10 I March 18 - 24, 2012
12 I March 18 - 24, 2012
14 I March 18 - 24, 2012
16 I March 18 - 24, 2012
18 I March 18 - 24, 2012
22 I March 18 - 24, 2012
24 I March 18 - 24, 2012
Lounge Loves
By Sahar Iqbal
Bonanza’s three theme collection This year Bonanza has stayed true to its name, and successfully brought lawn back with a bang! Kamiar Rokni and Bonanza have a great twenty design two colour collection for this year’s lawn season. Kamiar Rokni has envisioned a three story collection for Bonanza lawn 2012. ‘The Romantics’ collection is about feminine and soft lines with a delicate feel. The colours are soft. Bonanza and Kamiar want to avoid too many hard lines and graphic borders. There is a lot of movement and delicacy throughout the collection. Free floating flowers; blow up of flowers, water colour effects and English gardens. ‘The Traditional’ is more traditional line but with a unique twist. The concept is to look at Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage and use traditional textile techniques from this region and use them to create rich dramatic prints. ‘The Modernist’ is meant to be a funky line with a sense of experimentation and fun. It is to be bold and striking. The collection explores colour blocking, interesting geometrics and thinks out of the box!
‘Art Lounge’ for connoisseur ‘Art Lounge’ by Zehra Aslam pays homage to arts and artists as she aims to diversify her field from being a floral designer to a top-notch event planner; this creative lady is now getting into the artistic world. Setting up an art gallery takes a lot of courage and hard work as she aims to set new trends by introducing and promoting new artists as well as presenting the works of established ones. Her art gallery in Model Town is a welcome addition to the city’s landscape; as she displays the current and some old works of artists like A Q Arif, Mashkoor, M Irshad, Sabiha Nasruddin, Naila Kareem, Saba Rasheed, Wajid Yaqub and Ilyas Rana. Her gallery boasts of some beautiful water color paintings by Salman Ahmad and collection of tile work and Allah’s 99 names by Dabeer and Iftikhar. The launch of ‘Art Lounge’ took place on the 5th of March and was widely attended. Address: 106-E Model Town, Lahore.
Colour your nails pink this summer OPI’s Nice Stems is just what you want for your summer makeup look. The collection is fresh, pink and refreshing. It includes four pink polishes with flower themed, play on word names OPI is famous for. These shades range from a soft pink, to a bright, sparkly fuschia, and even includes a glittery pink top coat that adds an extra sparkle to your nails. Come to Poppy is a vibrant coral pink that’s definitely a one-coat wonder! Makeup artists and manicurists all across Pakistan are delighted at the fact that one coat of this polish is as opaque as 3 or 4 coats would be. Be a Dahlia Won’t You? is a bold, shimmery fuschia with lots of gold sparkle. I Lily Love You is a sheer, jelly pink with large rainbow glitter and flake particles. These nail colours are available at all leading spas, salons and retail outlets all across Pakistan.
26 I March 18 - 24, 2012
Style Savvy
2012 Hair Trends
H
By Anab Mehmood ere are some c h i - c h i ponytails, braids, curls and layers in different hair lengths.
Long and bouncy All the women devoted to the bouncy blow outs; don’t turn off your hair dryers yet, for this alluring hairdo is still the new ‘in’. The gorgeous look flatters all types of colours and cuts. Homemade curls Curls have made a comeback! Whether it’s a high tea or an evening party, give yourself a touch of wavy elegance. All you need is a curling rod or a sleek hair iron to create just the perfect locks! French twist Short shirts to long ones, shalwars to trousers; the trend changes every year. But what has come the longest way in the fashion world is the French twist. Side pinned waves Talk about the girlish charm and here come the side pins! A gaudy, yet an easy way to accessorize your hair this spring/summer. Get hold of the various modish pins and embellish your hair of any length or texture. Wet hair Bun Amongst all the wet looks, stands out the wet hair chignon. This doesn’t give you just a refreshed look but also adds to the versatility of the assorted hair styles. Piled up and pinned hairstyle Why let yourself get bothered with the untied clammy hair when the racks are full of most dazzling pins and clips. All you need is to pile up your hair with any of the brooches from that mama’s old accessories box! Chignon with side waves This hair do is best defined as the fashionably done while carelessly undone! Give yourself a vintage look with the hair done and undone theorem. Mod bob A 1960s hairstyle that crowns any outfit with an elegant vibe. This year also the mod bob gets reinvented. Seems like the bob cut lovers will never have to get over with their obsession for this dashing look! Rock crop haircut Talk about the punk star’s hair and the rock crop cut is there! Instead of disappearing the pixie crop has rather been adapted by many devotees overtime. So ladies once again here’s the time to wear the short length in your unique way!
28 I March 18 - 24, 2012
32 I March 18 - 24, 2012
Interview
Sophia Kasuri Early Learning at its best! By Injila Baqir Zeeshan
Mind, body and soul
If you are a loving parent, your first and foremost priority will always be your child. You will be acutely aware of a desire to bring up a well-groomed, decent and smart individual who can face the challenges of modern times and emerge successful in his or her life. Providing your child the best of education and a healthy environment are not the only concerns but for him or her have a well-balanced personality is crucial. But child psychology is after all a very technical subject. With a little professional help from those who know the tricks of the trade, your efforts can go a long way. 80 percent of your baby’s personality is developed in the very early formative years, till he or she is three. With proper guidance, you can ensure that the child’s development is on the right path. And this is what Sophia Kasim Kasuri is dedicated to providing for you and your baby, with the establishment of Gymboree.
Gymboree- beginning learning at the right age
Gymboree, very simply put can be termed an early learning centre. Sophia Kasuri, the director has to her credit the introduction of this first of its kind learning centre in our country. The members, now touching 400, are all aged between zero to five years. The concept behind Gymboree is that children need to be in an environment where they can develop their cognitive and motor skills properly, under the guidance of trained instructors. The parents must stay on along with their child, at least till the age of three. The programme is divided into many levels according to different age groups. But stress is laid on the fact that it is the parents who need
34 I March 18 - 24, 2012
training as well. Sophia tells us, ‘Parents who come in with their children are taught how to teach the children at home through play. They can introduce learning activities in their every day life.’ The sessions carried out over here are two per week. It is optional to increase them to three or decrease them to even one, depending on how much time the parents can afford to spend with the child at Gymboree. ‘This age is just the right time to nurture a child in such a way that you help him or her develop strength of character and personality, traits which will help him become a well rounded individual later in
life,’ says Sophia.
Strictly adhering to international standards Right next to the Beaconhouse Liberty Market, stands the grey and orange building of Gymboree’s first campus. An overwhelming burst of colour greets you as you enter the premises; the main reception area is splashed with live sized posters and Gymboree’s toys. It could excite any child as well as a parent to see such a beautifully designed, clean and well kept place, where you can actually feel that the learning process begins almost
Exhibiting brilliant entrepreneurship, Sophia Kasuri ventured into Early Childhood Training, bringing the concept to Pakistan for the first time on a massive scale. She has received her certification from Gymboree San Francisco and has been running the organisation successfully in Lahore now for about a year March 18 - 24, 2012 I 35
immediately. ‘This is a franchise of the worldwide network of Gymboree which spreads over many countries. Strict quality controls are followed here, monitored by the head office in San Francisco,’ tells Sophia. The training has been developed after years of research, which is an ongoing process at Gymboree’s main office in the US. It is a compulsion for the company that is given the franchise to get approval for the entire design of the building. ‘We sent our plans which included details such as the size of doors as well as plans and measurements of all activity rooms, before we could get approvals and begin construction,’ narrates Sophia. The entire structure has been imported, even the toilets as well the fittings in them, to facilitate maximum adherence to international standards of quality. Sophia Kasuri is the team leader, the director who trains the staff herself and runs the entire show.
How was Gymboree received locally:
36 I March 18 - 24, 2012
I inquire about the response here of people upon hearing that they must take their newly born baby to a learning centre and find out that even though some people may have had some apprehensions, generally the response has been very good. Sophia is quite satisfied and that is the reason why she wants to spread more awareness and expand the business even further.
Not just a fancy idea for the elite:
Gymboree is not obnoxiously expensive. In fact it’s very reasonably priced for the quality and type of facility being provided by them. So in case you were wondering, then don’t be daunted as a session might cost you as little as five thousand a month.
The director’s story:
Sophia comes from a family of industrialists from Karachi. Now a mother of two, she has been married to Kasim Kasuri for the last 10 years. Kasim is the chief executive and her mother-in-law, Nasreen Kasuri is the chairperson of Beaconhouse Group.
‘This age is just the right time to nurture a child in such a way that you help him or her develop strength of character and personality, traits which will help him become a well rounded individual later in life,’ says Sophia.
Her father-in-law is Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, ex-foreign minister. Exhibiting brilliant entrepreneurship, Sophia Kasuri ventured into Early Childhood Training, bringing the concept to Pakistan for the first time on a massive scale. She has received her certification from Gymboree San Francisco and has been running the organisation successfully in Lahore now for about a year. A second campus has also been launched in DHA. When I asked her whose brainwave this was, she told me how it all began. ‘Kasim and I were looking into options of bringing such a project here. I had once had a chance to experience one of these sessions with my children in the US and I had truly been impressed. When we were looking into bringing Gymboree to our country, my mother and father-in-law were in Malaysia and they saw the workings of this
system there and told us how much they also appreciated it. We decided collectively to go into it. Sophia spends an entire working day at Gymboree, conducting trainings and looking after the project. As the facility is for seven days a week, she hardly gets to have any time on her own. She manages to spend an hour or so with the kids right after they come back from school, bringing them home having lunch with them or sometimes bringing them to office if need be. Evenings, she spends with her children at home. She wishes that she had such an option as an early learning centre when her children were growing up, but it’s too late for them, as her daughter is now eight and son is six years old. Which brings me to the question of why must such an overall grooming stop at age five. To this she replies that it’s a question being asked by
It could excite any child as well as a parent to see such a beautifully designed, clean and well kept place, where you can actually feel that the learning process begins almost immediately March 18 - 24, 2012 I 37
Gymboree admirers all over the world and it was raised many times during the international training workshops she regularly attends. Gymboree is working on developing something for older kids now, but at the moment the age limit remains five.
patterns and how to deal with different situations. We instill confidence and courage in the children. We help bring out qualities of debate and leadership in them which only training at home or schools can’t do for you.
If you are wondering why you need to make your child go through this kind of learning at such a young age when the baby cannot even stand on his own feet or communicate much, then here’s your answer in Sophia’s words: ‘In our culture we lay a lot of stress on schooling. The ABCs and 123s are important but what we forget is that a child needs so many more skills to get him through life successfully. Extra curricular activities are crucial. The child needs to be made aware of various behavioural
franchises, which we will be working on soon. But to begin with I would like to first establish three more centres and have a presence in Karachi as well. On a parting note, Sophia expresses her desire to see more awareness among her people about early learning. ‘This is the decade of early childhood learning, and if in most countries the importance of such training is realised, then it’s high time that we did as well. We wish her all the best in her endeavours.
Ambitions in the Early Learning Centre pipeline Sophia wants to establish the centre versus learning at all over the country. ‘We have many home queries from different cities for
38 I March 18 - 24, 2012
Photography: Asmat of AFZL Studio
The child needs to be made aware of various behavioural patterns and how to deal with different situations. We instill confidence and courage in the children. We help bring out qualities of debate and leadership in them which only training at home or schools can’t do for you
Fashionista Fatima Monthly International Trend Guide
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 self proclaimed Fashionista. Her unique aesthetic 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 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.
Modern Couture This trend is a kind of industrial science. Structured forms and hi-tech fabrics propel fashion forward. This season’s sophisticated tailoring is all about balance and proportion. This trend is beautiful, feminine, bold yet subtle. Ladylike glamour and bright colours continue to flow through into this sumptuous season as well as fabulous prints and structured workwear. This season’s smooth and clever tailoring was a huge hit on the runway. Pure, elegant perfection, sleek and clean, crisp lines with fluid fabrics, clever cuts, layering and a distinctly minimalist feel are the key elements to this look. When this season’s look books hit our inbox we fell in love with the fabulous mix of structured tailoring, feminine glamour and an amazing array of footwear. I was truly struck by the structured tailoring especially for the work wear.
Runway
A strong, self-assured womanly silhouette emerges from the catwalks. Get sophisticated this season in the office. Work wear is structured and desirable. The feminine tailoring in Paul Costello’s S/S collection was delightful. You can go from the office to a night out in these gorgeous pieces. Clever cuts soften the feel of strictly tailored ensembles. ‘Keep those heels high: this isn’t about looking masculine, it’s about a great fit and a fearless approach to dressing, without the appearance of the old power suit’ - Todd Lynn. Balance a restrained midi-skirt with a revealing décolletage. Everyone loved the straight lines at Jill Sanders. Balmain’s interpretation with a bright-blue sequinned skirt and angular jacket was also awesome. ‘Structured garments, when properly executed, promote greater POM (problem-oriented method) because there is under structure which ensures the garment hangs from the body properly & accounts for POM with the greatest degree of accuracy.’ I think one of the most widely held assumptions of structured tailoring aficionados is the belief that softly tailored ensembles offer more freedom of movement & comfort than structured clothing. It seems intuitively obvious. However, in my experience, this does not ring true to me. Some other designers who followed this trend are MiuMiu, Prada and Louis Vuitton.
40 I March 18 - 24, 2012
‘
Fashionista Fatima ‘For someone like me who is not into fashion that much, I would say this trend screams elegance and class. I would defiantly go with glossy heels like Fatima did. These articles they keep me up to date about the latest international trends, with a lot of information and tips from the lady herself. It’s a huge help for a girl like me when I’m upgrading my wardrobe.’ Quratulain Balouch Singer/song writer
For my Pakistan
Don’t be afraid to go head-to-toe in this look, in fact this is one of the key features of the trend. If want to opt for the full effect, just don’t forget that this is look will look better when carried head to toe. You can get the results and an impact of this look by the help of accessories. Go for a masculine watch and a simple clutch. The trend for all things masculine is one of our favourites and simple to wear. A crisp cotton shirt buttoned up and worn with tailored trousers is also hot at the moment. A boyfriend blazer and a pair of brogues couldn’t be easier, whatever your shape and size. You can also go for the structured shift dresses and accessorize this look with an oversized bag and some sky-high heels. The colour palette is warmly Autumnal but mixed together in a new way - pair petrol blue with warm brown, or wear navy with a flash of fiery orange if you do not want to go head to toe - or add a dash of leopard print to anything to ensure absolute seasonal definition.
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 1. Check pleated fold dress, £46, Asos 2. NW3 waistcoat dress, £69, Hobbs @ John Lewis 3. Hattendouble breasted check jacket, £125, L.K Bennett 4. Camel wool trousers, £50, Next 5. Pinstripe waistcoat, £62, Toast 6. Marano snakeskin clutch, £395, Anya Hindmarch @ Net-a-porter.com
fashionistafatimakhan@gmail.com facebook.com/fashionistafatima March 18 - 24, 2012 I 41
Revolving exclusively around the pre-teens taste ‘Little Dreams’ offers complete designing of the rooms with pictures and personalised furniture. The children can start makeup their own decisions by picking and choosing the theme of their choice
A
By Rubia Moghees
unique children’s boutique has made way into the city which has literally swept the young and old alike with its fancy detailing, amalgamation of colours, textures and images; hence giving a whole outlook for your child’s little haven. Brainchild of Aysha Haye, a young mother of two daughters who has come up with something extraordinary other than the mundane designing of the clothes that we usually see nowadays. Her showroom is a replica of a fairytale and one is completely entranced with the display of what she has to offer in terms of thematic furniture including a vast range of customized beds, dressers, trunks, storage, stools, chairs, cabinets, wall-units and racks. The young lady
48 I March 18 - 24, 2012
who has done her masters in English Literature along with another degree in Law found it an exasperating experience when she couldn’t find anything in the market that she had envisioned and that is how the idea came to her mind. ‘The aim of such a boutique arose when I could not find the desired stuff for my daughters’ room and the things that were available had absolutely no real feel of being fit for a child,’ says Aysha. Revolving exclusively around the young children’s taste ‘Little Dreams’ offers complete designing of the rooms with images and personalized furniture. The children who are the future can make their own decisions by picking and choosing the theme of their choice. All the nitty gritty is taken care of by complete attention given by Aysha who has put her heart and soul into this very close to her
Profile
‘The aim of such a boutique arose when I could not find the desired stuff for my daughters’ room and the things that were available had absolutely no real feel of being fit for a child,’ says Aysha heart project and her exuberance is very much felt with the way she was dealing with her clients while showing them the display. She is brimming with ideas, open to suggestions and the introductory prices are also within the affordable range. This one stop-shop located near Main Market is a pleasurable experience for anyone who visits it. ‘I have a very talented in-house team along with catalogues, images and ideas for murals so that the clients can select the designs of their liking,’ an excited Aysha Haye disclosed. The rooms that are displayed for all to see are a revelation as they invite attention for their vivacity, intelligent use of colors, sporty look and some very delightful presentations. The adorable arrangements of tea-sets around low sofas and chairs are a must see along with a round of the sea-world themed interior. It has something for everyone as the boys get to choose from the famous Ben 10 to other famous characters. The princess room became a favorite of my daughter as she refused to part away from the dresser and a book corner which had a rack of children’s books lined up. The exciting world of ‘Little Dreams’ has fairies, castles, pirates, jungle
and sea-themes and hosts of many other possibilities that are lined up. An answer to many parents wish; ‘Little Dreams’ is like a platform where one person can make it all happen for you. ‘Why not indulge your kids in something creative and give them the space of their own,’ says Aysha who is passionate about using her experience in a definitive way and fiercely believing that all children are special and each one has the potential to perform. ‘The idea is not to indulge into expensive and ridiculously priced accessories for the sake of an ostentatious display but to create something which is visually and aesthetically pleasing and at the same time light on the pocket,’ she says. Aysha owes a lot to her husband and is keen to praise the support of her parents and in-laws who believed in her talent as she decided to venture into an unknown market. Let’s hope that her efforts are recognized and we wish her all the best for her foray into the children’s world where there will be oodles of creativity and inspiration and her greatest accomplishment will be achieved that is to bring ‘smiles on the children’s faces.’
March 18 - 24, 2012 I 49
Art
‘Silent Poetry’ at its sublime
I
t was Salvador Dali, who experimented with optical possibilities within his Surrealistic frames. That legacy became very popular towards the end of the first half of twentieth century as new groundbreaking findings in the field of psychology were giving strength to the individual and individuality contrary to the everlasting concept of universal reality and mass understanding.
50 I March 18 - 24, 2012
In the field of painting, ‘How to Paint’ was replacing ‘What to Paint’ and the humanistic factor that sprouted out in the Renaissance, got ripe in the 18th century, and it forced the 20thcentury art to be more individual, more personal and more emotional. At one end the art was getting distorted due to the forceful expression of expressionism and at the other end, it was getting twisted and twitched under the non-corporeal ambiance of surrealism.
Pakistan has been a crucible of diverse cultures. It absorbed different tastes of various art movements and painting styles. One can find traces of Realism, Impressionism, Cubism, Expressionism and Surrealism at the same time while the Eastern tradition of Miniature Painting and Calligraphic Art is also alive in the hearts and minds of its inhabitants. Western influences on the Pakistani Art have been due to many factors, Colonialization of South Asia is a core
“I paint from the imagination, and my strong belief is that whatever is in your heart is visible in your work, whether it is in the form of painting, poetry or music. They are all related to one another. You cannot divide them into compartments.”
reason of it. Moreover, the academic or institutional art in Pakistan was impossible without the industrious efforts of mentors like Anna Molka Ahmad and Shakir Ali. Since both academic masters of art were taught and trained in the west, they sowed and watered the fragile plant of academic art in Pakistan which, ultimately got riveted by the western art style and movements. Zarah David is an artist who has this honour of being there at the Fine Arts Department of the Punjab University when Pakistani Art was in its infancy.
Zarah has seen Pakistani Art getting young and mature with every passing year of her age up to the prime level. Zarah is a witness to the development of Landscape Painting in Pakistan that grew with the maestro, Khalid Iqbal while at the same time; she has seen her mother Anna Molka amalgamating her expressionistic technique with indigenous subject matter. She was there when Collin David was exploring the figurative excellence after his academic training, and she was there when Pakistani Art
was getting its earliest shape. Zarah, in an interview has expressed that experience in these words, “Colour has always played a very important part in my life and work. I was surrounded by such different personalities… my mother with her vibrant, strong colours and forceful technique of painting… my teachers like Khalid Iqbal, Colin David and Naseem Qazi, who had a more restrained palette… then I, myself, working for over 20 years as a colour consultant surrounded with colours.” Zarah David has been applying
March 18 - 24, 2012 I 51
colours that seem to unfold the delicacy of a true female painter. Her palette corresponds to a sense of ultimate tranquility in her frames which, capture the onlooker with a fairytale like ambiance. Zarah’s paintings convey the feelings of a fore long journey of human soul and thoughts to the inexplicable shores where existence and extinction embrace each other. “I paint from the imagination, and my strong belief is that whatever is in your heart is visible in your work, whether it is in the form of painting, poetry or music. They are all related to one another. You cannot divide them into compartments.” In her recent show at the Ocean Art Gallery, Zarah has displayed an array of vibrant canvases. We can see the synthesis of orange, red, green and blue, evaporating out and across the limits of the frames. These paintings remind us of the great tradition of Landscape painting that Khalid Iqbal founded at the Fine Arts department of the University of the Punjab. They also make us think of the impressionistic influences that Zubeda Javed explored through her deep colours. They also stir our memory to recall Colin David with his surrealistic ambiance around his masterly crafted figures.
52 I March 18 - 24, 2012
However, among all these greats, Zarah is standing tall with her own evolved style that has shades of these maestros but with its own taste and character.
Books
Of a magazine and two books
Zarnigar Edited by Zia Hussain Zia Zarnigar Book Foundation, Imran Road, Khayaban, Faisalabad Pages: 560; Price: Rs.700/-
Bahawalpur (Khush-hal Riasat say Pasmanda Division Tak) Mujahid Hussain Publisher: Sanjh, 46/2-Mozang Road, Lahore Pages: 272; Price: Rs399/-
Kahani Ghar Edited by Zahid Hasan Publisher: Kahani Ghar, 708- Sabza Zar, Lahore Pages: 156; Price: Rs. 150/-
Reviewing a trio diverse in nature
T
By Syed Afsar Sajid hree miscellaneous publications form the subject of this review. Zarnigar (a literary magazine published from Faisalabad)) is now a familiar but
prestigious name in the Urdu literary circles in and outside the country. Freelance journalist Mujahid Hussain (Brussels, Belgium) from Pakistan has authored an absorbing account of Bahawalpur in his book of the same title, in the backdrop of its past
and present. Well known writer and poet Zahid Hasan has brought out the maiden issue of a fictional series titled Kahani Ghar containing diverse material on fiction – both short story and novel. Zarnigar
March 18 - 24, 2012 I 53
‘The study is focused on the thesis that the region of Bahawalpur was far more prosperous and progressive in the era when it enjoyed the status of an autonomous state than what it is now as an administrative division of the province of Punjab’ Zarnigar owes its emergence and evolution to the celebrated literary all- rounder, (Allama) Zia Hussain Zia. Its current issue carries an assortment of literary stuff categorized under different innovative headings. The editorial of the magazine couched in a stylistic phraseology, is as usual thought-provoking with a manifest focus on contemporary literary issues including its raison d’etre. The cream of the issue lies in the portion titled ‘Mohasil-e-Adab’ which comprises a body of critical writings from, among others, Anwar Sadeed (Allama Iqbal – Aina-e-Farzand May), Qazi Javed (Raushan Khayali: Tareekh aur Asasi Tasavvurat), Aslam Ansari (Ranj-oAlam ki Badani aur Nafsiyati Asas aur Fikr-e-Insani ki Tareekh may Aham Nazriyat-e-Alam), Khalid Iqbal Yasir (Globalization, Adab aur Seqafat), Parto Rohilla (Ghalib ki Zindagi kay Teen Aham Faislay), Syed Tasneef Haider (Faiz Ahmad Faiz aur Sha’ire-Sadi ki Kashmakash), and Professor Lala Rukh Bokhari (SumeriTehzeeb kay Adab Paaray). The article on Faiz bears the touch of a literary iconoclast who has the audacity to challenge, rightly or wrongly, the established literary conventions and beliefs in an accent signifying exposition, not under-estimation. The fiction part of the magazine comprises contributions by writers of the calibre of Syed Fazal Hussain, Rashid Amjad, Ahmad Sagheer Siddiqi, Munazza Salim, Tahira Iqbal, Durdana Nosheen Khan and Salma Awan. The poetry section contains nazms and ghazals by Aftab Iqbal Shamim, Amjad Islam Amjad, Afsar Sajid, Ayub Khawar, Faheem Shanas Kazmi, Anwar Sadeed, Iqtidar Javed, Mah Tal’at Zahidi, Uzma Naqvi, Asnath Kanwal, Masooma Shirazi, Rifat Naheed, Anwar Sha’ur, Akbar Hamidi,
54 I March 18 - 24, 2012
Naseer Ahmad Nasir, Anwar Masood, Syed Tabish Alwari, Parvin Sajjal, Syed Nawab Haider Naqvi, Khurshid Beg Mailsivi, Dr. Syed Qasim Jalal, Najma Yasmin Yusuf, Dr. Mohsin Maghiana, Sohail Akhtar, Nasim Kazmi, Imran Naqvi, Mian Aftab Ahmad, Ali Jafar Zia, Ali Ammar Zia, Ali Zain Zia and others. Literary essays (both personal and expository) by Dr. Muhammad Ali Siddiqui, Shabnam Shakil, M. Mobin, Fatima Hasan and Muhammad Ajmal Sarosh together with special features on Zafar Iqbal, Faisal Ajami, Abbas Tabish, Jalil Aali, Rahman Fars, Afsar Sajid and Kishwar Naheed speak for the editorial skill and innovation of Zia Hussain Zia. Despite the estimable quality of its content, the journal however needs improvement in the areas of formatting, proof-reading and cataloguing apart from reduction in bulk. Bahawalpur The instant book, authored by Mujahid Hussain, is a critical study of the geopolitical history of Bahawalpur. Apart from the foreword and bibliographical references, it has some eighteen chapters dealing separately with themes like Bahawalpur and the Sindh valley; the Hakra basin and its culture; Cholistan; the reign of the Abbasid rulers; political history of the region; a detailed account of its irrigation, education and judicial systems; an account of two notorious criminal cases viz., the sedition case of 1939 against the Muslim populist elements in the State and the Martial Law case of 1970 against the organizers of the movement for establishment of a province replicating the Bahawalpur Division; the present and past of this Tehrik; and a brief sociological survey of southern Punjab. The study is focused on the thesis that the region of Bahawalpur was far more
prosperous and progressive in the era when it enjoyed the status of an autonomous state than what it is now as an administrative division of the province of Punjab. Hence the author’s plea for restoration of its past status, re-designated as a province at par with other federating units within the national polity. Kahani Ghar Zahid Hasan is a talented bilingual poet and fiction writer. Inspired by the veteran writer, poet and critic Muhammad Salim-ur-Rahman’s commitment to the art of story telling, he has launched the present ‘book series’ to generate readers’ interest in the fictive art. Renowned litterateurs Afzal Ahsan Randhawa, Parvin Malik, Wajahat Masood and Dr. Zia-ulHasan, among others, happen to be on its advisory/editorial board. The contents of the book include an interview with the renowned Colombian fiction writer and Nobel Laureate, Gabriel Garcia Marquez (b. 1927); some short stories and excerpts from novels; a section on the noted Urdu-Hindi fiction writer Upendranath Ashk (1910-96) highlighting specimens of his work and estimation of his person and art by Balwant Singh, Krishan Chander, and his spouse Kaushaliya Ashk, and also his interview by Dr. Asif Farrukhi; an unpublished essay on Khan Muhammad Fazlurrahman’s Urdu novel Afat ka Tukra (1962), by Khalil Ahmad; an essay on Prof. Najma Sohail’s fiction by Dr. Bilal Sohail; besides Parvin Malik and Javed Chaudhry’s concise but apt reviews of some fresh publications in the domain of fiction. To sum up, this book as well as subsequent books in the series, is likely to benefit students and lovers of fiction alike for its variegated content and approach.
March 18 - 24, 2012 I 55
Interview
Dedicated Dedicated to to beauty beauty and and healing healing We give our patients personalized services; provide extremely hygienic environment and care. We don’t work for money here. In fact I send 70% of the people back, because what they want is either not needed or is harmful for them
D By Saman Asif
id you know you can now have liposuction along with body contouring in the same procedure? That is exactly how Dr Usman explains it. Dr Usman Bashir Tahir is Pakistan’s only qualified Vaser Hi-Definition surgeon and is trained by the inventor of this procedure himself. Vaser liposuction is the most ground-breaking innovation in the field of aesthetic surgery. Apart from this Dr Usman also does all sorts of plastic surgeries in his own clinic. A man inspired by beauty, for him surgery
56 I March 18 - 24, 2012
is a beautiful blend of art and science. His reward is not money but his patients restoring their lives to a beautiful start after various surgical and non surgical treatments he offers. Following are excerpts from his interview that carry interesting as well as saddening facts about the surgeries taking place in our country: What’s the difference between aesthetic and reconstructive surgery? Aesthetic surgery uses techniques that enhances your appearance. Some procedures are surgical; such as facelift
Profile
or rhinoplasty and the others are nonsurgical such as Botox, laser etc. Whereas, in reconstructive surgery, you perform surgeries to correct impairments caused by burns, congenital abnormalities etc. The acid-attack survivors in ‘Saving Face’ had also undergone the same reconstructive surgery. You are Pakistan’s only qualified Vaser-hi definition liposculpture surgeon, can you please enlighten us that how this technique is different from the traditional liposuction? Liposuction removes the fat by infiltrating local anesthesia in the patient. Vaser is an Ultrasonic Liposuction that uses ultrasonic energy to liquefy the fats. Ultrasonic energy is friendly with nerves and tightens your skin giving your body a nice contouring. Vaser is done in an artistic way; we can sculpture down from your back, thighs, etc. It costs double the amount of traditional liposuction. Tell us about the monumental hand replant you conducted. It was an eight hour reconstructive surgery performed on a young boy. His hand got sliced in such a way that his wrist was unattached. We replanted the nerves, arteries etc and joined the wrist back. Today his hand works normally. How has your journey been from Al-Raazi to Halcyon Medicare? Al-Raazi being my brainchild was a preventative facility that provided facilities of all the medical tests. I resigned from there after two years because I wanted to have a place where I could practice my own vision. That is when I created my clinic called Halcyon Medicare. Halcyon is a modern
Dr Usman Bashir Tahir is Pakistan’s only qualified Vaser Hi-Definition surgeon and is trained by the inventor of this procedure himself. Vaser liposuction is the most ground-breaking innovation in the field of aesthetic surgery clinic located in a discreet location just off MM Alam road. This facility offers all sorts of surgeries, transplants, laser and med spa services. The clinic also has nutritionists, cardiologists, dentists etc. We give our patients personalized services; provide extremely hygienic environment and care. We don’t work for money here. In fact I send 70% of the people back, because what they want is either not needed or is harmful for them. We practice keeping the ethics in mind. Are some of the practices being carried out by other local surgeons life threatening? I will give you an example. An 18 year old girl had undergone breast augmentation and liposuction without the consent of her parents, by a doctor who was not even certified. Consequently, she started having medical issues and then I operated upon her. It’s requested that before going to a surgeon make sure he is certified, has a background in training and is registered in Pakistan Medical and Dental Council. Is your personal life as happening as your professional life? I am an introvert and enjoy spending time with my wife and family. In my free time, I do sketching and sculpture. I have a strong inborn aesthetic sense which has paved the way for my career. In spite of getting several lucrative offers I chose to serve my people and bring a positive change in my country.
March 18 - 24, 2012 I 57
58 I March 18 - 24, 2012