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Interiors
Wasif Ali Khan and his spouse:
The woman behind the man January 15 - 21, 2012 I 25
By Injila Baqir Zeeshan
T
hose who are into home design and interiors, must know of architect Wasif Ali Khan’s house. It has become so popular that it has been swarmed with media on many occasions. Not only has Mr Wasif and his wife’s taste in home décor attracted many features in various publications but it has also been a popular haunt for photographers who have carried out fashion photo shoots using these aesthetically created rooms as backdrops. But the element of surprise came when Raza, Wasif’s son disclosed the fact that the décor’s credit goes far more to his mother than to his father. He describes her as an ‘aesthetic perfectionistist’. Farida shies away from accepting the fact that she is responsible for bringing together all the strands of this masterpiece. A beautiful family of artists, they were nearly impossible to be grouped together for a photograph. Both Wasif and Farida studied at NCA. Raza happens to be an architect himself and his wife Saba is an
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Not only has Mr Wasif and his wife’s taste in home décor attracted many features in various publications but it has also been a popular haunt for photographers who have carried out fashion photo shoots using these aesthetically created rooms as backdrops First, there is Wasif’s favourite part of the house which he uses for all his entertaining. His grand music system and a unique music collection stands against one partition wall
He recalls how his father had his workers not only remove the layers under which it had been buried, bit by bit, but also join the broken and scattered parts of it. Today it stands there displaying some stunning pieces of their silverware collection January 15 - 21, 2012 I 27
NCA graduate, famous for her unique paintings. The family has been recently blessed with a little angel, whom they named Tara. The grandparents wait eagerly for her to come out of her room each morning and dote upon her adorable little antics. A beautiful marble floor doorway is the first thing that catches your eye when you enter the house. On the left lie the powder room and the kitchen. Towards the right, you can see that the drawing room has been divided into two. First, there is Wasif’s favourite part of the house which he uses for all his entertaining. His grand music system and a unique music collection stands against one partition wall. Although, Farida may not admit it, and when asked about her favourite part of the house she says that it happens
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to be the kitchen as she spends most of her time there, Raza vehemently reports that it’s this second part of the drawing room. It’s what Farida prides herself upon and keeps it in impeccable condition. What truly steals your breath away is the long convex glass wall, and the room which looks outside upon lush green gardens. The dining room’s ceiling is an antique, painted piece of art, brought from Multan, but the one decorative element that fascinates Raza is the handcarved stone masterpiece that was part of some old haveli. As a child he remembers how it had been brutally covered all over by cement and paint. He recalls how his father had his workers
But the element of surprise came when Raza, Wasif’s son disclosed the fact that the décor’s credit goes far more to his mother than to his father not only remove the layers under which it had been buried, bit by bit, but also join the broken and scattered parts of it. Today it stands there displaying
some stunning pieces of their silverware collection. Another interesting part of the house is the age old carved marble slab, brought in from their grandfather’s house to form the background of a water body. Throughout the rooms one comes across piece upon piece of fascinating decorative items, making it difficult to decide which one you like the most. Raza explains how his mother and father managed to collect this treasure trove. They never had an elaborate budget, but whatever little money they ever saved went into buying perhaps a wonderful new painting. Even though it may appear that the items collected here, have been brought in from all over the world, surprisingly, Farida says that she has not bought a lot of stuff from her travels abroad. It’s mostly
Throughout the rooms one comes across piece upon piece of fascinating decorative items, making it difficult to decide which one you like the most
just local or perhaps some from India. She has tried her hand at interior decoration and was steadily making her friends huge fans, but has recently taken a break from it, being engrossed in her granddaughter completely. They say that behind every successful man there is a woman, and here is an example of the fact that truly a home is made by the aesthetic touch of a woman. She has been the silent force and support for her husband all these years, never coming forth to demand attention for her amazing talents, always in the background, and
yet serving as the pillar of strength for the entire family. Whether anyone else acknowledges this fact or not, we publish it today, dedicating it to every woman who puts her heart and soul into making her house a beautiful home!
Photography: Asmat Khan at Studio AFZL
January 15 - 21, 2012 I 29
Profile
A perfectionist is what he is By Rubia Moghees
F
araz Salehjee of Chester Bernard Shirts is one person who simply can’t stop talking about his undying passion for shirts. His labour of love wows everyone with his infectious wit and his firm conviction that his brand is the best deal in town. My rendezvous with him was full of hyper-activity; he was all over his outlet, showing his latest designs, collar designs and a wide variety of fabric. The only Pakistani to do a double collar which is in itself is a unique concept; he also claims of ‘chugging’ out designs like a machine. ‘Extremely passionate people are often labeled as confused,’ he says rather demurely. ‘I have a very strong sense of business prowess built on the principles of cash flows’, he asserts. ‘We can’t mass manufacture for the simple reason that it takes one person to complete two shirts in a day at our unit whereas other manufacturers make about 150 shirts in the same time period and this is why we have always liked to
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We have 700 shirts at any given time in the stores in about 300 colours, with many variations in designs. Our base fabrics are Egyptian cotton, supima, pima and cotton rich fabrics with a range of boski and silk remain under wraps, depending only on the word of mouth, explains this obsessed man. Working for more than 14 hours a day and without any hang-ups, Faraz labels his outlets a paradise, a get-away from reality where people get the real value for money as they at Chester Bernard believe in giving the best experience to his clients. Here is what the spirited man has to say about his brand: About Chester Bernard: Our business is purely a precision craft. We are design lovers and we thrive on it .There are no limits to our design sense. Once we come up with a design idea, it becomes an obsession on how do we convert it into a shirt and what mediums do we need to make it happen. Our beginning was small and precise with loads of attention to detail. We exhibited our first collection in Karachi at Labels in cotton suede shirts in black and camel colours and were sold out in a day. Next we arranged an exhibition in the Forum Mall in Karachi. We decorated the area into a floral garden and presented the shirts in as if they were a gift from nature. We
realized that there’s always a hunger among people to experience uniqueness. That’s what we do; we invite people for an experience and be unique. Tell us about the set up of stores that are displaying the Chester Bernard shirts in Pakistan? The stores have been designed by a genius. An architect in Dubai- my brother. He did what I thought was impossible; humbled the most severe critics of design. The clean lines all over the store invite people straight to the shirts. How are these shirts different from the rest? Everything is different from the fabric, colour, cut, design, the mixing and matching of layers. Even our employees are in awe of what they make. I see them at times looking at the pieces they have made and silently admiring them. It’s a team which loves to do what they are doing. Each shirt is made slowly and with love, like a painting made by an artist. Craftsmanship I believe is what it’s called. In your opinion what is the perfect fabric? Every fabric is perfect from khaddar to the finest 160 count Sea Island cotton. It depends what you do with it, how you mould it and what architecture you’ve given it. How much of a role does stitching play? Stitching is the base upon which your fabric rests. In order to get clean lines your stitching has to be so fine that it should become nearly invisible. How much emphasis does the brand Chester Bernard lay on the workmanship and detailing? Our reputation rests on this fact and our laurels have been earned because of only this. Do the prices of the shirts fall in the affordable? As the expression goes ‘sell a Rolls Royce at the price of a Volkswagen’. In other words yes! We are affordable. What else does the store offer apart from the shirts? Silk ties, cufflinks and pocket squares. Elaborate on the variety of your product? We have 700 shirts at any given time in the stores in about 300 colours, with many variations in designs. Our base fabrics are Egyptian cotton, supima, pima and cotton rich fabrics with a range of boski and silk for the discerning customer. Basically we have any fabric a customer wants. We have 300 designs of silk ties which are like a mirage of colour. January 15 - 21, 2012 I 33
Trends
What’s in what’s out
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By Ayesha Nasir
ehyr Anis is a great new addition to the world of fashion. Her sense of style is fresh and innovative; and her silhouette sleek and slim. She designs for the modern women, who like her demand clothes that look good, feel great and can be worn during the day and into the evening. Sehyr Anis gives us her take on fashion trends.
What’s the mood this winter with regards to the fashion industry? Bright and bold colours. What’s the upcoming colour of the season? Tangerine and crimson. There are so many weddings coming up, what colours would you advise for the brides to explore? Red never goes out of vogue and is classic but hues of blues would be nice too. What is the perfect colour for a valima this season? Ivory and jade. Should we expect a comeback of any particular style? Short shirts and cigarette pants. What’s the colour for mehndi? Pink. What’s the must-have bag for this season? Tory Burch. What fabrics, in your opinion are going to be in this winter? Karandis and silks. Are there any colour schemes that you are focusing on for your winter collection? Greens, tangerines and crimson. Are heavy embellishments in fashion this winter? No. Is it churidars or tights for this season? Both. Any striking and recurrent patterns or prints that are popular this season? Animal prints are back. Is it polka dots or stripes for this season? Stripes. What sleeves are in: princess sleeves, sleeveless, churidar sleeves? Straight three quarters.
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Profile
Afreen Shiraz Not your ordinary fashionista
A
freen Shiraz is a demure woman, ultra sophisticated and with a killer sense of style. If you meet her at a coffee party or shopping in Sunday Bazaar, eagerly hunting for pieces of vintage style which can’t be replicated or copied or borrowed, you would want to immediately befriend her. That’s just the kind of person she is: sweet and sincere. ‘I am who I am,’ she says, smiling shyly as she speaks. ‘And for me relationships always come before profits.’And it’s this insistence on caring for people and investing in her relationships with them that has brought Afreen Shiraz as far as she has come: it’s quite a distance that she has covered already. In a city as cut-throat and competitive as Karachi, Afreen Shiraz is competing in two of the most saturated yet growing markets and has made space for herself in both. The Ellemint Salon established about seven years ago, has rapidly become the favourite hangout for super models such as Ayaan and others as well as for actresses Hira Tareen and multiple designers. Her emphasis at the salon is on service: ‘As a woman who enjoys pampering herself, I felt there was a need for a salon where each client would be 46 I January 15 - 21, 2012
By Kanwal Raza
‘I plan to expand Ellemint Prêt and take it to Lahore and other cities as well as abroad,’ said Afreen Shiraz. ‘I have already started the process and recently held an exhibition in Boston which sold out completely. I am planning to do more international exhibitions and for now I am planning an Ellemint Prêt Xmas Fair in Lahore.’
treated like a princess and truly be made to feel special,’ she said. ‘I personally hated going to salons, and have the girls doing my manicure smelling bad and gossiping away instead of attending to my needs.’ With an emphasis on first-rate customer service, Afreen Shiraz established Ellemint Salon in Khadda market, a popular destination for salons in Karachi. ‘I learnt styling, hair dos and makeup from abroad when I took short courses but I had never run a salon all by myself so that was
rather scary,’ she said, looking back on the day she decided to take the plunge and open her first business. Rather than hiring experts to do up the place and train the salon staff Afreen Shiraz chose to trust her own instincts and did the décor by herself. She also trained the staff, maintaining an attention to detail. It turned out that Shiraz had killer instincts because the salon was a huge hit from day one, and ended up becoming one of Karachi’s favourite salons. ‘I love coming here, said Maha Abdul, a regular at the salon. ‘The atmosphere is so comforting and nice and the girls are always so attentive.’ A mere six months ago, Afreen Shiraz was hit by the entrepreneur bug again and decided to open a second business right next to Ellemint Prêt. The second business happened by accident. ‘There was a very sweet shop which came up for rent right next to the salon and I wanted to grab it right away,’ she said. ‘I wasn’t sure what I would do with the shop but I fell in love with the size and layout of the place and wanted it to be mine.’ Initially Afreen Shiraz toyed with the idea of opening up a café or
even possibly expanding her salon but then one night, it suddenly hit her. ‘I had always been interested in fashion and I guess that’s the reason I am in the beauty business,’ she said. ‘I am a huge shopaholic and when I hit a store, I don’t leave without being loaded with shopping bags and parcels.’ A lot of Afreen Shiraz’s friends and regulars at the salon were young designers eager to find a place to stock at, and she felt there was a real need for a multi-brand store which would promote young talent. ‘That was my basic philosophy behind Ellemint Prêt,’ she said. ‘A store where young designers with great products would find a home for their clothes.’ Despite the mushrooming of multi-brand stores in Karachi and the tough competition, Ellemint Prêt has become a favoured hangout for many shoppers. Their emphasis on marketing and the constant series of events Ellemint Prêt has conducted at its premises has helped push the store into the limelight in a very short period of time. ‘I think Ellemint Prêt works so well because I have personal and one-onone relationships with all the designers
who stock here,’ said Shiraz. ‘And I put in effort with each one of them to make sure that their product is right for the Ellemint Prêt customer and that a constant flow of information from the customer to the designer is maintained.’ One of Ellemint Prêt’s newer entrants is Tena Durrani, an extremely hip Karachi-based designer whose soothing colour palette and appliqués have earned her a huge following. ‘I am delighted to be part of the Ellemint Prêt family,’ said Tena Durrani. ‘I really like the layout of the shop and it doesn’t look like a fish market the way other multi brand stores do. Also, I think Ellemint has quickly developed a loyal following and their customers greatly appreciate quality and finishing in a garment.’ After a huge launch when they opened, Afreen Shiraz has been following an ambitious calendar of an event a month and just organized a couple of luxury prêt exhibitions at her stores besides huge multi-designer Eid exhibitons on both Eids. ‘I plan to expand Ellemint Prêt and take it to Lahore and other cities as well as abroad,’ said Afreen Shiraz. ‘I have already started the process and recently held an exhibition in Boston which sold out completely. I am planning to do more international exhibitions and for now I am planning an Ellemint Prêt Xmas Fair in Lahore.’ And with this, we leave Afreen Shiraz merrily running the little kingdom of Ellemint she has developed. This is one fashionista who is here to make waves and create a sensation.
January 15 - 21, 2012 I 47
Lounge Loves
By Sahar Iqbal
Sheep’s Four New Lines
Sheep introduces the launch of four new lines in their store. The four distinct fashion lines are: Black Sheep, Workwear, Smart Casuals and Luxury Prêt. They encompass both eastern as well as western wear. Sheep has also introduced its ‘Shop from Home’ service through Facebook, delivering its products to your doorstep on cash on delivery basis, for all its customers in Pakistan. Sheep will also be expanding their outlets within Karachi with the opening of their new store at Dolmen City Mall.www.houseofSHEEP.com. www.facebook.com/houseofSHEEP
Grab Isma Meer’s latest shoe designs Isma Meer is easily Pakistan’s premier shoe designer whose products are being sought after by women all over Pakistan. Her trousseau collection has now hit the stores in both Lahore and Karachi, and is getting rave reviews. Crafted from genuine leather, the collection is painstakingly and beautifully made and adorned with only the finest of embellishments and stones. Isma Meer shoes can be purchased from her display at Labels, Karachi and Labels, Lahore along with a permanent display at Sania Maskatiya’s flagship outlet on Khyabane-Bukhari. Check out Isma Meer’s facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/ISMA-MEER or email for inquiries on isma.meer@gmail.com
Stella Tauri- revolution in furniture line
Stella Tauri is a new furniture outlet in Lahore. It was started by three housewives as a hobby, and they came up with very different and modern designs. They have used ‘Mother of pearls’ and ‘gold leaves’ in their furniture which gives it a very unique touch. In most of their furniture items they use hand paintings to make their object exclusive and different. 33, A Block E/1, Gulberg III, Lahore.
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Music Review
Lou Reed and Metallica – Lulu Rating: **1/2 a star (0.5/5) Track Picks: Iced Honey
By Kunwar Khuldune Shahid
L
ulu is a strong contender for the worst album ever made in the history of rock music Even Metallica’s detractors – those that scrutinise the music that the band have released in the past couple of decades – would respect their stature in the realm of rock and metal. Metallica are, hands down, the biggest heavy metal band in the history of rock. However with the name ‘Metallica’ comes a responsibility; one that the band have failed to acknowledge for over 20 years now. Nevertheless with ‘Lulu’ not only have Metallica plummeted to the nadir of their own careers, they have also reset the bar for rock music wretchedness. ‘Lulu’ will forever be remembered as the moment when the brains of some of the most legendary rock musicians, detonated in unison – it might just be the worst record ever made. The album is a collaboration effort by the pioneers of two of the most eminent genres in rock music; punk – Lou Reed and thrash metal – Metallica. Lou Reed has done the bizarre, the weird and the wonderful in the past, and had nothing to lose really. On the other hand, Metallica’s imprudence defies belief! ‘Lulu’ is an anthology of excruciating noises and pointless clatter. If push comes to shove, one could even identify rhythm with a flock of crows cawing in unison; but ‘Lulu’ doesn’t give any of us a sniff – although one might observe a few pseudo musical intellectuals blabbing about the ‘abstractness of the art’ in the album. ‘Lulu’ clocks cumbersomely at around 87 minutes; which for those who actually manage to endure the tedious album till
If you are fond of Metallica, music or indeed life; give Lulu a listen and you’ll lose faith in all three of them its final stretch, would seem like twice the time they spent in high-school. One could almost fit in a pair of ‘Ride the Lightnings’ in 87 minutes! There are so many more constructive ways to spend that time, like watching paint dry or clobbering your head with the lower end of a hammer – for the old-school thrash buffs. To hem in the incalculable amount of musical drivel, the album has been divided into two CDs. The most intriguing question the album asks is that which of the two CDs would the listener smash to smithereens first; with both giving each other a run for their money. CD 2 might be the more popular choice, since CD1 has ‘Iced Honey’ and ‘The View’, which are probably the only songs that do manage to penetrate outside the domain of noise pollution, into something bordering on actual music – even if temporarily. Whenever bearable, the songs sound as if two tracks are overlapping each other in a hotchpotch, euphemistically labeled as ‘collaboration’. Oh and ‘Lulu’ is supposed to be a
concept album; one that is based on a German play; hence the abstractness – apparently. Let’s call a ghastly spade a ghastly spade, shall we… ‘Lulu’ is nothing more than an ego fail – a humongous one at that – by a band who have long begun to consider the music that defines them not mature enough to nourish their quasi scholastic needs, and another individual whose middle name is ‘experimentation’. Once the vanguard of the ‘Big Four’ of thrash, Metallica have made a regretful mockery of themselves at a time when Anthrax and Megadeth are coming with humdingers like ‘Worship Music’ and ‘Thirteen’ – Metallica cynics would not let their fans forget ‘Lulu’ easily; oh no they won’t. Metallica need to come up with their strongest record for over twenty years if they want to come of this shambles. Or else, ‘Lulu’ might prove to be that gaping hole that sunk a titanic musical empire. How would you like an 87-minute dose of five men relentlessly scratching a blackboard with their nails? ‘Lulu’ is worse.
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Fashionista Fatima G
From the catwalks of Paris to the Fashion Houses of Milan, walking the streets of New York to the boutique lanes of London, Fatima Khan, fashion stylist, designer, graduate of NCA and The London School of Fashion is a true Fashionista. Her unique esthetic sense, coupled with her experience as a fashion buyer/merchandiser for various Fashion Houses in London has helped to launch herself as a fashion connoisseur par excellence. Meet her every Sunday and learn what’s hot on the high streets in the global fashion village as well as the season’s must-haves and how to wear them.
Tough Leather Get tough with leather trousers, dresses and skirts this season. Rough and tough leather isn’t just for biker chicks anymore. From Alexander Wang to Calvin Klein, the runways saw lots of the formerly bad-girl fabric, now done up with a fetish edge for stylish ladies. It came in all forms like, shorts, trousers, dresses, skirts, jackets and long coats but we’re pleased to find that high street has its own, more reasonably-priced take on the trend so rev up your wardrobe and find out how to make the trend work for your shape.
Runway
Designers are focusing on detailed and grown-up chic with tulle inserts and fetish edge following a season of cozy rusticity and utility short cocktail wear. For modernists the hot looks included, long tunic over flaring trousers in tulle, sheer and print. There is an obsession with straps and bandaging for a dramatic feel and a fetishistic edge for beautifully crafted clothes. Silhouettes are streamlined and refined. This is a season of evening trousers and matching fancy blouses with high necks and long sleeves. The trend was best observed at Giles, Marios Schwab, D&G, Hermès, Topshop Unique, Burberry, Antonio Berardi and Jonathan Saunders. The colours are burgundy, gray, mustard, turquoise, coral, leaf green, rust, sapphire, emerald and purple.
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Fashionista Fatima
Pakistan Fashion Scene Our very own television super star and model, Ayesha Omar had this to say:
‘
I think the latest leather trend is great, as it instantly glams up any look and even one leather item or accessory can work with items. A leather jacket with skinnys or tights and a T-shirt is the best way to wear leather in Pakistan. A pair of high leather boots can also be a great accessory for an evening out.
For my Pakistan
Leather looks super cool when dressed down. If you are busty, thin leather works well so, try the tough fabric in a roomier style. If you want to slim your thighs, opt for A-line cut, keep it simple and avoid zippers coz details draw attention to trouble zones.If you want to mask your tummy, vertical panelling can lengthen rounder torsos and help camouflage belly bulges. Look for tops with inserts of knit fabric. If you are petite, skinny pants look amazing on thinner frames. Look for tailored pieces with well-placed seams or wrapping to give illusion of curves. A yoke halter is a curve-enhancing cut on all chest sizes, & triangle design will also work to create an hourglass shape. If you want to hide your arms, look for styles with sculpted sleeves. Opt for tops where sleeves do not hit the arm at its widest point to avoid looking fleshier.Team leather with basics tees, boots, classic blouses, nude tops with tulle, lace, satin and fluid sheer fabrics to add a luxe and fetish edge.
Key inspirational pieces
Here are some key pieces from international market so you can take the inspiration and translate the upcoming trends into your outfit. A. Embroidered leather biker jacket, Christopher Kane B. Leather and gold-tone stud cuff, Fendi C. Branded metal button gloves, Jaeger D. Stretch black leggings, Oasis
fashionistafatimakhan@gmail.com facebook.com/fashionistafatima January 15 - 21, 2012 I 51
On telling Pakistan’s ‘missing’ story
S
aadia Toor is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York and author of the recently published book ‘The State of Islam: Culture and Cold War Politics’. She speaks to The Review about why she wrote the book, how an alternate history can help Pakistanis see Pakistan and how her own experience with the Left helped understand the deeper roots of what plagues Pakistan. She shares her views about the rise of the right-wing, the influx of NGOs, the contours of gender politics in Pakistan, the relevance of the LeftRight dichotomy, the place of religion within a class struggle and how to revive a progressive politics in Pakistan. Q: Could you tell our readers a bit about your book, ‘The State of Islam: Culture and Cold War Politics in Pakistan.’ What drove you to undertake this project, which in your own words, “is a small attempt to disrupt the mainstream account of
By Zainab Moulvi Pakistani history by offering an alternative narrative?” A: The book has two intended audiences. The first audience is in the United States, where I teach. With Pakistan in focus due to its role in the War on Terror, I find myself constantly struggling against the kind of narrative on Pakistan you find there. Mainstream media predictably tows the official line and newspapers like the New York Times largely mimic what the State department wants told. We are given the same hackneyed narrative: Pakistan was established on the basis of religion which is why it is full of militants who hate the US. A few brave liberal progressives oppose this but, by and large, everyone is irrational. This was expected but what I was taken aback by was that the Leftist Antiwar circles saw Pakistan in the same stereotypes. Academia and alternate circles in the West appeared to lack an alternate narrative to Pakistan and one of the intents of writing this book was to address this lacuna. The second audience lies within Pakistan where even non-Left
progressives, especially liberals, rely upon a unitary narrative of Pakistan, especially a reliance upon an abstract notion of ‘Jinnah’s Pakistan.’ For them, the turning point is Zia. But those who have read history more closely know that the crises today took roots before the Zia era. I do not claim to be offering something radically different but people do not even remember the simple tale I tell. Q: Can you explain what you mean by an ‘alternative history’? A: Well, a part of me intuitively rebelled against such a determinist reading of history which attributed everything to our so called Islamic origins–history is never that simple. During my work with Mazdoor Kisaan Party (MKP), I kept coming across facets of our past that were revelations to me and provided counter points to the dominant narrative that I had encountered till then. My curiosity piqued, I started slowly digging deeper and deeper into our history. Initially I
The missing piece in this story of our past was always the Left. It was mind-boggling that something so rich a part of our history was completely absent from our collective memory! 52 I January 15 - 21, 2012
was just looking at the language issue in detail, and I was astonished at what I was finding, just sifting through the Constituent Assembly debates, newspaper and historical records. It was quite tragic how there had always two or three paths that were open, and that we invariably ended choosing the most disastrous of them all. The moment you start talking about history, the issue of nationalism invariably rears it’s head. But I wanted to go beyond that and examine the vested interests that determined what form of nationalism would dominate. The missing piece in this story of our past was always the Left. It was mindboggling that something so rich a part of our history was completely absent from our collective memory! When I talked to people from my age group, names like the MKP were not a common currency but in conversations with individuals from my parent’s circles, there was much more awareness of the left and engagement with it. Everyone tends to dismiss it as having been organisationally very small and largely under the dictates of Russia and China - but it did have a massive role to play especially in the first couple of decades after that Partition. Left intellectuals have profoundly influenced us, as journalists, writers, activists, artists… Faiz Sahab is the more known of these because in one person he combined of all of these, but there were also people like Abdullah Malik, who I had the great fortune of spending a lot of time with prior to his demise
not just Islam as an ideology, but to Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) in particular. If you study the rise of JI, the roots can be traced back to much before Zia. In fact, one of the first people to contribute to the rise was Mian Mumtaz Daultana who turned to JI as a counter to the forces that were threatening the interests of the landed elite. In a similar vein, the Munir Report found that the Ahmadiyya riots had been largely orchestrated for political gains. JI itself adopted a shrewd long-term strategy – at the time, it knew it couldn’t take on the big boys yet, so it bided its time and started placing its workers and supporters in the lower rungs of the bureaucracy. It is fascinating that across the border, Hindutva did the exact same thing. Eventually, these supporters rose up in the ranks and secured influential positions. Then, of course, external influences play a huge part in this tale – primarily our role as a frontline state and that our leaders have time and time again sold us out to the US. This, in addition to, the substantial amounts of cash flowing in from the Gulf considerably exacerbated the problem. Money makes all the difference. Just look at the recent Difa-e-Pakistan rally organized by Jamaat-ud-Dawa. I have never seen such widespread and impressive propaganda - there isn’t an inch in Lahore on which they haven’t plastered their message. This is partly what I’m trying to argue - there is this constant message that is being drilled into the public with no alternative being offered.
Q: What, in your opinion, are the factors that contributed to the rise of the right-wing? A: One reason why there’s such a large and empty playing field for radical groups is because space was very purposefully and systematically cleared for them by those in power - even those that were purportedly secular. A prime example of this is Ayub Khan who took great pride in his so-called modern outlook. But when push came to shove, everyone of them turned to Islam, and
Q: Given the fluid, multi faceted nature of modern day capitalism and society, how do you understand categories such the ‘Left’ and ‘Right’? How useful is it to continue working in this binary? A: Look, the class structure of society is always in flux, but that doesn’t affect the Left-Right divide. The LeftRight divide, broadly speaking, is about the divide between people who control the resources against those that don’t. We are used to thinking of the right
We are used to thinking of the right as religious fundamentalists only, but the right is much more complex than that. There is a secular right wing that compromises the liberal technocratic class as religious fundamentalists only, but the right is much more complex than that. There is a secular right wing that compromises the liberal technocratic class. This group, while ostensibly being anti-mullah, will gladly join them whenever it fits their agenda. They are basically opportunists. Both groups are right-wing in so far as they stand in the way of the interests of the majority. Then there is the middle class which includes small traders and slightly higher salaried individuals, but the vast majority of Pakistanis don’t fall into either of these groups, the majority are not even part of your formal working class. They have no land, no assets, nothing to fall back on. The problem is that even the interests of middle class are ultimately going to clash with the lower class since the middle class constant orients itself towards the elite in order to emulate them. Whatever radical potential they had in Pakistan was cleverly co-opted by the likes of the Jamaat-i-Islami such as with the trader class. The interesting thing is, when we talking abut the ruling class and liberal elite, we conflate the two – we
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political education. Of course, this differs from NGO to NGO but by and large what happens is that work is done through ‘projects’ and for that they need money. I have had countless conversations with individuals about starting projects and the first question everyone asks is, where will the money come from? It’s become all about writing proposals, getting grants, opening offices. With the mindset that we can not do anything that unless we have the funds is the problem that NGOs have engrained into our psyches and it needs to change.
think that the entire class is ‘liberal’. But the truth is that a large portion of the elite is extremely conservative and reactionary – especially with respect to economic policies. They will support IMF policies, structural programs and neoliberal economic programmes which have dire consequences for ordinary people. Q: In you book, you are quite critical of the dominant NGO culture. Could you expand on this? A: I’ve spent a lot of time working with NGOs, and mind you, ones that were doing good, solid work. My personal experience has been that the NGOs of old were quite different to the ones you will find nowadays. They were much smaller, largely voluntary groups and often with roots in the left. Back in those days they used to operate very differently as well – there wasn’t this concept of it being a 9 to 5 employment. A large part of their work consisted of a direct contact with the people. Nowadays NGO’s are largely based on a hierarchy through which they replicate the class ideology and their approach is largely that of a ‘patronizing benevolence.’ There is the conspicuous absence of any kind of
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Q: Our discourse of gender largely mirrors that of the Zia era when there were two opposing camps, one the Islamists and the second, the liberal feminist NGO workers. Many post-colonial nations have moved on into more nuanced understandings of gender. How do you see the contours of gender discourse in Pakistan today? A: Yes that’s very true, just look at the cutting edge work that’s being done in India. I have a lot of affection and respect for members of WAF and other such NGO workers, but I do think a major shortcoming of their approach was the refusal to take on class issues. Even WAF members themselves will tell you themselves that there was a conscious decision with these organisations to steer clear of working class issues, and I think that was a mistake. Today, NGOs funded by external sources are taking on ‘women’s issues’, which severely undercuts the chances of any radical change coming about. Q: In your opinion, do you think progressive politics should address the subject of religion and strive to explore and articulate alternative understandings of religion? A: The thing about religion is that it has been used and abused so often that it opens up very murky waters. There have been numerous debates within the left about the value of using
the religious idiom, but my experience has been that when you talk to working class people about their day-to-day issues, they rarely bring up the subject of religion. They might want a discourse couched within religious terms, but it is not the fundamental issue for them. In study circles, it is usually university students or traders who bring up the issue of religion. Most certainly there is a leftist ethos in religion, and I don’t mean just Sufism, which has become fashionable these days. It is bandied about as the ideal fusion of modernity and tradition, and sure, that’s valid in so far as it opens up space for alternatives, but it can only go so far. The interesting thing that is glossed over is the Sufi critique of class. No one ever brings up Bulleh Shah’s critique of the propertied classes and his speaking in the voice of the woman –all of which are important political acts that subvert existing oppressive structures. The left in the past was very adroit at dealing with religion. Our generation, especially our class, has not had the background and scholarship to understand it. Our predecessors, Mir, Abdullah Malik, Faiz, all possessed a deep knowledge of Islam and the history of the region. When they talked to people regarding religion, people listened to them. When we try to say something regarding religion, we don’t have sufficient authority and resultantly, it ends up sounding…well, bogus! Q: What do you think is the primary challenge for today’s left? A: A large part of the problem is that public spaces have disappeared there are no spaces in which the cultural elite and masses can meet and interact. The cultural elite have withdrawn to their homes - space, education, entertainment - all has been privatised. This contributes to a mounting sense of alienation. Arif Hasan has done some excellent work on this. Creating spaces is the primary challenge that the left faces today.
Books
Yearning after bygones By Syed Afsar Sajid
M
azhar Mahmood Shirani (b. 1935) belongs to an illustrious lineage of intellectuals and aesthetes like Hafiz Mahmood Shirani (1880-1946) and Akhtar Shirani (1905-48), his grandfather and father respectively. His interests vary from history to literature and lexicology. After retiring from the education department as professor of Persian, he is now engaged in translating the 51-volume Persian dictionary Lughat
Nama-e-Dehkhuda, into Urdu at GC University, Lahore. The book in view is a collection of personal sketches of some twelve celebrities chosen from different walks of life. Their names are: Akhtar Shirani, Mulana Syed Muhammad Yaqub Hasanie (1874-1957), Professor Hameed Ahmad Khan (1903-74), Syed Wazirul Hasan Abedi (1914-79), Hakim Nayyar Wasti (1901-82), Ikram Hasan Khan (1895-1994), Dr. Ziauddin Desai (1925-2002), Mushfiq Khawaja (19352005), Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Khan (19122005), RashId Hasan Khan (1925-2006), Ahmad Nadim Qasmi (1916-2006) and Professor Abdul Waheed Qureshi (19252009). The art of pen-portrayal in Urdu (khaka-nigari) has gradually developed into a popular literary genre. Writers who have excelled in the art include, among others, Manto, Ismat Chughtai, Shahid Ahmad Dehlvi, Shaukat Thanvi, Charagh Hasan Hasrat, Rashid Ahmad Siddiqi, Muhammad Tufail, Syed Zamir Jafri, Farigh Bokhari, Mumtaz Mufti, Hameed Akhtar, Sadiq-ul-Khairi, Mirza Adeeb, Ram Lal, Dr.
Salim Akhtar, Ata-ul-Haq Qasmi, A’waz Sayeed and Sabir Lodhi. Mazhar Mahmood Shirani’s name is a welcome addition to this list. In his prefatorial remarks, he draws a line between a pen-picture and an essay by pronouncing that the former manifests Title: Kahan Say La’un Unhain (Khakay) intimacy of the writer Author: Mazhar Mahmood Shirani with the subject whereas Publisher: Ilqa Publications, 12-K, Gulberg II, the latter shows a formal appreciation analogous Lahore to introduction of the Pages: 285; Price: Rs. 475/subject by him. Titles of the twelve teacher, administrator and, above all, a pieces in the book bear an aphoristic conciseness intended to human being par excellence. The pen-pictures of Hakim Nayyar highlight the salient traits of the subject’s character and conduct. Akhtar Shirani, the Wasti, Mushfiq Khawaja, Dr. Ghulam celebrated romanticist of Urdu poetry, was Mustafa Khan, Ahmad Nadim Qasmi the writer’s father. He has portrayed him as and Prof. Abdul Waheed Qureshi a la a human being with all his weaknesses and Dr. Waheed Qureshi are an interesting virtues. The picture that emerges is one of read in view of their relevance to The anecdotal a forsaken person given to excessive boozing contemporaneity. and yet not devoid of religiosity, paternity, element in the narrative at places serves to enhance its authenticity and appeal. self-censure and philanthropy. Describing Maulana Yaqub Hasanie, Sketches of Syed Wazirul Hasan Abedi, the writer dwells on his qualities as a Ikram Hasan Khan, Dr. Ziauddin religious scholar. We are told that in his Desai and Rashid Hasan Khan are no sermons, the Maulana would always less captivating for their precision and highlight the divine beneficence, grace vividness. There is a consanguinity of and mercy with a view to inspiring ‘tradition and individual talent’ among his audience to renounce vice and all of the twelve personages forming lead a life of virtue. The portraiture the text of the book. With no pretence to idolisation, of Professor Hameed Ahmad Khan is equally winsome. His contemporaries the writer has presented his favourite and students (fortunately this reviewer personalities as men of flesh and blood too had been his student!) would with a remarkable empathy so as to unhesitatingly endorse the views of the persuade the reader to draw his own author as expressed in this part of the cool but untampered conclusions as to book. He was an outstanding scholar, their achievements and failings, if any.
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Reverse Engeneering
Zouk’s Schezuan Soup Ingredients ¼ cup boiled chicken ¼ cup boiled beef ¼ cup shrimps ½ cup chicken stock 1 teaspoon chilli sauce (add 1 tbsp of coarse red chillies, ¼ cup water, pinch of salt, pinch of sugar and 1 tbsp of vinegar in a pan. bring to
a boil and then blend.) 3 tablespoons tomato sauce 1 tablespoon vinegar Salt to taste 5 diced button mushrooms 3 dried black mushrooms 3 tablespoons oyster sauce 1 teaspoon chopped peanuts ½ teaspoon of corn flour
Method: • Take 4 cups of chicken stock in a pan. Add all the ingredients and let it cook for about 30 minutes. • Add corn flour in ¼ cup of water and pour in the soup. Turn off the heat when it gets slightly thick. Serve hot.
Z
By Sadyia Babar
ouk’s Schezuan Soup is a real treat for spice lovers. There’s heaps of good research to suggest that eating soup improves satiety so you eat less and take in fewer calories as a result. It’s thought that when water is consumed separately from food it satisfies thirst not hunger. But when it’s mixed with chunky ingredients, the body handles it like food. A bowl of soup looks substantial, helping to give the impression that it will fill you up. And it takes up a lot of space in your stomach and as your stomach fills up it stimulates stretch receptors that send signals to your brain to let you know that you are full.
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