I gained a great deal of exposure and truly understood what writing means,” Heena reminisces. “Unfortunately, I had to return in 2006 as my mother took ill, suddenly.”

Upon her return, Heena enrolled in an undergraduate course at Karachi University, majoring in commerce and business. “But my chief focus always stood at reading, theatre, dance and literature and I began to write plays for Beaconhouse School System (BSS),” she admits. “After the demise of my mother and father (in 2011 and 2012, respectively), it was only writing which alleviated the depressive state I was in.

When writing, I go into a trance wherein nothing and no one can affect me,” she adds.

In retrospect, perhaps working at BSS was Heena’s saving grace as it was through a colleague there that she met Humaira Fatima, chief editor of Equinox. “The problem in Pakistan is that there is no literary culture,” she complains. “Not only do our books focus primarily on the somber side of life, there are also no publishers or distribution houses to offer your work to. It’s no wonder local authors like Saba Imtiaz turn to foreign institutions to have their writing published!” Heena highlights a cyclical pattern between Pakistan’s general apathy towards literature and the lack of sound publishing infrastructure, claiming that the local population keeps abreast with pop-culture books only. “Many people have compared Equinox to Twilight simply because they have little else to juxtapose it with,” says Heena. “They don’t realise that authors do not appreciate having their work compared to another’s. Masterpieces aren’t written — they are created by people.” Once again, her passion for writing and creativity becomes apparent by how animated she becomes whilst talking about it.

Heena is currently riding high on the appreciation garnered by Equinox and has already finalised the second installment of the trilogy. In fact, ever the literature enthusiast, she has also worked on other adult edits like Thunder and Lightning along with a short story based on child marriages in the subcontinent which she hopes to release as a musical. “I am waiting for the right opportunity to publish it,” she says with a twinkle in her eye. “I want to release it internationally so that will take time.” In the meantime, Heena’s loyal readership and romantics around the world eagerly await her next book, to be released later this year.

Domestic goddess 7

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, MAY 3, 2015

By Arooj Waqar

Cracker delight

Say Cheese!

This easy homemade appetiser is ideal for your next dinner party!

Ingredients • • • • • • •

Crackers 12 Chicken 1/2 cup (shredded) Mayonnaise 3 tbsp Cucumber (diced) 1/3 Salad leaves as desired Ketchup as desired Salt and pepper to taste

Method • Mix the chicken, mayonnaise, cucumber, salt and pepper together.

• Apply the mixture on each cracker, neatly placing it on top.

• Place a small piece of salad leaf on top for decoration.

You may also use cucumbers or a drop of ketchup, as you please.

When it comes to appetisers, sky is the limit! There is literally a world of niblets one can serve as starters, like salads, cold meats and even drinks. Unfortunately, Pakistanis have exhausted the traditional form of appetisers and it’s high time we branch out. And what better way to do this than a creative cheese platter?

Before you dismiss the idea as unhealthy, hear us out. If you’ve got some crackers left over, this is the perfect way to utilise them. Not only are cheese platters something different to offer your guests, they can also include a variety of items apart from the crackers and cheese, including olives, pate, dips, pickles, vegetable sticks, jams, breads, buns, cured meats and nuts. And they’re easy to do, even for large groups of people. Up to three types of cheeses for 10 to 12 people is ideal. Feta, parmesan, goat’s cheese and flavoured cheese are common features of this antipasti platter. One soft, white cheese, one blue or of the flavoured variety and one firm cheese (Edam or Swiss-styles) work excellent together.

PHOTO: CBC.CA

Preparation is key and you must take the necessary measures to keep your cheese fresh. You should keep it covered with a damp tea towel or plastic wrap up until serving time and only remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to serving. You should also make sure that the accompaniments on the platter do not touch the cheese lest the flavours get mixed. As separate knife for each type of cheese will prevent mixing of flavours as well. To make the platter, simply place wedges or rounds of the cheeses on a large plate and partner them with complimenting finger-foods or dips. If your guests include children, it is best to cut the cheese into slices, cubes or triangles and add colourful accompaniments like carrots or apples. And most importantly, cut a few slices of cheese yourself, before serving, to prompt your guests as to how they should go about it themselves.

Woman of the week 8

During a shoo t.

With a client at Depilex.

Make-up artist / entrepreneur / philanthopist With daughter Redah Misbah.

Take some time out to review the exercise routines that comprise your daily work out. Are you doing the tried and tested crunches? Good. What about the tricep bench dips? Even better! But while it is indeed great that you are willing to beat the lethargy and work up a sweat, some of the exercises you are doing might actually be quite pointless. Yes, you read that right. Some of the most popular exercise movements which we so proudly indulge in have actually been credited worthless by fitness gurus.

Read on to find out what these are and how you can replace them!

According to research from San Diego University, California, traditional crunches are amongst the least effective exercises you can do. Whether you want to achieve six-pack abs or a thinner waist line, crunches require sit-ups that can actually create a strength imbalance in your core, causing back problems in the long run.

This move may seem exhausting, but it works wonders. Research has proven that the plank activates more muscles than traditional crunches, reaping great results. And what’s more, it lowers the risk of any back problems.

This is because it targets abdominal muscles and helps to build muscular endurance, sparing your spine in the process

This move requires you to sit on one of two benches that have been placed parallel to one another. With your arms on the bench at the back and your feet on the bench in front, you must raise and lower yourself in a series of repetitions. Seems like a lot of work which should produce excellent effects, but that’s not the case. This exercise accomplishes very little compared to the time put in to arrange the benches and also adds unnecessary strain on your tricep muscles.

Either of these exercises achieves way more than the exhausting tricep bench dips do. Hence, take your work out routine to the next level and focus on your armss a and core doing u a d co e muscles usc es by do g regular egu a dips or variants of push-ups.

Squatting to 90 degrees with your thigh parallel to the floor is supposed to open your body up to a wider range of motion — at least in theory. But there are a lot of downsides to this exercise which effect different areas of your body, especially the thigh muscles. The issue arises because bending with your thighs exerts extra stress on your knees and at times, leads to knee injuries and surgeries.

They may seem easy and even a bit silly, but lunges are the best overall workout for a large number of areas, incl including the hamstring, quads and gluteus muscles.

By doing these, you can be mus sure to achieve achie your fitness goals without about whether your knees can handle worrying abo the added pressure of your body weight pr

Design by Eesha Azam