NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
Thank you for the music
25 years after they dissapeared from the scene, we catch up with the Benjamin sisters
18
NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
Cover Story 18 Thank You for the Music Ever wonder what happened to the Benjamin Sisters? 30 Where are they now? Big hair and breakdancing may be a thing of the past but these ‘80s stars are evergreen
Feature 32 Shall We Dance? Banker by day, salsa dancer by night ... meet Hazan D
Travel 36 Now You’re In New York Saba Khalid discovers the joys of nature in one of the most urbanised cities in the world
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Up North and Personal
32
38 Monkey Business How tourists are destroying the ecological balance of Galiyat
Regulars 6 People & Parties: Out and about with Pakistan’s beautiful people 40 Reviews: What’s new in books and movies 42 10 things I hate about: University life
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Magazine Editor: Zarrar Khuhro, Senior Sub-Editor: Batool Zehra, Sub-Editors: Ameer Hamza and Dilaira Mondegarian. Creative Team: Amna Iqbal, Jamal Khurshid, Essa Malik, Anam Haleem, Tariq W Alvi, S Asif Ali, Samad Siddiqui, Mohsin Alam, Sukayna Sadik. Publisher: Bilal A Lakhani. Executive Editor: Muhammad Ziauddin. Editor: Kamal Siddiqi. For feedback and submissions: magazine@tribune.com.pk 4
PEOPLE & PARTIES
Ruby Shakel hosts a 3-day event at the Fashion Pakistan Lounge in Lahore
Rubina
PHOTOS COURTESY SAVVY PR & EVENTS
Mariam and Fareeha
Mahvish and Mehak
Amna, Mariam, Saim and Aliha
Babloo and Natasha
Salma and Turab
6 NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
Reema
Shakel, Ruby, Nazrah and Fahd
NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
PEOPLE & PARTIES
Fatima Butt Wajeeha, Sidra and Maleeha Faeza and Zahida
Annie and Shoaib Zohair and Maryam
Saira Omer Farooq
8 NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
Noor, Sehr and Naheed
Saira and Maliha
NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
PEOPLE & PARTIES
Sadia and Dilara Raazia
Zehra and Sophiya Khan
Malaaika, Annie and Sam
PHOTOS CXXX
Lubna and Abgeena
Ayesha
10 NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
Asiya and Waheed Malik
Nazi and Aamir
NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
PEOPLE & PARTIES
Nickie Nina participate in a fashion show, to raise funds for Medical Aid For Pakistan, in London
Nickie and Maria
Hajra
Lena
Sadya
12 NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
Joe
Sarah with Ravisha
PHOTOS COURTESY VOILA PR
Diana and Liana
Farah Khushi
Rear Admiral Amjad Hussain
NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
PEOPLE & PARTIES
The Citizens Foundation organises a fundraising event, ‘Zikre Khusro: a journey of music and love’, in Karachi
ar
feeda Bad
ain and Ra
Aisha Huss
Humeira Tahir Ayub, Roohi Sayeed and Nadia Nadeem
Nabila Yasin Siddik and Maneeze Omar
Saba Paracha
14 NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
Shahla Shareef
Farah Raza Chhapra, Mushtaq K Chhapra and Nilofar Saeed
Sadia Awan
NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
PEOPLE & PARTIES
ociety S t r A l a r nises a Flo in Karachi a g r o il u q Farha A at her residence lunch
Farha Aquil Fauzia Nafisa and Nishat
Kausar and Erum
Zoreed Ra
za
16 NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
Khushbakht Shujaat and Shahimah Syed
Offi Khan and Nishat
NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
COVER STORY
Thank you for th BY SAADIA QAMAR
PHOTOS BY ZEESHAN HAIDER
JEWELLERY: KIRAN FINE JEWELRY HAIR AND MAKEUP: BINA KHAN DESIGNER: ZAID HAMEED
Ever wonder what happened to the Benjamin Sisters? Those icons of the ‘80s? Well, wonder no more because here they are! 18 NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
he music 19 NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
COVER STORY It’s funny the things you rediscover when you can’t watch TV. It is while fiddling with the radio during a long spell of load-shedding that I hear those familiar voices, coming not just from the radio speakers but from the distant past. The musical lilt of the voice, as I sit listening in the dark, is unmistakable. In a flash I realise who
it is: it’s Beena from the Benjamin Sisters, those singers of patriotic anthems, the cherished icons of my childhood, role models so exemplary that their very wholesomeness seems to confine them to an era far removed from Miley Cyrus and Lindsay Lohan.
As the voice fades away, I snap back to the present: this is 2011, not 1986, I remind myself. Tweens
don’t sway to the tune of “Khayal Rakhna”, they bop to the beat of Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga. And yet, here is Beena Benjamin, hosting a show on FM 107. Does this spell a comeback for the sisters? Immediately, I go about the task of finding a contact for these old-time favourites.
But arranging an interview with them is no mean task. Thrice our meeting is cancelled because
of the political unrest in Karachi. Finally, we decide to meet on a seemingly less turbulent Thurs-
day at Chatkharay. As I dig into delectable chaat, I almost expect them to walk in wearing match-
ing outfits. They arrive, giggling amongst themselves, oblivious of the interview. As she devours
mirchi pakoras, Beena looks the same as she did years ago. Shabana Kenneth nee Benjamin sips Roof Afza, looking philosophical. Nerissa, meanwhile, does justice to her yummy fruit chaat, and
proves to be the most animated of the lot, recounting with gusto numerous anecdotes of their past glory.
“Where have you been all these years?” is the first question. Nerissa, Beena and Shabana laugh softly.
“Humari shadiaan hogai, hum gum hogaay,”(We all got married and hence we were nowhere to
be found) says Nerissa Benjamin, the eldest. Belonging to an era when showbiz did not gel with
married life, the sisters disbanded in 1987, at the height of their popularity, when Nerissa got married. In fact, before he was her husband, Nerissa’s husband was her biggest fan, telling his mother that he would only marry her.
“After marriage, life became very busy. Today, we all have different schedules and it’s difficult to
coordinate with each other,” adds Beena.
They were introduced to showbiz by Javed Allah Ditta, a notable sitar player and member of
the PIA Academy, where stalwarts like Sohail Rana and Zia Mohyuddin performed, and recorded “Khayal Rakhna” with Alamgir in 1983. Signed up for just one episode of Shoaib Mansoor’s programme “Silver Jubilee”, which was conceived as a tribute to artists who had been performing for the past 25 years, Nerissa, Shabana and Beena ended up doing 20 episodes.
The Benjamin Sisters hark back to the PTV of yore, known for discovering fresh talent and produc-
ing quality programmes. Even today, television viewers remember the vernal appeal of the three
sisters: in their matching shalwar kameez and identically arranged dupattas they bobbed their heads ever so slightly while rendering favourites such as “Laila Laila”. Their bodies held absolutely rigid, their arms modestly crossed, they looked very much a part of the choir from which they had
begun their musical journey. It was their father, Victor Benjamin, who first kindled this love for music. A skillful player of the xylophone, he encouraged his daughters to sing and they soon joined
the Sunday School choir at The Christ Church. This was the sum total of their musical training. At
a time when Zia’s Islamisation campaign was at its peak, these sisters from a minority community extolled nationalism in their beloved millie naghmay, capturing the nation’s heart in the process.
“Things were certainly different then. If there was any strife, it was against one sect or commu-
nity,” says Nerissa. “The times we are living in are much stranger. People belonging to minority communities like us, feel threatened.”
But Shabana is more hopeful, “I truly believe that things will change for the better. Someone, for
20
sure, will rise and save us all.”
When they first started appearing on TV, Nerissa was 21 years old and Beena and Shabana were 16
NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
soul sisters The Benjamin Sisters, even in their heyday, were associated with a particular nostalgia, singing as they did, Urdu hits from yesteryears. Now, they are a part of this generation’s childhood memories
BEHIND THE SCENES What was it like to work on a Benjamin Sisters’ photoshoot? From those who grew up on a staple diet of their songs to those only heard of them from older siblings, the people behind the scenes recount their experience. I wasn’t even born when they were at the top of their game, but I had of course heard their music and seen the videos. I was super excited when I was asked to click them. As for the shoot itself, it was as fun (and painful) as any other shoot, but I had to be extra careful as I was dealing with Pakistan’s national treasures! — Zeeshan Haider, Photographer My first thought was: “No way! The Benjamin Sisters? Where have they been?” I was thrilled when I was approached to design outfits for the shoot and had a bunch of ideas for reinventing them, keeping in mind the classic Benjamin Sisters look. I met them over a cup of tea and witnessed a steamroller go over my all-white, very contemporary ideas. The conversation was about daily life, likes, dislikes, personal styles, colours they love and colours they don’t love: Nerissa and Shabana with their beige-themed traditional dress sense and Beena with her passion for the colour red. I remember how cutely they asked for neck lines not to be too deep as “Mummy would get upset!” It was delightful. — Zaid Hameed, Designer I said ‘yes’ without even meeting them, even though I wondered how they looked 25 years later. I instinctively knew that the ‘one voice’ sisters needed jewellery that belonged to the same family. Not only did they pave the way for other women to blaze their own trails in the future, they also opened a window into the past for me and other teenagers in the early ‘80s who grew up listening to their renditions of Pakistani classics. Even today when I hum “Jeya gaye tara rara rum” or “Tum zindagi ko ghum ka fasanna bana gaye”, I conjure up their faces. — Kiran Aman, Jewellery designer a
21 NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
COVER STORY
24 NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
and 15 years old, respectively. Their mother encouraged the younger sisters but was a bit hesitant in sending the eldest one on TV. After a couple of episodes, the popularity of the sisters exploded and their fan following made their parents impose limits on their comings and goings. “Going to the bazaar was strictly forbidden,” says Nerissa. “We were simply too famous!”
This was also one of the reasons that Nerissa Benjamin hardly ever did commercial shows,
whereas the other two happily went ahead, voices in sync. Their appeal pretty much cut across all
age groups. A colleague told me that, as a child, her elder sister (who was then 8 years old) admired the Benjamin sisters so deeply, that when their mother was expecting a third child, she prayed for a little sister. Asked why, she replied, “Because then we’ll be the Benjamin sisters!”
The Benjamin sisters, in fact, are four in all. The youngest, Edna, was not part of the original
singing trio but now works as an RJ at a radio station.
The fan mail came in droves and the sisters basked in the admiration. According to Beena, “Sha-
bana’s followers were all teenagers, while kids used to adore me.” “Senior citizens were left for me!” interrupts Nerissa.
The sisters laugh and Beena continues: “Nerissa had everyone following her,” she says slyly.
PTV was a second home to them, as to many other emerging artists and actors such as Hadiqa
Kiyani, who were discovered and groomed by the institution in the ‘80s. “The love, respect and admiration we have received from PTV is one thing we will always be thankful for,” they say.
But times have changed since then, and so has the music industry. Where once Alamgir and
Hasan Jehangir ruled the roost, now there are Ali Zafar, Zoe Viccaji and Zeb and Haniya. I wonder how they find the music industry different from when they first started. “Today, you find everything ready-made,” says Nerissa. While Beena believes, “No hard work is required now.”
According to Shabana, “A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into making a lyrical song melodious.
Not any more. In our times, one tiny mistake and the entire song would have to be re-recorded!”
The audience too appears to have changed over time, growing more discriminating about the
music they listen to — the simple tunes these sisters belted out no longer suffice.
Amidst laughter, Beena Benjamin says, “No, the audience is the same. The ears have changed!”
Though no longer in the limelight, the Benjamin sisters intend to stick to what they know are
their strengths, if they ever make that comeback that is bound to bring a smile to a lot of faces. Shabana says, “If we are ever given a choice, we will be singing those same millie naghmay in a new style.” Nerissa adds, “We have been die-hard patriots all our lives.”
Till that happens, Nerissa continues to teach at St. Patrick’s High School, and Beena works as a
voiceover artist and a VJ. Shabana Kenneth, meanwhile, is a housewife. Nerissa and Shabana have a daughter and two sons each, whereas Beena has been blessed with a daughter. All three agree:
blast from the past The sisters have gone their separate ways, disbanding at the height of their popularity. Still, when they get together for a while, you get a glimpse of the magic that catapulted them to fame.
“Our kids remain our greatest critics to date. They are always mocking our hair-dos and make-up from back then.”
But their husbands and in-laws are amongst their biggest fans. “They’re always telling us to sing
a new song,” says Beena.
The possibility of that is far off — it is, after all 2011. But when they get together, laughing and
joking over small things, their voices mingling for the tiniest second as they interrupt each other, for a while they are the Benjamin Sisters once again. And I remain their biggest fan. a
25 NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
CONTEXT
Where are they now? BY SAIM SADIQ AND ROHAIL SALMAN
Ah, the ‘80s! The bygone era of bad hair, glam rock, break dancing, Miami Vice, neon lights, acid wash jeans and denim jackets. It was a time when Sultan Golden could jump over 22 cars in a single bound, 15-year-old Jahangir Khan became the youngest winner of the Squash World Open and “Fifty-Fifty” left audiences breathless with laughter. The ‘80s also heralded the birth of popular music, with hits like Is “Parcham Kay Saye Tala”, “Disco Deewane” and Hawa Hawa. Independence Day
functions were incomplete without the obligatory rendition of “Hum Zinda Qaum Hain” and bedroom walls of teenagers across the country would have been bare if not for Vital Signs posters.
Here is a look at five music sensations from that golden era.
4) Hasan Jehangir
5) Shyhaki
Pompous, proud, privileged; what-
Originally from Iran, Muhammad
ever you call him, Jehangir was a
Ali Shyhaki is easily one of the most
mega superstar in the ‘80s, not only in
quintessential landmarks of the ‘80s
Pakistan but internationally. Imagine
pop landscape. A graduate of Karachi’s
penning a song called “Imran Khan
NED University, this civil engineer,
is a Superman” and gaining interna-
provided us with evergreen tunes like
tional superstardom. Such was his
Meray Bachpan Kay Din and Meri Ankhon Say Dunya Ko Dekho with
hear him speak or sing. You might
remarkable regularity before pursu-
love him or hate him but you have to respect the man for his ab-
Studio collaborations are amazing then know that Shyhaki’s ‘Al-
sold out Indian stadiums at a time when neighbourly conflicts
ing his career as an aviation engineer. If you think today’s Coke lah Allah Kar Bhayya’ with folk legend Allan Fakir, whom he
brought to the mainstream, set the stage for such endeavours. It
is of no surprise then that many acknowledge Shyhaki, alongside Alamgir, as the torchbearers of pop in that era. Shyhaki retreated
from the limelight after his career change, occasionally gracing Independence Day concerts with his presence. He recently made a comeback with a revamped version of his song Teray Ishq Mae
30
charisma, and still is, whenever you
and is currently completing his US tour. NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
solute originality; even when he boasted about performing in
were at their peak. Currently, although his pomposity still remains quite untouched, he is back with a fresh Bengali number Dol Dol. Several websites in 2009 also reported that Hawa Hawa
would feature in a Bollywood film. Although this project was put on hold for a while, it’s apparently back on track now. The singer
also plans to sing for an upcoming Bollywood flick in India and promises to come up with a lot of new music. Currently, he’s doing a tour in Bangladesh.
3) Alamgir Known as the Elvis of the East,
Alamgir has not only enthralled
audiences in his age, but also
inspired many to pursue a career
in pop music. It is rumoured that when Alamgir moved to Karachi from East Pakistan, all he carried with him was a guitar and a passion to sing. He performed at small cafes where the
only remuneration was free meals. With unforgettable hits such
as Dekha Na Tha and Khayal Rakhna his popularity at the time was matchless and his distinctive attire always ensured that he
stood out from all other musicians. With time, age took its toll on Alamgir and in 2004 he was diagnosed with polycystic kidney
1) Vital Signs
gia. Alamgir recently released a new version of his popular song
— has in some shape or form been inspired by Vital Signs. It is
disease. He is currently undergoing treatment in Atlanta, Geor-
Almost every Pakistani music artist or band — including Junoon
Keh Dey Na, featuring Canadian singer Kristie Yung.
this influence that places them at the top of Pakistan musical pantheon. Initially comprising of Rohail Hyatt, Shahzad Has-
‘
san, Junaid Jamshed and Nusrat Hussain, the band was later
2) Nazia and Zoheb
joined by Salman Ahmed. One of the most iconic tunes belted
The two siblings, Nazia and Zoheb, are regarded as
the pioneers of pop music
in Pakistan, bringing us hits like “Disco Deewane”, “Boom
Boom”,
“Dum
Dum Dede”, “Ankhen Milane Wale”, “Pyar Ka Jadu”, “Telephone
Pyar”
and
out by the band would have to be “Dil Dil Pakistan”, voted by BBC World as the world’s third most popular song of all time. From
the patriotic “Hum Hain Pakistani” to the cheeky “Goray Rang
Ka Zaamana” to the mellow “Main Chup Raha”; Vital Signs
have done it all. Today, Rohail Hyatt produces Coke Studio while Shahzad Hassan handles a production company of his own. After a successful solo career, Junaid Jamshed renounced music in 2004 and is now running a clothing line, appearing on religious
shows and also the occasional ad for chips and ‘halal’ vaccines. a
“Aap Jaisa Koi”. Nazia captured the heart of the na-
tion with thousands rushing to emulate her but only Nazia could knock an “Aankhein Milane Walay” out of the park with as much
effortlessness as a “Dum Dum Dee Dee” or “Pyaar Diyan Galan”.
Often playing along yet serving as only an efficient sidekick, Zoheb’s career kicked off when he appeared alongside his sister
in the iconic, worldwide best-seller album Disco Deewane. Post the heartbreaking demise of his sister, Zoheb vanished from the music scene, returning much later with his 2006 album Kismat. Today, the only glimpse one might catch of him is on a morning show.
31 NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
FEATURE
shall we dance
?
BY AMEER HAMZA
As they danced in the ballroom in Ankara, the well dressed gentleman leading the beautiful lady through a succession of graceful twists and turns, their movements were perfectly in sync. It was at that moment that Hazan realised that he wanted to learn how
Banker by day, salsa dancer by night...meet Hazan D, Karachi’s best salsa dancer
Salsa jive, also called modern jive, is probably the simplest,
and some would say the most fun, of all forms of dancing. It is
taught in the form of “moves” (a short sequences of steps) which are then linked together to form a flowing dance.
Hazan was invited to the World Salsa Congress in Mexico but
to dance. A recent graduate of the IBA, Karachi, Hazan had sold
unfortunately could not attend due to visa difficulties. This year
on my trip and when I saw those two people have this amazing
edly be five times bigger than previous events. Hazan has been
his jeep to pay for a vacation to Turkey. “I visited a dance school conversation through dance, I immediately decided to extend my stay in Turkey and enrolled to learn ballroom dancing,” he says.
Now, back in Karachi, Hazan is the Assistant Vice President of
a local private bank by day but by night you can find him twisting and twirling at ActOne, where he teaches salsa jive. “When salsa was introduced to England, lots of people found it difficult
to move their hips, thus salsa jive was born,” Hazan explains, “It’s easy to learn and you can do it on any song, Bollywood, hip hop or pop.”
32 NOVEMBER 13-19 6-12 2011 2011
the World Salsa Congress is being held in Cuba, and will supposinvited again and hopes to attend this year. “It’s not a competition. All the world champions of dance converge at the event
and conduct workshops on dance. I will also be performing the rhumba with the Mexican champion, Ms Beatriz Franco and I plan to spend my three days there soaking in all I can from the masters of dance.”
He concludes: “I never knew that one day dancing would take
over my life but it did. Dancing helps me relax, it lets me express myself.” a
1- Normal position: Gentleman
2- Gentleman: Takes a right step
3- Gentleman: Pulls the lady,
(Right) — Lady (Left)
back and extends hand out signal-
using left hand, towards him
4a- Gentleman: Moves left
ing to the lady
and places right hand on her
foot back and pushes the
Lady: Takes a left step back
waist
lady’s right hand down and
Lady: Takes a step forward
towards her
with left foot and stands next
Lady: Moves right foot, tak-
to him with left hand on his
ing it all the way back 270 de-
shoulder and right hand still
grees. She is now facing the
in his left. She will be looking
same direction as him
in the opposite direction
4b- Gentleman: Using his right hand, placed on her lower back, pushes her back in the position so that she is standing next to him but while both
5- Gentleman: Using his right hand,
are facing different directions
spins her while holding her right
Lady: When he pulls, takes her
hand with his left and raising it
right foot and places it back
Lady: Spins in a clockwise direction
where it was before the 270
and comes face to face with him
degree turn
6- Gentleman: Returns the spin with his left hand, this time in an anticlockwise direction Lady: Spins! Returns to postion 1
33 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER13-19 6-12 2011
TRAVEL
now you’re in Saba Khalid discovers that there’s more to New York than bright lights and skyscrapers
new york
BY SABA KHALID
It was my third day in the City. I was walking on Fifth Avenue, admiring the storefronts of Bergdorf Goodman and Saks, drooling over a Gucci dress that I could never afford in this lifetime. As I hung outside the Trump Tower, hoping to catch a glimpse of the narcissistic billionaire, I stumbled upon Central Park.
(and well-rehearsed) eye roll — I had reserved this eye roll espe-
I had never thought of it as anything more than a beautiful
tired behind on and get that perfect shot. But before I could even
park and I was no naturalist. But the horse carriages and the Italian-students-turned-pedicab drivers calling out to me made
me feel like an exotic tourist in some film, and that succeeded in dragging me in, if only to tick Central Park off my list of spots
my vacation. Till now, the look hadn’t really been needed and I had been waiting to try it on some amorous male.
“I just thought you’d want to try….free lessons and all,” he said
dejectedly as he turned away and left. Feeling slightly guilty, I got back to my mission of finding a quaint bench to perch my
sit down, I heard the most wonderful combination of violin, piano, guitar and flute. The sound was so exquisite that I had to see what was going on.
In the middle of the park there were at least 15 pairs of profes-
visited. Another motivation was to see if I could quickly find a
sional tango dancers, lifting their legs high enough to match the
would make all 34853257 of my Facebook friends turn instantly
don, all the while swaying to Argentinean tango music. I joined
picturesque spot to get that one Facebook profile picture that green with envy. Isn’t that the real reason we all travel?
I had only stepped inside when a tall man with floppy blonde
36
cially for any and all men who would try making passes at me on
hair, blocked my way entirely. “Would you like to tango with me?” he said mischievously. I waved him off and did my best NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
Manhattan skyline and throwing their heads back with aban-
the admiring audience watching them glide for what seemed to me like minutes but may well have been hours.
“There really was ‘tango’ in the park,” I thought to myself as I
moved with the audience towards the next attraction, a bunch of
Carry me away
Garden of the Heart
It takes two to tango
Undiscovered talent
Two hours in Central Park, I realised that whoever told me ‘Disney was the happiest place in the world’ had lied. This has got to be the happiest place in the world.
tourists dancing wildly to the beat of African drums.
of Central Park for you. Two hours in Central Park, I realised that
in his 80s roller-skated past me. It reminded me of the lines in
lied. This has got to be the happiest place in the world.
Before I could reach them, a shirtless man who must’ve been
the Alicia Keys song, “There’s nothing you can’t do/ Now you’re
whoever told me ‘Disney was the happiest place in the world’ had For a budget traveller like myself, the absolute highlight of the
in New York.” And the 80-year-old in his too-tight biker shorts
park is that it is completely free. Of course, the children’s zoo and
Just then, throngs of cyclists, roller-bladers and skateboarders
amusement parks such as Disney World. And if you’re super fru-
and his bare chest was no exception.
whizzed past me. The light was green and I was on a busy Central Park road. I later learnt that you don’t ever want to get in the
way of serious cyclists in Central Park — they will run you down without any remorse.
As I slowly made my way back to the greens, I finally saw
what drives 25 million visitors to this urban park each year. It is
so much more than just a gorgeous park. Shaded by elm trees,
with tiny turtles sitting on stones, precious ducklings floating
in ponds, lovers staring at each other as they canoed in the lake for hours on end and children licking popsicles as they listened intently to a street performer’s vivid story-telling, laughing hysterically as he performed magic tricks — that’s just a tiny aspect
4D theatre have an entrance fee but that too is lower compared to
gal, you can skip these two attractions altogether and still enjoy
plenty of other free things in the Park. Most of all, the fun you
have here is pure, organic, natural and tech-free fun under the sun. With an area spanning 843 acres, it is close to impossible to explore everything in the park in a single day. Even with two
days to spare, I was barely able to scratch the surface. It was only after I spent every other evening for one week religiously going to
the park that I was able to understand its various attractions and lively characters inside out.
When I came to NYC, I never imagined spending my very last day
in a park. But here I am, on my very last day, sitting in Central Park and, trust me, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world! a
NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
37
UP NORTH AND PERSONAL Life in the high mountains is suffused with a timeless luminosity every autumn. The spectral light softens and slows all movement: be this the drifting flight of a Siberian Steppe Eagle as it lazily floats on somnolent thermals, the
hushed shuffle of village women returning from forested slopes
bearing massive bundles of animal fodder and fuel on their heads or the half-hearted perambulations of weather-beaten old men
trawling tiny bazaars for tea and gossip. Days are a dream time of unhurried preparedness for when, suddenly and in the dark of
the night, collective consciousness is overpowered with a sharp clarity induced by the subzero temperatures of winter.
For now though, slow motion is the order of the day. With the
tourist season over, the plastic chairs of roadside eateries lie empty and forlorn. Local people go about the ageless business of reclaiming both their lands and their lives which, unfortunately,
are no longer as in sync with the environment as they once were. The detritus of crass commercialism litters the still-magnifi-
cent landscape. Newly constructed and under-construction holi-
day homes for the ‘elite’ and seasonal visitors mar the mountains
who, in their rush to nature, are perhaps unknowingly destroying the very environmental beauty they profess to seek.
It is difficult to ascertain exactly where the blame for this ruin-
ation of grandeur lies. Having turned their backs on subsistence
agriculture, indigenous residents have long become accustomed
to living off the fat of the tourist trade, given the absence of other forms of employment. Meanwhile, the tourist trade has increased
in recent years as foreign travel, with its post-9/11 difficulties, is
now too expensive for many of those who used to indulge in this luxury. With Swat and some other traditional tourist havens still
viewed as ‘no go’ areas, the Galiyat region, so accessible from the plains, serves as a scenic magnet for those in search of a break.
All of this is perfectly understandable, of course. Local people reap the financial rewards, tourists have a whale of a time but the price, for both sectors, is coming home to roost.
monkey
Thanks to tourists, people have become monkey magnets in Galiyat
business TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHS BY ZAHRAH NASIR
Hand in hand with the disease of new buildings and ram-
shackle extensions, is the impact of larger than life advertising. Slogans can be seen painted directly on buildings and rocks or
splashed across intrusive billboards hoisted high in the air, marring the mountainside at regular intervals. Many of these are
pects to breathe.
distinctly like bullet holes. Then, as is only to be expected from
them currently threatening to slide into oblivion, thanks to
Largely non-biodegradable, it is building up season after season,
cal households, hotels, restaurants, shops, picnickers and is
defaced with offensive graffiti and, here and there, what look a population severely lacking civic sense, there is the garbage.
poisoning the ground and exuding toxic chemicals into the supposedly ‘fresh’ air that everyone living or visiting the region ex-
52 38 NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
Not immediately visible on the switchback roads — some of
inferior construction — this garbage, which emanates from lothoughtlessly tossed out from bus and car windows, forms huge carpets of disease-laden filth and tumbles, in cascades of multi-
Rhesus macaque monkeys in the forests was fairly small, since
the natural environment is only capable of adequately support-
ing a certain number. These mountain dwelling monkeys, in-
telligent as they are, tended to steer clear of direct interaction with humans. They did, however, take full advantage of places
where anything even remotely edible may have been dumped.
Over the years, the monkeys have abandoned their forested territory in favour of easy handouts and may even have totally forgotten how to forage for their natural dietary requirements.
Troops of monkeys now hang around any place, predominantly eateries and picnic spots. And people throw, even directly
hand out, food and fizzy drinks to monkeys without realising
that they have a very nasty bite and can be particularly vicious when protecting their young. At the height of the tourist season, the monkeys are thus provided with all the junk and other
‘purchased’ food they can eat. Locals obviously understand the monetary lure of monkeys; some tiny eateries encourage them
to hang around so that tourists will stop, buy their offerings and feed it to the lurking, ever hungry hordes. While this may
sound perfectly harmless, it has set a dangerous trend. When
Switchback road
tourists thin out and then disappear as the season wanes, the
monkeys, deprived of the sustenance they have come to take for granted, first stalk and then pounce on every potential food
source on two legs that they happen to see. If their selected target happens to be carrying a bag or is wearing a flowing chador then…watch out!
Yet another aspect to the ‘monkey factor’ is that, since these
sss
monkeys have migrated to human territory, the animals which, in the manner of all natural food chains, traditionally prey on
them are faced with an ever-diminishing menu. Leopards, wild dogs, foxes, jackals, finding it harder to fill their stomachs, are having to search for alternative nourishment in order to survive
and so are, quite understandably, turning more and more towards raiding human habitations where livestock and chickens
can be found. This, in turn, increasingly deters indigenous peo-
Waiting for handouts coloured plastic, down precipitous slopes. Here, it is rummaged
ples from investing in replacement animals and poultry. What
is the point of spending good money on something which may quickly end up as food for hungry wildlife?
In this way, and many others, the entire environmental, eco-
through, picked over and further dispersed by wildlife and wind.
logical and sociological balance of the Galiyat region is being
authorities seem to care.
many years down the line that people discover that there isn’t
The result is sickening yet neither the general public nor the local
There is another rising menace — although visitors certainly
do not view it as such and neither do the few local ‘entrepreneurs’ who profit from it. Not many years ago, the population of
destroyed. If allowed to continue unchecked, it will not be too a single reason left for them to visit the ruined remains of what
was once as pristine a place as it is possible to get in an easily accessible region of a vastly overpopulated country.A
39 53 NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
REVIEW
lights, camera, screams! BY NOMAN ANSARI
I’d like to apologise to the couple seated next to me for my shrill, girlish screams while watching this movie in the cinema. However, in my defence, the entire hall resounded with the screams of people watching Paranormal Activity 3. The two psychological tools the film uses most to deliver its frights are ‘anticipation’ and, its close mate, ‘dread’. The movie starts with long and absorbing sequences where little happens in way of action, aside from the subtle scares, but later progresses to full blown frights, some of which are good enough to leave audiences grabbing their seats till their knuckles turn a shade lighter. Directed by newcomers Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, who previously worked together on the thrilling documentary Catfish in 2010, this movie thrives on old-school psychological horror. Smart camcorder work, quite similar to its previous installments, followed by some very good editing, make the movie a good watch. The cast, despite some of them bearing the tag of newcomers, do justice to their roles as well. The plot is standard fare; a haunted house with the usual eerie happenings and its unsuspecting inhabitants. Wedding video maker Dennis (Chris Smith), who lives with his girlfriend Julie (Lauren
sufis, syeds and saints BY AQSA IJAZ
Who are we? The quest for identity has always been one of the most haunting questions for the human mind. In his autobiographical essays Khujwa Recollected, Dr Akbar Naqvi, a distinguished art historian and critic, puts together the missing pieces of his identity and tests the meaningfulness of his memory “as a boy who grew up with Khujwa in his heart and soul”. Recounting the travelling adventures of his ancestors (ahlebait) who finally settled at Khujwa, a village in Bihar, India, Dr Naqvi’s main aim is to record the family history he has gathered from oral stories and the study of Sufi literature. He writes mainly for people who are interested in enlightened Muslim families of the subcontinent and for his children and grandchildren, to connect them to their past. The author traces his roots back to the late 13th century with the arrival of Syed Jalaluddin Surkhposh (also known as Red Sufi of Bukhara) who travelled to al-Hind in 653 Hijri, at the age of 37 and whose family flourished in the subcontinent. He then delves deeper, exploring the presence of African blood in his family through marriage. Naqvi relates how his ancestor Ghulam Mohammed, tenth in the line from Surkhposh, got to build Khujwa: “When the daughter of 40 Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb fell seriously ill and the court hakims NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
Bittner) and her two little girls Katie (Katie Featherston) and Kristi Ray (Sprague Grayden), after suspecting a supernatural presence, has his cameras capture strange happenings in the house. Elaborate setups, including a clever oscillating fan contraption manages to capture some of the scenes quite well. Aside from the ‘found camcorder’ footage, unlike other As a prequel of the other two movies horror films of today, Paranorthis one gets audiences to scream mal Activity 3 presents little gore, even louder. until absolutely necessary. By avoiding excessive carnage, a cliché that plagues the horror genre today, the movie is quite grounded. Although the film is very good at what it does, its narrative and character development is merely serviceable. Unlike a great thriller, like say The Sixth Sense, the film doesn’t have a lasting effect on the minds of audiences. That being said, when it comes to horror films that instantly boost your heartbeat, Paranormal Activity 3 is pretty much the defibrillator of the horror genre.
gave up, the ruler said that if Syed ladies of impeccable birth and virtue prayed for her he would reward them suitably. As a result, Bibi Wadi and her 14 sisters offered to pray for the princess and she was healed.” Out of gratitude, the emperor gave them 500 acres of land on which Khujwa village was built in the early 18th century. Later in the book, Naqvi explores the idea of mianlog or ashraf, and gives insight on how the term ‘Syeds’ acquired significance by the time the family came to settle in India. Particularly heartwarming is the essay titled ‘My Dada’, an account of the author’s connection with his grandfather which is succeeded by an essay about the author’s own childhood in Hajipur. The book concludes with an interesting essay named after the author’s current postal address, detailing his own settlement in Karachi and his life as an art historian and critic. The essays, good enough to read as standalone pieces, make the organic whole of a life story. On the whole, the book arouses considerable historical interest. a
THE HATER
10 things I hate about ... university life
1 2 3 4 5
BY T PASHA
The university itself. You imagine hushed halls, quiet libraries, and intellectual discussions where people quote “Hamlet”. What you get are fish markets, torn library books and people asking, “Ye Hamlet kaun sa naya banda aa gaya?”
Your department. Seriously, is it too much to ask for a set of couches for the department when the teachers
themselves sit in a room with stuff worth your house’s yearly rent?
The teachers. They will ask you to write an article and will then berate you about how little you know about
writing an article and how you are wasting your parents’ hard-earned money. Then, when you ask for
pointers on better writing, they will tell you that they can only point the way, not give you actual directions to your destination. You can never win.
Fashion. You struggle every morning to wear appropriate clothes, slap some kajal on your puffy eyes and somehow make it to your class where, as you stumble in, you see your other female classmates with smoky
eye makeup, fabulous clothes, and no sign of sleep on their faces.
The boys. Guys strut about as though they are the love children of Brad Pitt and George Clooney — pants
around their hips, huge sunglasses, heavy incomprehensible grunting which pass for words. While they
smoke outside class, their girlfriends do their homework for them.
42 NOVEMBER 13-19 2011
6 7 8 9 10
The girls. Really, just because I’m better than you, is no reason to badmouth me behind my back. It only
shows how much you envy me. It’s not my fault that
you think wearing earrings and form-fitting clothes is anti-feminist.
The drama. Better than Star Plus, and no plastic surgery! You get it all: tears, fights, break-ups, schem-
ing and even revenge. There is no way of getting bored
when you get to witness a fight between a boy, his exgirlfriend, his new girlfriend AND his fiancé.
The projects. All the presentations, assignments and
group projects … it’s like the teachers are pairing you all up and then going back into the staff lounge to place bets on the all-out catfight that is sure to break out.
The cliques. I heard this term in the movie Mean Girls
and was quite fascinated by it all, until I came to my university and got into a clique. Here you have the too-
cool-for-you(but not)s, the A-level crowd, the rejects,
the snobs, the shy/conservatives ones, and then the
ones who really come only once a year and therefore, do not matter.
The experience. You spend four or more years in this
hellhole. You look at the bruises to your ego and the
tears you’ve shed and, as much as you hate to, you have to admit — you actually did learn something, though not necessarily what you paid to study. a