TheNation
september 11, 2011
interview
imran khan will he be the harbinger of change?
RENDEZVOUS
Curtain Raiser: KARACHI -The Musical
NIDA BUTT TRAVEL
The legend of
mons n fusion KAAM Balochistan TRAVEL
Breath taking
STYLE | TRENDS | BOOKS | INTERVIEWS | art | q&A | SOCIETY
inside this week September 11, 2011
Interview
Khan talks about his vision of a better and 08 Imran prosperous Pakistan
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Feature
Boy scouting is a widely followed trend in many countries but seldomly seen in Pakistan
Decor
Read how one can brighten up a child’s room with different themes
Rendezvous
Nida Butt expresses her thought on her past shows and her upcoming musical project
18 Karachi - The musical
08 will he be the harbinger of change?
Rendezvous
30
interview
Movie
Review of the latest Hollywood flick to hit theatres this week
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Editor’s note Dear readers we are back with another exciting issue of Sunday Plus. This week we are in conversation with Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Imran Khan about his political career and his ambition to change the political culture of Pakistan. Meet Nida Butt the director and producer of musical plays ‘Chicago’ and ‘Mama Mia’. Read a special report on the nation building role of scouts in Pakistan. Take a tour with us to the breath taking land of Balochistan and experience the raw beauty and charming culture of land long forgotten. Liver transplant is now possible in Pakistan. Read our special report on the new development. Read about the romance of Monsoon and various myths and legends associated with the season. On our style pages see KAAM’s new collection as it fuses different crafts of Pakistan with modern fashion. Also on the style pages see young designer Aliya Chaudhry new collection wherein she explores fashion’s new dimensions for the urban woman.
Food
Discover Mrs. Azra’s cooking experiences and get to learn some necessary kitchen tips
Style
Horoscope KAAM’s collection as it fuses different 34 See Astrological forecast for the week 62 crafts of Pakistan with modern fashion Feature
TheNation
Sunday plus
Picks of the week
hepatitis is a life-threatening disease 64 Go through the smart wish-list for the 50 Viral leading to liver malfunction best buys and best picks for everyone
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Send us your comments and feedback at splus@nation.com.pk
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Editor-in-Chief Majid Nizami Deputy Managing Director Rameeza Nizami Editor The Nation Salim Bokhari Editor Magazine: Emanuel Sarfraz Editorial Staff: Bishakha Khadka Kunwar, Madiha Syedain, Sadaf Pervez & Navirah Zafar Creative Head: Faiz-ur-Rehman Creative Team: Shoaib Qadir, Faisal Fazal, HM. Nouman For advertising: Bilal Mahmood, 0300 - 8493206 Muhammad Zaeem 0301 - 8463306 Salman Ahmed 0300 - 4116792 Shiraz Akbar 0333 - 2310851 Khalid Sheikh 0345-5130728
INTERVIEW
By Emanuel Sarfraz
08 SuNday Plus September 11, 2011
INTERVIEW
Willhebethe
harbingerof
Winds of change are sweeping across the globe. Pakistan also faces a number of internal and external challenges and crises. The war on terror has damaged the national economy and social fabric of our society. Terrorism and the deteriorating law and order situation is alarming. Economic growth has slowed down due to an acute energy crisis. The government has failed to deliver on all fronts in the last three years. Frustrated with the situation some people have gone to the extent of saying that democracy has failed in Pakistan. Most of the political parties are in power, whether at the national or provincial level. Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf’s Imran Khan stands alone in this bleak landscape. He believes that it is time for change in Pakistan and his party will be the best choice in the next general election as all other political forces have been given an opportunity to rule but miserably failed to do so.
change? T
alking to Sunday Plus at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore, Imran Khan said the time for change has come. “People are fed up with the rulers and their callous approach to the problems being faced by them. I assure you that wave is coming, which will be bigger than the one that blew in 1970 and brought ZA Bhutto to power. People want change and it will definitely come. “Young people are hardcore fans of PTI. Their passion, their ‘junoon’ knows no bounds. One can imagine the role they can play in bringing change. The same cannot be expected of the workers of other political parties who are paid to attend public meetings. “When we come into power we will give the youth responsibilities and that will bring about the revolution. For example the government has cut down the budget
of education sector especially the higher education, which is a deplorable act. When we come in power we will impose education emergency in the country. That is where our young people can play an important role. Then we can launch forestation campaigns in which youth would have the leading role. You should not forget that more than half of the population is youth,” Khan said. On a query whether he believed in realpolitik, that is playing politics based on power rather than ideals, the PTI chairman said he did not believe in such politics. “I will never indulge in politics for power. My point of view is that it should all be based on national interest. There should not be any vested interest. This is what has been happening here. This so-called politics of reconciliation is just to appease some people. Those who say there is no last word in politics are basically corrupt people and work for their own vested September 11, 2011 SuNday Plus 09
INTERVIEW
interests. National interest is supreme. ,” he explained. On a query as to why the PTI was taking a solo flight and not making alliances with other parties, Khan was of the view that it was a wrong impression being created about his party. “We will never go for alliance with parties in power as all their leaders are corrupt to the core. We would go for alliance with the nationalist parties in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa. The people of Balochistan have many grievances and we would definitely be going into alliance with the nationalist parties. There is no wrong in thinking of the other person being different but at least they are not corrupt,”
I assure you that coming into power we would ensure taxation, which means all the moneyed class and the ruling elite that is not paying taxes would start paying taxes. We do not need foreign aid after that. Look at the success stories in our own region and see how countries with good leadership have done wonders. 10 SuNday Plus September 04, 2011
Khan was of the view. Further explaining his point of view the PTI leader said his only demand was that all the parliamentarians should declare their assets. “81 per cent of parliamentarians do no pay taxes. They are not willing to do this because they are all corrupt. They move around in expensive cars, live in grand bungalows and farm houses on hundreds of acres of land. But only few thousands of rupees are paid in taxes. “You can check their assets before they came into power and compare them with their current assets of today. There is a huge difference. How did they make so much money in such a short time? Corruption comes when there is no justice. The cancer of corruption needs urgent surgery. Otherwise things would collapse. “I assure you that coming into power we would ensure taxation, which means all the moneyed class and the ruling elite that is not paying taxes would start paying taxes. We do not need foreign aid after that. Look at the success stories in our own region and see how countries with good leadership have done wonders. Malaysia, Singapore and Turkey are examples in our region. These countries have shown that development and progress is possible only if the leadership is good,” Khan said. The PTI leader was of the firm belief that
only the police could bring about peace in Karachi. According to him the rangers and army were not meant to do police work and should never be deputed in cities. “MQM, PPP and ANP have militant groups. This trend was started by MQM. The other parties started this later. When we established PTI in Karachi, people urged us to also form a militant group to support the party. We did not agree to starting militant group. The militants groups are no longer under the command of parties but are in fact dictating to the leadership of these parties. “According to a survey conducted by Rand Corporation, in 93 per cent of cases around the world the police have been successful in maintaining law and order rather than armed forces. You have to have an independent police force that is not subservient to any political party. The policemen know who are the miscreants and criminal elements in every area. If they are impartial and willing to clean up the city they can do so. “Similarly you have to bring in noncontroversial people and impose Governor’s rule to ensure peace. Our opponents have alleged that perhaps we want to come into power as an alternative. No that is not so we just want to ensure that peace returns to Karachi,” Khan explained. About dharna politics and his quest to
INTERVIEW The war on terror is not our war. We have to disengage from USA and stand on our own feet. I am not saying that we break our relations with USA. We should keep a relationship but on equal footing. It is time we stop begging as this aid has never helped in the development of country. stop drone attacks, the PTI leader said he wanted to expose the rulers. “There is no country in the world that asks some other state to bomb its citizens. Pakistan is allowing the USA to bomb its citizens. The day our parliament passed a resolution against the drone attacks the very next day Americans carried out another attack. This shows they have no respect for our parliament and democratic system. “The war on terror is not our war. We
12 SuNday Plus September 11, 2011
have to disengage from USA and stand on our own feet. I am not saying that we break our relations with USA. We should keep a relationship but on equal footing. It is time we stop begging as this aid has never helped in the development of country. “The US aid has destroyed us. So far USA has given us $ 20 billion aid in the war on terror. Where has it gone? None of it trickled down to the people. The accountability has to start from the self. I challenge rulers to start accountability. The war on terror has increased radicalization in country. It is high time to disengage from USA. About these radical outfits we will deal with them ourselves,” Khan was of the view. About the situation in Kashmir and how the issue can be resolved, Khan said first we have to be strong to talk to India. “India sees itself as a power and eyes Pakistan as a failed state. We have to first strengthen ourselves. Then India would be ready to talk to us. “Also we need to take a principled stand. We have to get back to the 1948 UN resolution. Kashmir issue can be resolved by
following the UN resolution,” he said. Imran Khan is very optimistic about the future of Pakistan and hopes to be the forerunner of positive change. “Elections under Asif Ali Zardari, who will still be President of Pakistan, will never be fair and transparent. We demand that the elections be held under the supervision of Supreme Court. An independent election commission should be established. If this does not happen there cannot be any independent election in the country. PPP is not popular and still it is winning the by elections. We have serious concerns and will not allow elections under Zardari at any cost,” Khan maintained. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf is growing as its membership grows. But it still has a long way to go. Cricket hero Imran Khan is a positive person and has to gather a good team of politicians if it wants to make an impact in the next general election. As per the indicators, however, one thing is for sure that political landscape of Pakistan is definitely going to change. Perhaps Imran Khan’s promise may come to be true.
HHH
IN FOCUS
By Talal Raza
the role of scouting in
nation building Once upon a time, there used to be a thing called “scouting” in the life of a student, which was regarded as an essential part of a child’s education, that provided a sound foundation to not only his physical needs but to the intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs and that prepared him to live with discipline no matter where he may have to survive.
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oday the trend has changed. Many students today have probably never heard about scouting and its role in grooming personality. Boy scouting is a widely followed trend in many countries of the world. Many countries have Boy Scout Associations that arrange different activities in their respective countries. Young boy scouts go camping, plant trees, learn disaster management skills and many other things keeping in view the needs of every community and opportunities available. In Pakistan, boy scouting is as old as the history of Pakistan itself. In 1947, the first to wave the flag of Pakistan before its creation at a major international forum were boy scouts, while participating in the World 14 SuNday Plus September 11, 2011
Jamboree in France. When Pakistan sought independence, boy scouts were ready to receive the migrants with open arms. “After Independence, when migrants came to Pakistan after crossing Wagah Border, the boy scouts provided camps to them and served them day and night,” Circuit Organizer Punjab Boy Scouts Association Adil Farooq said while talking to this scribe. Even after Independence, scouting remained a popular activity for quite some time, especially in our schools and colleges. “Scouting received much attention during the time of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Zia Ul Haq, as they themselves were scouts,” Farooq said. “Not only that, the Pakistani government
IN FOCUS
Scouting can play a very vital role in forming the character of our youth, promoting their physical, mental and spiritual development and making them well disciplined, useful and good citizen. also managed to establish the long awaited Pakistan Scouts Cadet College Batrasi near Manshera in 1996. However, something didn’t quite go right as we came close to the 21st century. “Unfortunately, for the past few years, scouting today is diminishing from the lives of our Pakistani youth. The race to get high marks and the lust to make money has taken control of the minds of our youth. “Not only that, parents and teachers, who are supposed to guide their children towards healthy activities are more marks-oriented nowadays. In fact, they make a child think that only A grades, positions and 90 per cent marks are more important for a student than anything else. Everyone focuses on a child’s education at the cost of his grooming,” Farooq said. As more private institutions mushroomed during the last two decades, hardly any paid attention towards it. “It is the private institutions that never come forward for such activities. Otherwise, we would be happy to include them in our regiment,” says Farooq. Also schools like Cathedral School and St. Anthony that used to have boy scouts have stopped such activities. It should be noted that scouting itself is a misconceived term and many people confuse scouting with physical training only. A scout is trained and groomed in four areas, intellectual, spiritual, social and physical development. In fact, scouting for the most part is not about building muscle or going through routine
physical training, rather it is about enriching the personality with traits that makes one a productive citizen. Its main focus is on instilling the spirit of service for everyone including man, environment and animals. “People think that scouting takes a lot of time and is just a physical training, but the fact is, even if you remove a pellet from the footpath, help your parents at home or get somebody a glass of water, everything you do for the betterment of society is scouting,” Farooq said. At present, most of our youth (that makes up nearly 60 per cent of our population) lack the disciplines and the moralities that were once learnt through scouting. Also, they are not fully equipped with skills that they might need in the time of emergency or war. No doubt, many of them are still patriotic and might want to do a lot of things for the country but the discipline required to serve the society needs to be learnt. The need is to revive the spirit of scouting in the society and urge our young generation to participate in the activities. If we are successful in boosting that spirit and reviving the trend, not only would our youngsters be better prepared for the service of Pakistan but many social evils of society will also be combated by these exemplary citizens.
Quaid-e-Azam (Dec, 1947)
HHH September 11, 2011 SuNday Plus 15
decore
Little luxuries: how to decorate children’s rooms
A child’s room is a place where they can do all kinds of activities, from playing to and spending quality time with friends etc. It is very easy to get carried away while planning a perfect room decoration theme. Here is your guide.
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f you want your child’s room to reflect your sense of aesthetics and at the same time provide the right kind of ambiance for your growing children then you should do a lot of planning before you actually start decorating. When it comes to decorating children’s rooms, you have to be careful to maintain a certain budget so that it does not cost you a fortune. Appropriate room decoration for children will help to ignite their imagination and at the same time develop their personalities. Following are some innovative and novel ideas for decorating, which can make the space of your little one a memorable one. • While decorating the bedroom, the initial step is choosing the right colours.
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Try to keep the colour palette in lighter tones, not very dark or dull because you have to give life to the room as it affects the child’s mind while he/she is growing. The environment should be entertaining and comfortable. You can paint their walls with some of their favourite cartoon or fairytale characters, flowers, butterflies, fishes or opt for a fully themed room. The ceiling can also be painted sky theme like fluorescent plotted planets and stars for a dreamy touch. l Another good beginning point is to start with their favourite activity or toy or even character. Remember that many items of interest to children are topics
that will change with time so try to take advantage of their interest and play with accessories which are easy to replace in future. l Bedding is an important feature in the room. The bed for your child should be low and quite plump, softly designed and cushioned as this would make him/ her feel more comfortable and relaxed. There is a great variety of beds available for kids like; canopy beds, bunk beds, race car beds and fantasy beds. l You can go for any shape as per your child's liking. The colour of the bed should be colourful and bright which makes the room look big and lively. The flooring of the kids room should be such
A living legend
Bathroom
Accessories
When redesigning your child’s room, don’t forget the bathroom! Here are some cheap and cheerful picks to jazz up the joint. Shower curtain: A shower curtain is one of the very first items that a person sees when entering the bathroom. Curtains with depictions of fish, cartoon characters, or dinosaurs are all popular among children.
that it can be easily kept clean. Carpeting the whole room with matching furnishing is not a good idea; stains and dust mites can cause allergic reactions in kids. l The fabrics used in the room should also be given due importance. Washable, good, long lasting material is always preferable. Room decor can't be complete without chairs and table, there are lots of designs available. The table must be a large space with drawers and open work areas. For the chairs you can go for different designs and styles but make sure the chairs are comfortable enough to allow the right kind of posture while studying.
l Fancy wall clocks, animated bed lamps and various types of wind chimes and wall hangings matching the room theme are other add-ons that enhance the environment. l Another very important aspect is the washroom. Again, with the theme of the bed room. Cleanliness is a major factor to be kept in mind as kids get various diseases just because of un-hygienic conditions. Bath decor should be fun, but also practical and safe. Make sure when choosing kids bath decor you keep the age and gender in mind. Do keep mats that help from slipping.
Toothbrush holder: These can be quite simple, but they definitely don’t need to be. Girls love things like barbie toothbrush holders while boys would prefer things like superman or spiderman brush holders. Towels: Even though these items are often moved in and out of the bathroom, that doesn’t mean that they cannot be used as kids’ bathroom décor. Kids love to see towels that have cartoon characters, team logos or superheroes on them. There are certainly many other kids’ bathroom décor items available, but this guide should give you a nice starting point.
September 11, 2011 Sunday Plus 17
RENDEZVOUS
By Bishakha Kunwar
…I know a girl A girl who lands on top You could put her face Into a pail of slop And she’d come up smelling like a rose How she does it, heaven knows…” - Velma Kelly, Chicago
18 SuNday Plus September 11, 2011
RENDEZVOUS
Curtain Raiser:
KARACHI -The Musical So begins the song from the famous Broadway musical play CHICAGO, the rendition of which was directed, choreographed, produced and showcased for the very first time in Pakistan by Nida Butt in 2008, who played the character of Velma Kelly on stage. These lyrics are especially appropriate for Nida who, despite the initial dissuasion from the theatre stalwarts and a loss of handsome amount in Lahore while showcasing Chicago, still managed to rise like a phoenix from the ashes and present yet another spectacular musical: Phyllida Lloyd’s Mama Mia, based on the songs of ABBA, the very next year and came up smelling like a rose indeed.
A
Nida Butt
t a relatively young age, Nida Butt has made quite a name for herself in the Pakistani theatre scene over the past decade. She’s worked her magic on a repertoire of musical hit plays like Chicago, Mama Mia to name just a few. The audiences seem to love her work. And it’s not hard to see why. Her plays are indeed the pioneers of live musicals in Pakistan where actors and actresses sing live as they act, unlike the recorded CD versions done by other production houses. No one could ever imagine that this young lawyer with no formal training in theatre would present smash hit musicals in Pakistan and be the harbinger of musical revolution. Over the years, Nida has become an accomplished director and producer in Pakistan who has infused her signature style into her
plays. Nida’s career turned the corner when she began her first professional theater gig with Shah Sharabeels’ CD version production of Phantom of the Opera in 2003. She started her career as Legal Coordinator at Aahung in 2004. In 2006 she went on to produce THE PRODUCERS, a liaison between MFS Productions and FLAME (NGO). Under the aegis of her newly established company, Made for Stage Productions, founded in 2007, Nida entered the world of musical theatre as a director, producer and choreographer and hit the stage with CHICAGO in 2008 and hasn’t looked back since then. Anyone who has witnessed her as Velma Kelly in Chicago and her passion for production will attest to the fact that she puts her absolute all into everything she does. Nida has just finished working on a new musical and is ready to make the audiences swoon with Pakistan’s first original Urdu musical, KARACHI-THE MUSICAL, in collaboration with her husband Hamza Jafri who has composed all the music. Unlike her past renditions of Chicago and Mama Mia, which were adaptations from Broadway, this musical about Karachi is purely in Urdu and is based on the reality that prevails. In it she uses the sport, boxing, as an allegory of hope, love, defeat and triumph. Sunday Plus caught up with Nida to talk about her past shows and her upcoming musical project. Not only is she beautiful, smart and talented, but her passion for theatre is contagious. September 11, 2011 SuNday Plus 19
RENDEZVOUS S+: Tell us something about yourself? What got you started? What was your big breakthrough? Nida Butt: Have I broken through? There’s still so much left to accomplish, still so many targets and goals left – it’s a work in progress – I am a work in progress. S+: So tell us about your new project, KARACHI-THE MUSICAL? What do you have in store for us this time? We hear that you have used actors from Lyari, why? What are you most excited about with this show? Nida Butt: It is Pakistan’s first original full blown musical. All the music has been composed by Hamza Jafri and we are releasing Volume 1 of the Soundtrack on Opening Night plus one song called Karachi is being released nationwide on radio and TV as well. I have done the video myself. It’s a story about hope and love – a story about defeat and triumph – a story about our times – in this amazing city called Karachi. A story about the ground reality of living here and of course let’s not forget boxing! Boxing – a sport long forgotten but one that has won more medals for Pakistan than any other sport. As for using actors from Lyari, it wasn’t a conscious effort. I simply picked the best talent I saw. We auditioned over 200 persons and selected 15. I am honored to work with such a talented cast. They teach me something everyday. S+: How is this musical different from Chicago and Mama Mia? Why did you decide to switch from English to Urdu musical? Nida: Let’s talk about what’s similar: there is music, dance and live music. I had an idea about a musical that centered on boxing in Lyari. Naturally the only way to remain authentic was to do it in Urdu so the language switch happened naturally. S+: The songs sound amazing! Secret? Nida: My husband Hamza Jafri has composed all 12 songs. The man has mad talent. S+: What’s your background and training in theatre and dancing? How did you get where you are? Nida: The only training I have had is in Law. I have Masters in Human Rights Law. Theater and dancing are art forms and I think going to school for them is not necessary – but a luxury. I work purely on instinct 20 SuNday Plus September 04, 2011
and my passion drives the car. S+: Challenges and obstacles that you have faced so far… Nida: This could fill a book! Unethical cast members who have doubled their prices or threatened to walk only two weeks before the opening night, cancelled venue and having to shift days before the opening night, partners who haven’t paid what they had promised (nobody in Karachi mind you!) the list is endless… Morals and ethics don’t guide the performing arts industry here, only self-interests do. So it is best to learn to protect our own interest or be swallowed by the sharks. S+: Tell us about MAD School. Nida: As MAD as it sounds, it is Music, Art and Dance School, set up by my husband Hamza Jafri and myself. Hamza opened a music school in Lahore in 2009, The Guitar School, and last year we decided why not set up a similar institution in Karachi. Both schools’ mission is to provide arts education to children and young adults and to develop and foster young performers. At both schools we teach dance singing, yoga, guitar, percussion, acting and other programs. Our in house performance space allows us to have host gigs and provide a platform for young and established artists to perform. Our recent introduction of Drum Circle nights (lead by drum maestro Sikander Mufti) is really picking up. It is an
evening where young percussion players get to congregate and make some noise. Both schools also offer external programs to local educational institutions in Karachi and Lahore. Find us on facebook to keep in touch. We’re introducing new programs and activities almost monthly. S+: How badly has the theatre suffered in the last decade in Pakistan? You ran into a three million rupees loss while running Chicago, why did Lahore not work out as well as Karachi? Nida: We had no sponsors and the disgusting culture of free passes in Punjab means that people are reluctant to buy tickets. This culture of free passes devalues art, ruins the industry for existing artists and creates a deterrent for those who want to enter it. Until art is not recognized as something of value, we cannot expect it to grow. The audience has a responsibility to pay for an evening out provided the art is of a certain caliber and quality. S+: What’s your take on your contemporaries and competitors like Shah Sharabeel and others? Nida: My company, Made for Stage Productions, is the pioneer of live musicals in Pakistan and no other company has taken this step yet, not even Shah Sharabeel. It’s like comparing a lemon tart to crème brulee. Doesn’t make sense!
RENDEZVOUS S+: If a film of your life is made, who plays you? Nida: I will play my own character! I can act, cast me now Shoaib Mansoor! S+: What do you consider the highlights of your career so far? Nida: Getting selected for the Arts Mangers training program at the John F. Kennedy Center for performing arts in Washington DC has been a big boost to my personal goals and is translating beautifully into my work now. It’s a 3 year training program for art managers from around the world and has opened new horizons for me. Made for Stage’s 5 year plan looks delicious right now and I can’t wait to implement it!
Actors reading script before Blocking
S+: What’s coming up — beyond KARACHI-THE MUSICAL? Nida: It’s time to show Islamabad the joy of live musicals, so a trip there in 2012 is defiantly on the cards. And Dubai, watch out! KARACHI - The Musical is coming soon! S+: Are there any long-term ambitions that you have either to do with theatre or not? Nida: All my ambitions are and will always be about theater! We need to tackle some fundamental problems like the lack of government support, unfair taxation laws and other roadblocks that stakeholders in the industry create. Thespians needs to unite: as there is strength in numbers. We are being pushed around right now. But not for long …
Band and Actors Rehearsal for Act 1
S+: Do you have anyone as a role model that you aspire to be like? Nida: Humayune Butt, the man is faster and smarter than ever before and he is in his mid-60s. He also remains the most devoted and coveted patron of Made for Stage Productions. Nida Butt choreographing dance routine for the song Karachi S+: When a big name actor comes to do your play after they have been on television, do they ever have a problem getting used to being on stage again? Nida: Yet to come. Although I would say that world over every serious artist eventually finds their way back to the stage to prove their mettle as an actor. Stage is the most challenging avenue of acting: you get one take and that’s it.
S+: What is the favourite production you have worked on? Are there any actors/actresses that you would like to work with? Nida: My favourite musical would be KARACHI-THE MUSICAL, of course. It comes from the heart so I couldn’t possibly love anything more. I am open to working with everyone. So would encourage anyone who wants to give it a go to get in touch with me.
S+: Would you ever like to direct a pantomime? Nida: That’s a fun idea… S+: And finally, what’s your dream project? Nida: Every project I touch is my dream project. Let’s just say I am always living in la la land!
HHH September 11, 2011 SuNday Plus 21
picture of the week
Happy moments for all at Lahore Zoo
24 Sunday Plus September 11, 2011
travel
By Yusaf Ata
Bolan Pass
Breath taking
Balochistan From Karachi we flew north; out of the sunny, sandy, and bustling port-city into the pastoral bliss of nature, to the nearly mile high city of Quetta. Clouds hovered over Dadu and darkened as we flew over Sibi.
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own below stretched silvery rice fields and sandy wastes, merging into folds of grey mountains, until, in a sudden vertical montage of sharp, barren mountains and green pastures, the PIA aircraft was over the well designed, circular, Quetta airfield. From there the road shot like an arrow into the city. A motley procession of cars and scooters wound its way down the “chinar� and poplar-shaded avenues. As I sat in my reasonably comfortable hotel, sipping a wel-
26 Sunday Plus September 11, 2011
come cup of hot tea on that mild October day, I became aware of the change from the fast, hectic pace of life in Karachi to the serenity and peace in Quetta. Obviously not as rich as Karachi, Quetta gives one an impression of restraint rather than exuberance, of neatness rather than confusion, in sharp contrast to the hectic, commercial city of Karachi. No whirring of the wheels of industry, no speeding, smokeemitting vehicles disturb the quietness
and pollute the atmosphere here. Quetta is essentially a place of calm, of reticent charm, a place protected by mountain wall, whose hidden beauties await exploration by the tourist. It sprawls over a plateau, buttressed by the knife edged, grey mountains of Chiltan, Zarghoon and Takatu. About 90 years ago, it was a mere raw, little outpost. Today it is the capital of Baluchistan largest and yet most sparsely populated of the provinces of Pakistan. One
travel
Sunset at Ormara Beach, Balochistan
of the most salubrious cities in Pakistan, Quetta boasts a university, a military staff college, geophysical observatory and the geological museum. Quetta derivers its name from the Pashto word “Kote� which means fort. When the Afghan conqueror, Ahmed Shah Abdali, came to South Asia in 1917, to fight the Third Battle of Panipat and break the back of Marhatta power, he passed through the Bolan Pass and awarded the land of Quetta
to Meer Naseer Khan of Kalat in grateful token of his help. The British secured it on lease from the Khan of Kalat. Its strategic location made it a bone of contention among ambitious, warring rulers, Moghals, Safavids of Iran, the local chieftains and the British. This seems to have given Quetta a defensive character. The city lies 700 km west of the Pakistan-Iran Border at Koh-e-Taftan and 125 km south east of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Chaman.
Everyday life in the city is packed with quiet charm. To reach any point of interest on foot turned out to be a surprisingly pleasant exercise. Jinnah Road is, of course, the main artery of the town, its fashionable center, where my wife, as one of the lady visitors, was eager to purchase some of the exquisite Balochi embroidered cloth, ladies, coats and Kurtas, hand bags, tea pot covers, sparkling with mirror work and adorned with hand woven patterns. September 11, 2011 Sunday Plus 27
travel
Astola Island, Pasni Gwadar Balochistan
The walk along Lytton Boulevard, under the thick green foliage of the “Chinar�, left us with the feeling of being in a picture postcard city. The provincial Government Secretariat in massive stone exuded a sense of power and majesty. Strolling along with charming public walks was a delightful experience. Colour and fragrance intermingled to add a touch of romance to the mood of tranquility that Quetta evokes. Bright roses, flaming dahlias and charming petunias flanked the deep green, velvety lawns of the Secretariat. Beyond the parks are the fruit markets. Here the brawny country folk, Pathans, Balochis, Brahuis and Afghan Powindahs (the migratory tribes) rub shoulders, dressed in Karakul caps, embroidered chappals and long woolen overcoats. Some of them sell fruits, both fresh and preserved, grapes and apples, almonds and raisins. As you walk along the paved streets you occasionally 28 Sunday Plus September 11, 2011
come across wandering herds of sheep obstructing the traffic. Quetta appears to be an orthodox Muslim town. If you are looking for the jet set, the luxury of modern hotels or scintillating, western dances, you are in for a big disappointment. What you can expect here is a reasonably relaxed stay in a tourist class hotel, half –way between the oriental and the occidental, and taste of the local colour. On festive occasions, the tribal folk entertain guests with thrilling, joyous rustic dances to the throbbing accompaniment of drums. Quetta is the nerve-centre of trade and tourism in Balochistan. From here you can launch out on a trip to the lovely juniper clad Ziarat Valley, the fruit-laden Zhob region and the rugged, volcanic Chagai range. Perched on hill-tops, 2500m above sea level, and site of one of the largest and oldest juniper forests in the world, Ziarat has a special attraction for the visitor. Here,
Mehar Garh
geography and history vie for attention. It is at once a beautiful tourist resort and a place of pilgrimage for Pakistanis. Named after a Muslim saint, whose shrine crowns the top of the ridge, Ziarat played host to the Quaid-e-Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, during his last days in 1948.
travel Balochistan Costal Area
We set off from Quetta in the early hours of the morning. Fruit orchards sprang to sight as we drove leisurely along the metaled road. As we struck further into the wilderness, the sense of animal freedom was almost tangible. Negotiating the gentle slopes, we saw juniper forests everywhere; at every turn we saw rolling ranges of mountains, and green fields and water streams flirting together. Our ascent to Ziarat was richly rewarded. We had a comfortable stay in the PTDC Motel. In the morning, we strolled through the semi-dark romantic and delightfully cool glades. Later our tired limbs reacted admirably to a hurried dip in the swimming pool. Zhob Valley is as beguiling as its name suggests. It is truly the fruit orchard of Balochistan. Sun-drenched, snow-fed, juicy peaches, apples, grapes, apricots and walnut grow in abundance in a fascinating 320kms are formed by Quetta, Muslimbagh and Fort Sandeman. The high altitudes, ranging from 1,400 to 3,000m, endow the valley with pleasant winters and delightfully cool summers. At the break of day we began our drive through Zhob’s incomparable landscape.
Road to Gawadar
We idled past drowsy sheep, ambling camels and rustling grass. Chikors chirped and pigeons cooed, sand grouse and raven flew over the caravans of sturdy Kackar Pathans marching slowly along the highway. Shy women trailed along in their wake wearing brightly coloured waistcoats. The ancient caravans that poured into Balochistan from Afghanistan for centuries must have looked something like the one we were watching. The people of the Zhob Valley were among the first to taste the fruits of civilization in the South Asia. Zhob Valley is interesting but Chaman is fantastic. We traveled in a Walt Disneytype train, snaking through the flatlands to the ridges, traversing the inky blackness of tunnels. Stockades protected the fruit orchards. Timber and clay dwellings dotted a landscape whose bleakness was barely alleviated by water drawn from the Karezes. The Karezes are subterranean water reservoirs fed by rain water and the melting snows. The water, which seeps through the soil, is pumped up to the surface. Along the Quetta-Chaman rail road, Shella Bagh attracted us most. This small township, perched on the slopes, houses
Stockades protected the fruit orchards. Timber and clay dwellings dotted a landscape whose bleakness was barely alleviated by water drawn from the Karezes.
the local miltia. It is the point of entry to the Khojak Pass, where brick and stone bunkers bear testimony to the British-Afghan wars fought in the nineteenth century. From the Khojak tunnel we emerged into the fertile landscape leading to Chaman. In Chaman pyramids to dry fruit, summer and winter suiting, crockery, cutlery, chiffon dupattas (women’s scarves) and a-radios change hands briskly. We passed through buzzing bazaars to an open field where a festival was in progress. Broad shouldered, colorfully dressed tribesmen danced in measured steps in circles, to the tantalizing music of a surnai (Flute) and Dhol (Drum). We had been traveling in the northern part of Balochistan for five days, and had not yet seen the south-western part the part known for its varicoloured rocks, for its still untapped mineral treasures, and for its yet unexplored geophysical past the Chagai District. The vast barren expanse of the area (about 31200 sq. kms) its sparse population of 80,000 (almost 3 persons to a square kilometer), incredible rock formations, ranging in colour from bright purplish red to almost white, and lime stone cliffs, offered a challenge to our spirit of adventure. The road ran parallel to the rail tracks. Thatched huts dotted the treeless landscape. Ruins of old forts and settlements were scattered here and there. The same route (Quetta to Koh-e-Taftan) had witnessed the flight of the Moghal emperor, Humayun, to Iran.
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movie
The Barbarian is back
T
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hat’s right, Conan is back in yet another beefy form in the 2011 adaptation Conan the Barbarian. Jason Mamoa, the man who has recently caught the attention of audiences for his massive physique and his role on the hit TV series “Game of Thrones” suits up, or rather, takes it, for his latest role as the epic character. It’s specifically tailored to fans of Conan and action, dramas with nearly no humor or character development. That being said, for what it was, the film was a
good time and had some of the best 3D you will see in a while…
The Plot:
A quest that begins as a personal vendetta for the fierce Cimmerian warrior soon turns into an epic battle against hulking rivals, horrific monsters, and impossible odds, as Conan (Jason Momoa) realizes he is the only hope of saving the great nations of Hyboria from
movie
at the premiere
Michael Copon
Alina Puscau
Jason Momoa, Lisa Bonet and her daughter Zoe Kravitz
Ron Perlman, Leo Howard
an encroaching reign of supernatural evil.
The Good:
• The Special Effects: This movie was made on an incredibly tight budget and most of it was CGI. Often that gives a film a very “fake” touch and the 3D doesn’t always help. Thanks to the mazing special effects team and Thomas Kloss the the cinematographer, the film had a great sense of texture and depth that was unexpected and yet appreciated in a smash-um-up, action film. • Embracing The Genre: No one in this film is winning an Oscar, the story is just good enough to get you from point A to point B, there are plot holes you couldn’t drive your car over, but what’s important is the film delivers what people want when they walk into see “Conan the Barbarian” — There’s an aggressive tone that the films holds onto throughout, it’s visually appealing, easy to follow, and overall, a fun, violent time.
The So-So:
• Violence: Though there were a few great action shots (most of which were in the trailer), it’s hard not to compare this film to the “Game of Thrones” series with the era and the lead actor. “Game of Thrones” is a far superior show with better storylines (though they have
rose-mcgowan
Rachel Nichols
more time to develop them) but more importantly, more impactful violence. For some reason the violence in this film didn’t always have enough meaning to really have it hit home. Yes, certain scenes are cringe-worthy, but others could have been even more intense. “Game of Thrones” is the perfect example of how to use violence most effectively for the audience. Though this film has violence in spades, not all of it hits home as much as it should.
Bob Sapp
Elsa-Pataky
RATING: 5.5/10 THE PLAYERS:
The Bad:
• The Horseback Riding: Many of those, not as OCD about this as I would never notice that KhalDrogo, his character on “Game of Thrones” never actually does more than walk a horse or sit on one. He merely need to look good. In this film he has to actually ride, and for anyone who knows what they’re looking at, the riding is BAD. Keep your hands down!
Overall:
This is by no means a bad film, I don’t think it will have long legs, but if you find yourself debating whether or not you want to see it, just think “am I in the mood to see a fetus cut out of a woman’s stomach so she can see it?” If the answer is yes, go get yourself some popcorn, you’re in for a treat!
director: Marcus Nispel
writer: Thomas Dean Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, Sean Hood
Actors: Jason Momoa, Stephen Lang, Rachel Nichols, Ron Perlman, Rose McGowan
Cinematography: Thomas Kloss
Music by: Tyler Bates
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style
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style
fusion KAAM
KAAM’s aesthetic seeks to fuse the crafts of Pakistan with the fashion sense of the present era for the women of today. With premium craftsmanship in machine and hand embroidery, each piece labeled “KAAM” is a superior crafted piece of art and design with the conscious effort to bring back the Pakistani crafts to the upscale local and international market, catering to women with a taste for standing out from the crowd.
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style
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style
Label: KAAM Photographer: Zeeshan Haider Model: Iraj Manzoor Makeup: Sabs
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style
Fashion’s new Dimension Dimensions offers easy chic outfits with fresh take on high street fashion that equally trendy as well as affordable. The collection offers fresh and bright colours with sleek cuts that one can easily weave into your own personal style. Aliha’s designs truly capture the essence of today’s urban women.
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style
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style
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style
Label: Dimensions by Aliha Chaudry Hair and Make-up: Maryam K. Photography and styling: Sadaf Ahmed Model: Aliha Available @ Portfolio
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A living legend
By Emanuel Sarfraz
Welcome to
Goslingland Ryan Gosling is best known for making the ladies swoon in the now universallybeloved romantic drama The Notebook. He has parlayed that role into an up-to-now exclusively drama-cantered acting career Half Nelson, Lars and the Real Girl, All Good Things, Blue Valentine. Now the 30 year-old Canadian hopes to conquer the world of the romantic comedy in the film Crazy, Stupid Love. Gosling plays Jacob Palmer, a player who takes on recent divorcee Cal Weaver, played by Steve Carell, as his wingman to get him back into the world of dating. He was asked what first drew him to the role.
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A living legend
September 11, 2011 Sunday Plus 43
hollywood
s‘
teve Carell,” he simply replies, “I always wanted to work with him. I’m a huge fan. When I was a kid, I worked with him when I first moved to Los Angeles. I had a small pilot and so did he. We didn’t get to actually work together, but he was so funny that I would go to set just to watch him work.” “One time, the boom guy dropped the mike,” Ryan continues, “And we had a laughing tack in the corner and it was the first time I’d ever work with somebody that was so good that it was a problem, so I made a promise to myself that I would work with him, so when this came up, I had to do it.” A scene was mentioned that involves Jacob slapping Cal and the fact that Steve Carell had said that he begged his co-star to slap him as hard as possible for that scene. We asked Ryan how true that was. “Yeah, but he has a real loud face,” Gosling replies, “Just so you know, he made them
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sound harder than they already were.” Gosling was asked what scenes were more embarrassing, the scene where Jacob’s love interest Hanna, played by Emma Stone flies into him. “Uh, well, both were equally as embarrassing,” Ryan replies, Emma didn’t trust that I wouldn’t drop her, no matter how many times I would prove to her that I wouldn’t. We had a stuntwoman come in and I probably lifted this woman ten times. And then after it was over and I never dropped her, but after ten times, you got to be tired.” “[Emma said,] ‘You’re going to drop me next. I can’t do it.,” he adds, “So that was embarrassing.” Ryan was asked if he was anything like Jacob. “No, but it’s sweet for anyone to even think so,” Gosling replies, “I’m more like Steve’s character probably in life.” Gosling was asked if an accurate description of Jacob’s character is studly on the outside, but hurting on the inside. “Oh, yeah,” he says. It was also asked if Jacob’s cold apartment in the film matched his personality. “Yeah, we all walked in and we were pretty impressed for fifteen minutes,” Ryan says of it, “Then we were like, ‘Get us out of here. This is
the worst.’” Ryan’s scenes as Jacob were compared to Phoebe Cates’s now classic emerging from the pool scene in the teen comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High. “Yeah, it was embarrassing,” Gosling says in reply, “It was meant to be funny, so that’s why they cast me in that part. This was not meant to be serious.” Gosling also says he had reasons why he waited until now to make a comedy. “I always wanted to make a comedy, but I didn’t,” he explains, “I guess I had to do it with the right people. John [Requa] and Glenn [Ficarra] are such great directors and I really like their movies. Steve, really more than anything, I knew that if I could get into [Steve’s head]…” “I watched Steve’s entire movie,” Ryan continues, “I had anyway because I was a fan. But there’s one theme, which is that everybody’s funny when they are in a scene with him, so it’s not really an accident. And so is Emma Stone, so I was pretty well-covered.” Ryan also believes that it was his co-stars Steve Carell and Emma Stone that helped make him funny. “Yeah, they make what you’re doing funny,” Gosling says of them, “The way they do it makes it funny somehow.” Gosling was asked if doing Crazy, Stupid Love challenged him. “Well, I never made a film like this before,” Ryan says, “It was really out of my comfort zone, so I had to sort of give myself to the other actors and the directors and looking for direction and help.” Ryan also talks about working with the film’s two directors, who were John Requa and Glenn Ficara, who have co-written Cats and Dogs, Bad Santa, The Bad News Bears,
“We’re developing Logan’s Run, which is sort of creating the world right now. Then, we’ll try to figure out what kind of story would take place in that world. The original film was great. It was also shot in the mall. A lot of it was shot in the mall, which was kind of cool.”
hollywood “I always wanted to make a comedy, but I didn’t,” he explains, “I guess I had to do it with the right people. John [Requa] and Glenn [Ficarra] are such great directors and I really like their movies. ”
& I Love You, Phillip Morris together. “Well, it’s kind of like working with the two old guys from The Muppet Show, I guess,” Gosling says of the experience, “They sit behind the monitor and heckle you all the time, but it’s also more efficient and more relaxed, I guess, because one handles the technical aspects and another handles the performers. You don’t get one man manning the helm kind of stressed-out atmosphere when one director does everything to handle it all.” Gosling claims that his seemingly perfect abs he sports in Crazy, Stupid Love are not really his. “No, it was just photo-shopped” Ryan said, “It’s like James Cameron invented this program called Avatar and you just wear a motion-capture suit and suddenly, you have abs. It’s pretty neat.” Ryan talks about the experience with love in the film that he did identify with. “Well, I think that I could identify with Jonah Bobo’s story, being in unrequited love with your babysitter, that sort of thing,” Gosling says, “I thought I
could relate to that.” Gosling was asked what kind of film he’d want to do next after having done his first comedy. “Well, I would just like to keep working with these people,” Ryan says, “I hope we could like to do that again, work with Steve and Emma and all the actors and directors, which we are looking for something. I hope we can find something. I only made one comedy.” “I had a great time on this one, but picking roles is sort of like when a song comes on and you got to dance,” he adds, “You don’t know why you have to dance, so it’s a hard thing to explain and it’s always changing. I’d like to do more. Again, I’d like to work with Steve, work with Emma, work with these directors. I’d like to work with Julianne [Moore]; I only got to do one scene with her. I’d like to work with Marisa [Tomei], didn’t get to do anything with her.” Ryan was asked if he enjoyed playing Jacob, who is a character not very different from the typical Hollywood playboys. “Yeah, it was funny to play that kind of part,” Gosling says, “But the truth is I wanted to work with Steve and when I heard that there was a role where you got a lot of scenes together, I was in. And I read the script and realized the part I was and I was really happy because it was a funny role, but the main draw is I wanted to work with Steve.” “I just basically tried to follow all those rules that those men’s magazines give you,” he continues, “Like always how you’re supposed to dress, all those exercises that you’re supposed to do, and all the things that you’re supposed to say, and just follow the letter of the law, so I tried to keep and adhere to that. I read the book The Game. I like to call it “The Lame” or the TV show The Pick-Up Artist. I watched that show.” Gosling was asked if he thought it was more charming to not have game. “Well, what I like about the film is the general philosophy between, even though Jacob’s like essentially a knucklehead, but the heart of it, he’s saying, don’t use lame pick-up line,” Ryan says, “Just talk to them as you would talk to one of your friends and just talk to them. So I thought that if there was any wisdom, that sounds like good advice.” Ryan also talked about working with Emma Stone and how central her character was to the film. “The whole movie really depends on who plays that character because everything kind of hinges on her in many ways,” Gosling says,
“And certainly from my character, he sees this person in a bar and give it all up for her and has to be, as soon as Emma walked in the room, I knew it was going to be good.” Gosling shared with us some of the other projects he has going, including a period crime drama which reunites him with Stone called The Gangster Squad, which is set for release sometime in 2013. “It’s a fifties gangster picture and Josh Brolin is the lead and Sean Penn plays Mickey Cohen and it’s just a great cast,” Ryan reveals, “Giovanni Ribisi, Anthony Mackie, just a lot of really great actors. I’m looking forward to it. We start in the fall.” Gosling also mentions working with Blue Valentine director Derek Cianfrance again in a film also set for release in 2013. “We start a film called A Place Beyond The Pines,” Ryan says, “We shoot that in Schenectady and Bradley Cooper is in that film and Eva Mendes, Ben Mendelsohn from Animal Kingdom.” Another Ryan is set to work on that will come out next year is a remake of the 1976 science-fiction thriller Logan’s Run. “Well, we’re developing Logan’s Run, which is sort of creating the world right now,” Gosling says, “Then, we’ll try to figure out what kind of story would take place in that world. The original film] was great. It was also shot in the mall. A lot of it was shot in the mall, which was kind of cool, but we’ll try to do it in our own way and maybe go back to the book.” Finally, Gosling talks about a project he has also developed called Dead Man’s Bones. “It’s a music project that I have with my friend Zach Shields,” he says of it, “We started out wanting to make a play, sort of this Robert Wilson-meets-elementary-school-play about zombies and ghosts and monsters that are lonely and looking for love. And we wanted kids to sing it, but it turned out it was going to be the most expensive play of all time and nobody would make it.” “So we thought, oh, we’ll make it into a movie, and that was equally as expensive and no one would make that,” Ryan adds, “So we thought, oh, we’ll make it into a record because records are cheap. And now, suddenly, we’re a band, which was never the plan, but that’s what it is. It’s just the two of us, so we’re trying for an Everly Brothers kind of thing. We try and play everything, not very well. Our first record was called Never Let A Lack Of Talent Get You Down.”
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OFF THE SHELF Title: The Memory Palace: A Memoir Author: Mira Bartok Pages: 305, Price: Rs. 1295 Genre: Biography/Autobiography
I
MIRA’S MELANCHOLY
At the center of Mira Bartok’s memoir about her schizophrenic mother is a beautiful metaphor: a memory palace. The idea, she explains, derives from the sixth-century B.C. Greek poet Simonides, who was attending a party at a palace and stepped outside just before the building collapsed. Because he could recall where all the other guests had been standing, Simonides alone could identify the mangled bodies.
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nspired by this tale, a 16th-century Jesuit priest recommended a mental technique by which scholars could build an imaginary palace to keep their memories safe, creating a visual image for everything they wanted to recall and creating a particular place for the image inside the mental palace. It is easy to see why Simonides’ story — a fable about the importance of memory — speaks to Bartok, who has constructed a life on the rubble of a catastrophically ruined family. “The Memory Palace” begins in the final days of her mother’s life, when Bartok finds out that the woman she has not seen in 17 years is dying and decides to go to her. Her mother’s death comes on the heels of another blow: a few years before, Bartok had sustained a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. The injury brought her into threatening alignment with her mother’s life — unable to work, forced to live on inadequate disability checks, feeling her identity erode. As a therapeutic technique, Bartok, a skillful painter and the author of numerous children’s books, began to construct a memory palace for herself, a series of paintings (reproduced in the book) evoking the mental landscape of her childhood, and to write this story. Returning to Cleveland, their hometown, to attend to her mother, Bartok and her sister begin sorting through the contents of their mother’s storage unit, and each object becomes an occasion for the flashbacks that make up most of the book. By the time Bartok was four, her mother, Norma, a former piano prodigy, had begun her descent into madness, and her father, a promising novelist, had abandoned the family, eventually dying an alcoholic in a boarding house. Norma ended up homeless, writing letters, reproduced here, begging her daughter to visit her, and recording advice like: “Value your own mouth, hate privately, and pray for yourself. When distressed, see if you can remember all the bones in the body. Recite them alphabetically by name. Stay calm and always watch your back.” Bartok has inherited some peculiar intellectual obsessions from her mother, a woman about whom it was possible to ask (somewhat romantically), “Would our mother really have been happier medicated in some kind of home or hospital ward? . . . Would she have studied ancient geology?
OFF THE SHELF
Aleph
Author: Paulo Coelho | No of Pages: 320 | Price: Rs. 695 | Genre: Fiction Synopsis: Aleph by Paulo Coelho is a surprising and forthright personal story. The author, in a state of disillusion and a grave crisis of faith, sets out on a journey of self-discovery. He is in pursuit of spiritual growth and with an aim to start over, he travels across Europe, Africa and Asia. The journey begins with the hope to find spiritual guidance but culminates in a search of his inner self. Between March and July 2006, he travels across continents. He allows signs to guide him throughout the travel. Paulo Coelho states that though he travelled across continents, the spiritual realization occurred while crossing Asia in the Transiberian train. It was in this train that he happened to meet Hilal, a gifted young violinist. As the journey progresses, Paulo gradually emerges from his isolation shedding both ego and pride. He laps up the warmth of friendship, love, and faith and emerges a true winner. The readers can rediscover the different facets of his journey as they travel with the author in his most personal novel to date.
The 9/11 Wars
Author: Jason Burke | No of Pages: 752 | Price: Rs. 1,195 | Genre: Current Affairs Synopsis: Throughout the 1990s a vast conflict was brewing. The storm broke on September 11th 2001. Since then much of the world has seen invasions, bombings, battles and riots. Hundreds of thousands of people have died. Jason Burke, a first-hand witness of many of the conflict’s key moments, has written the definitive account of its course. At once investigation, reportage and contemporary history, it is based on hundreds of interviews with participants including desperate refugees and senior intelligence officials, ministers and foot-soldiers, active militants and their victims. Burke reveals the true nature of contemporary Islamic militancy and the inside story of the fight against it. He cuts through the myth and propaganda of all sides to reveal the reality behind well-known - and lesser known episodes, and brings characters, voices and a sense of place to a gripping narrative. The 9/11 Wars is an essential book for understanding the dangerous and unstable twenty-first century. Whether reporting on the riots in France or the attack on Mumbai, suicide bombers in Iraq or British troops fighting in Helmand, Jason Burke tells the story of a world that changed forever.
Memorized all the state flowers and birds, the bones in the body? Would she have studied the movements of the stars?” Lost on a road trip in Louisiana in search of her father’s grave, Bartok comforts herself, just as her mother might have, by reciting the names of native plants and birds, ending with the Latin name for the heron: Ardea herodias. Some of Bartok’s memories are striking, like the time she innocently brought a dead sparrow into her elementary school class for show-and-tell and was stunned by her teacher’s harsh rebuke. But Bartok — perhaps understandably, given her accident — includes some memories that are of more interest to her than to the reader. She struggles to recall such trivial details as whether the cabinets at the natural history museum where she worked 20 years earlier were dark wood or metal and whether the bird inside was an emu or an ostrich. Bartok occasionally touches on memory itself as a subject — asserting, for example, that according to neuroscience, while the core meaning of a long-term memory endures, every time we retrieve a memory we alter it. But she does not delve into the science of
memory or explore its implications. Thanks to Bartok’s acutely visual imagination, each room in her memory palace is richly detailed, so much so that at times it can feel cluttered. Her prose is flowery — laden with loosely woven classical and historical allusions and folklore that sometimes illuminate and sometimes distract. The neglected mystery of the book is how Bartok emerged from such severe trauma and abuse to become such a remarkable, accomplished person (as did her sister, Natalia Rachel Singer, an English professor and memoirist). Bartok’s tone shifts frustratingly from intimate and confessional to distant and elusive. Boyfriends appear and disappear with little or no explanation. In one section she has met a man; the next section opens a year into their crumbling marriage. Then, suddenly, she is engaged to a different man, about whom we learn almost nothing. Although Bartok circles the globe and changes her name to get away from her mother, her thoughts remain tethered to her. Whether painting in Florence, running writing workshops for Arab and Jewish children in Israel or on a Fulbright in Lapland, she remains captive to the same paralyzing mix
of love, pity and guilt. She never expresses anger at either of her parents. When a friend says she hopes Bartok can forgive her mother, Bartok asks whether her mother will forgive her. But the meaning of forgiveness in such a family goes largely unexplored. When, toward the end of the book, Bartok suddenly declares her memory palace complete, the moment feels slightly arbitrary. But her longing to be with her mother in some way that was never possible while her mother was alive feels very real and constant. “If memory is a palace,” she writes, “let me live there, forever with her, somewhere in that place between sleep and morning. . . . Let me dream a palace in the clear night sky… a place lit by stars and a winter moon.” The pace of Bartok’s series of linked contemplative essays is slow and the material sometimes repetitive; as a result, some readers may bog down. But this would be a pity, for like the cabinet of wonders that is a frequent motif here, Bartok’s memory palace contains some rare, distinctive and genuinely imaginative treasures.
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Youth in sync
How to be a good friend? S tudies show that having a well-balanced social life helps promote a healthy attitude toward life. This doesn’t mean you have to be the life of every party, but it does mean developing strong bonds that can help you through the ups and downs of the world. In order to have great friends, though, you also need to be one. Not sure if you are? Here are some tips.
Step 1
Be there for them when they need you, not when you need something from them. Good friends don’t call up people only to request a favour. While knowing people that can help you out is important, it’s equally important not to abuse the relationship. Focus on what your friend is going through at the moment. Are they happy? A little lonely? Maybe they need to talk about their break-up or the fact that they are worried about their studies. Whatever the situation, put yourself second and listen to what’s being said directly and implied in their conversations.
Step 2 Don’t wait for friends to call you. Make an effort to keep in touch with people. Everyone is busy, but if you want to maintain good friendships you
should be proactive about communications. It doesn’t mean you have to sit on the phone for two hours a day, but it does mean you send an email, sms, a card, or give them a quick call to let them know you’re thinking about them.
Step 3 Respond to them in a time-
ly manner. There’s nothing more frustrating than sending a friend an email or note, and having them ignore it because they are ‘too busy’. Everyone is busy. If someone is your friend, you make the effort to be kind to them. Responding to their questions and requests is one way you can do that.
Step 4 Don’t be part of the gossip
train. Bad mouthing people you call friends is one of the worst things you can do. Don’t be catty or talk about them behind their
backs. Don’t hang out with someone just so you can go back to someone else and talk about your friend. Decide if you are someone’s friend, or not, and act accordingly.
Step 5 Be happy for them. It may
sound ridiculous, but some folks just can’t be happy at their friend’s successes. Don’t be someone that’s only in for complaining about life. When your friend hits it big – celebrate with them. When they’re interviewing for a new job – pull for them. When they want to find love – be gracious and supportive when they find it. There is nothing better in the world than having people that support and care about you. Go out of your way to show your support for your friend.
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IN FOCUS
By Areebah Imtiaz
Liver transplant:
challengesandsolutions Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, most commonly caused by viral infection, drugs, poisonous mushrooms and excessive alcohol intake. Hepatitis is a fatal disease that millions of people around the globe are affected by. There are several type of hepatitis viruses like Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D, Alcoholic hepatitis, Autoimmune hepatitis and Drug-induced hepatitis. Liver disease can also be caused by inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis or hemochromatosis (excess iron deposits in the liver).
Recipient Amir Raza
Donor Arsalan
1st liver transplant during operation 50 SuNday Plus September 11, 2011
A
ccording to a 2011 National survey on hepatitis, 12 million people in Pakistan are suffering from hepatitis. The major symptoms of hepatitis are abdominal pain or distention, breast development in males, dark urine and pale or clay-colored stools, fatigue, fever (usually low-grade), general itching, jaundice, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea and vomiting. Viral hepatitis is a life-threatening disease, a condition made worse by the fact that a large proportion of those infected don’t know that they carry the virus. Mortality rate for liver patients is 10 per cent annually and it’s going up day by day. Cirrhosis is the final phase of chronic liver diseases and its ultimate solution is liver transplantation. Most Pakistanis have to travel to USA, UK, Canada, Australia, China, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Mexico, Thailand, Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia to transplant liver. Around 2500 Pakistani patients have gone abroad so far to get the liver transplant done. The liver transplantation cost is approximately PKR6 million in India, PKR8 million in China and PKR20 million in USA & Canada. According to rough estimates, one million people in Pakistan need a liver transplant. In that case, a common man who is deprived of basic necessities of life and is living hand to mouth cannot afford foreign travel and surgery expenses. For this very reason, liver patients’ death toll is mounting up in Pakistan gradually. The government taking this into account has inaugurated a liver transplant centre in 2007 at Sheikh Zayed Hospital. The SZH management team took a big stand; they endeavored and made a liver transplantation unit fully functional with Government grant and complete involvement on Nov 27th 2010. Pakistan’s Leadership is also striving to develop a liver transplant center at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad. In Pakistan, liver transplant charges are significantly less than the foreign countries. There are two basic ways to transplant a liver. The first approach is Living Donor Liver
IN FOCUS
Liver transplant surgical team Transplantation (LDLT) in which a portion of a healthy liver is surgically removed from a living person and transplanted into a recipient, immediately after the recipient’s diseased liver has been entirely eliminated. The second option is Cadaveric Liver Transplantation (CLT) in which the liver of a dead person is transplanted to a beneficiary. So far, six liver transplant surgeries have been done in Pakistan. However, it was the first Cadaveric liver transplantation surgery in the history of Pakistan carried out at Sheikh Zayed Hospital on Friday Aug 12th 2011. Prior to that, two LDLT surgeries had been performed in Masood hospital Lahore by overseas Indian surgeons and three LDLT surgeries had been conducted in Sindh Institute of Urology & Transplantation (SIUT) Karachi by overseas British surgeons. Among one of those five LDLT surgeries, two remained successful, the one which was performed in SUIT and another one was operated in Masood Hospital. It’s interesting to hear that liver cells can ferment glucose to lactic acid without Oxygen and can live for upto 18 hours after death. A liver can be preserved through Viaspan, also known as University of Wisconsin solution (UW). It’s the first solution thoroughly designed to be utilized in organ transplantation and a preferred intercellular preservative for cold storage of liver, heart, kidneys, pancreas and other organs. The first time cadaveric liver was transplanted in Pakistan by competent SZH surgeons. The cadaveric liver was donated by 16-year old class 10th Cathedral School student Mohammad Arsalan who had met with a road accident, admitted to hospital and passed away at Main ICU of SZH. His beloved father Naveed Anjum informed the surgeons that his son had pledged to donate his liver. Afterwards, the Cadaveric liver was transplanted in to the body of 42-year old Syed Aamer Raza, a resident of village Mitran Wali
near Sialkot and who had been suffering from liver problem since 2007. He had been working for prestigious German company WIKA in Dubai, UAE. About two years ago, he had been diagnosed with Cirrhosis and finally he had to return to Pakistan. During an interview, patient Aamir Raza expressed his feeling, “Alhamdulillah, Almighty Allah bestowed me with a new Life, I am very thankful to Arsalan and his parents who saved my life and donated liver free of cost. I pray whole-heartedly for Arsalan, May Allah rest his soul in heaven. I am enormously grateful to hospital management for providing me medication free of cost. I am extremely appreciative how I have been monitored by doctors and looked after by nurses round the clock”. It’s a tremendous achievement for the Pakistani doctors who successfully conducted CLT surgery with limited resources The CLT Surgical operation was conducted by internationally accredited and reputable surgeons Dr. Tariq Bangash and Dr. Aamir Latif under the supervision of Prof Zafar Iqbal, Chairman and Dean of Sheikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute. Experienced Anesthesiologist Dr. Aitzazuddin was responsible for delivering anesthesia to the patient. The duration of Surgery was 12 hours. Honorable Dr. Mohammad Sarwar was responsible for coordination of patient care in main ICU and consulted with other specialists. Besides these, the qualified consultants Professor Dr Altaf Alam and Professor Dr. Aizaz Mand Ahmed have been regularly visiting the patient and prescribing medicines & further treatment. Now, the patient is gradually recovering, feeling well and in stable condition. SZH spent more than 3 million on patient health care and provided free of cost surgery, drugs and consultation to the patient. This triumph is worthy of such high praise, we must acknowledge this. And the surgeons who did cadaveric liver transplantation should be awarded by government
and admired by the whole nation. We should standby those who best served our country. It is permissible in Islam to donate organs in order to save the life of fellow human beings, as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, Chapter 5 verse. 32, “If anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the whole humanity”. Muslim scholars of prestigious academies have unanimously declared that organ donation is an act of merit and in certain circumstances can be an obligation. Dr Zakir Naik asserted “Islam allows donating organs to save someone’s life, but keep in mind don’t put donor’s life in danger. Also, organ trading is strictly prohibited in Islam”. A renowned Egyptian Islamic scholar Sheikh Dr MA Zaki Badawi, Principal of Muslim College, London declared, “If you happened to be ill and in need of a transplant, you certainly would wish that someone would help you by providing the needed organ”. Chairman of SZH, academic counsel and liver transplantation team are appealing earnestly to the Government of Pakistan to provide funds for establishing fully equipped liver transplantation units and recruitment of trained workforce. SZH management is also appealing to entire mass media in Pakistan to lend a helping hand and assist in propagating the concept and objective of Organ Donor Awareness Campaign (ODAC), for the reason that thousand people languish on waiting lists due to the serious shortage of organs and several desperate families are seeking organs for transplantation. Life of sufferers could be saved if people start donating the organs of their deceased. Top management has devised a plan to give free liver transplant treatment to the first hundred patients if the adequate funds are provided by government. Surgeons claim that our staff is very capable and can do two liver transplant surgeries in one day. It has been dawned on us that the liver transplantation can be carried out successfully in Pakistan on a regular basis, without any foreign aid. Now the responsibility rests on the shoulders of those people who can assist in the funding of this cause. There are enough benevolent people in our society who regularly donate money for good causes. If the media spread awareness about this issue to people belonging to different social, political, and religious circles; they will definitely come forward to support this great cause and their help will go a long way in solving difficulties and will open new horizons for the development of the healthcare sector in Pakistan. On our part as a common Pakistani, we should not feel abhorrence for people who are suffering from such chronic diseases and should instead step forward and lend our support for this cause.
HHH September 11, 2011 SuNday Plus 51
society
FUND RAISING FOR THE FLOOD AFFECTED 1
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KARACHI: Sports starsjoined hands with SKF Pakistan to boost relief effortsbeing carried out by the company in Dadu.Afridi together with former Test cricketer Salahuddin Ahmed, former wicketkeeper SaleemYousuf and batsman Faisal Iqbal turned up at a fund-raiser hosted by IqbalHashmi, Managing Director SKF Pakistan at the Karachi Golf Club. Theevent was organised by IDEAS Events PR.
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1 Iqbal Hashmi and Kausar Ahmed 2 Faisal Iqbal 3 Shahid Afridi 4 Ali Hai, Maria Mahesar and Saeed Hai 5 Mr & Mrs Farhan Ahmed 6 Kashif and Nadeem 7 Humaira with guests 52 Sunday Plus September 11, 2011
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Birthday Bash 1
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Lahore: Mr and Mrs Aneek Akram hosted a party on the occasion of their son Aaron’s first birthday at a local hotel.
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1 Aneek,Kiran & Aaron 2 Dolly 3 Ghazala, Sarah & Nimra 4 Agha Ali & Ali Hussnain 5 Aneeka & Zoin 6 Kiran & Amna 7 Zenaas 8 Rev. Shahid 54 Sunday Plus September 11, 2011
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By Emanuel Sarfraz
56 Sunday Plus September 11, 2011
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The legend of
mons n Legend has it that peacocks dance during monsoon rains. As children we always believed in the myth and wanted to see the peacock dance, but it was not to be. Four decades later my childhood dream became a reality. On the insistence of my daughter the whole family went to the Lahore Zoo one drizzly day this month.
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The drizzle was continuing off and on while a light breeze continued to blow. My daughter holding my hand asked me to show her the peacock dance that I had told her about. There he was along with other peacocks displaying all his tail feathers in full glory. There was no dance going on which as a child I had imagined, but the peacock did move about in a grand manner. My daughter’s joy knew no bounds. She had seen the peacock ‘dance’ and would definitely be boasting about it to her friends in school. I too was happy to have seen it at last. The moment took me back to the good old days when monsoon season used to be a time to celebrate and enjoy. From time immemorial people of the great plains of Punjab have heaved a sigh of relief whenever they saw black clouds gathering on the horizon when summer heat would become almost unbearable. Mother Nature mechanism to provide them relief from the sweltering heat has always been rain. Water is the lifeline and this fact should never be forgotten. If monsoon rains September 11, 2011 Sunday Plus 57
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wreaked havoc last year it was due to the fact that we had failed to harness the rivers of our land by building dams and ignoring the activities of timber mafia that continues to cut down forests upcountry. The monsoon is also a season of muggy weather and the sweating that is part and parcel of the season. It is only the rain that brings relief from the humid weather conditions. After many years this year we had the perfect monsoon. Monsoon usually starts by the end of first week of July and continues till the first week of September. According to the local calendar it is the months of Sawan and Bhaddun that is rainy season. The first rains are supposed to be torrential while in the later it is light drizzle in pockets that means if in one part of Lahore there is rain the rest would remain dry. There is a legend that classical singers of the land could lure the monsoon clouds to make such a formation that rain would definitely come. No one has ever seen it happen. But even the classical singers of today say it is possible that raag Malhar if sung with true spirit and faith can bring rain. The scribe talking to some classical singers of Sham Churasi gharana learned that it was an art that has been lost. “The singer has to reach the level of singing of Taan Hussain. He has to practice for years very religiously. It is possible but then one should not forget it is all a myth,” the Ustad said. Monsoon has been a favourite subject of poets of the sub-continent. Almost every prominent poet has written about the romantic appeal of the weather. Urdu literature is full of references to the 58 Sunday Plus September 11, 2011
monsoon when lush greenery surfaces after a good shower. Poet Qateel Shifai’s song ‘Bhegai hoay moosam kay maza kyon nahin laytay’ (Why don’t you enjoy the wet weather) has been immortalized by the vocals of legendary singer Mehdi Hassan. Film directors catering to the feelings of the general public throughout the decades have included songs shot in monsoon rains. This was supposed to depict passion. Unfortunately when film industry’s decline began vulgar dances were introduced in songs shot in rain. The result was a wet T-shirt contest, and families began to stay away from watching such films. Childhood memories are always cherished. Down memory lane I remember going to the roof top and enjoying the different formations of clouds. Dark clouds
would come from the horizon and where there was light and a little sunshine, it would become almost completely dark. The sound of rumbling clouds and rain would start shortly. It was time to join friends in the street. There would be sheer excitement on everyone’s faces. It was the first monsoon rain and all young and old liked to get soaked in it. And what followed afterwards was a treat of the pakoras being made at home. Such delicacies were always affiliated with the monsoon rains. Other such delicacy being alloo walay parathay. It was age of excitement. A part of that still lives in all of us. Many of us have lost those wonderful times. It is not that it does not rain any more. But for the fact that we opted for the fast lane life and in the rush for development forgot the
romance of the monsoon season. Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet, says singer, song writer and actor Roger Miller. Well that may be true for most of the people. Walk in the rain always give pleasure to those who want to enjoy the beauty of nature. There is nothing more refreshing than a walk in the drizzle with a gentle wind blowing in your face. In our part of the world when there are torrential rains there also come troubles of transportation. Water inundates the streets as the sewerage system needs revamping. As a teen I remember the cycle races that we used to have in these streams of water that roads had turned into. Gone are the days, as the cycle riding culture has almost died in the country. Young people do not like to cycle, rather they want to race around on motorbikes. On the whole our young people are moving away from physical sports.
One reason is the race for grades and the other is lack of sports facilities, which no successive government tried to build in the last three decades. The few grounds that we had have disappeared. Shopping plazas and parking lots have replaced them. Monsoon rains are good for your health, elderly people used to say. They explained that the sun spots that appear on your body during the hot weather disappear immediately after you take a bath in the rain. And they did go away after we ran about in the rain playing with friends. Years have gone by. I never have those sun spots. That may be so because I do not roam around in the summer sun that as a child I used to do. Taking a bath in the rain is poor man’s luxury. A rich man can afford the luxury of air conditioners and going for swimming in the luxurious swimming pools. But for the man in the street it is rain that brings him relief and satisfaction. It is a common sight even today watching children and young enjoying in the rain. Rain is grace, rain is the sky condescending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life, says novelist and writer John Updike.
The writer is right, water is and has always been our lifeline. Pakistan is among the countries in the world that is blessed with four seasons and has diversity in landscape. From the snow covered mountains to the plains of Punjab and deserts and then to coastal belt we have all kinds of regions in one country. We should be proud of our inheritance and hopeful about our future while we work as sons of the soil in the land we have been blessed with.
Taking a bath in the rain is poor man’s luxury. A rich man can afford the luxury of air conditioners and going for swimming in the luxurious swimming pools. But for the man in the street it is rain that brings him relief and satisfaction.
September 11, 2011 Sunday Plus 59
FOOD
By Bishakha Kunwar
Kitchen Konfidential withMrsAzra Azra Syed is widely regarded as one of the most creative and versatile culinary personalities in Pakistan. She has been a part of the culinary landscape of Pakistan for over 35 years and is today one of the country’s most recognizable chefs. Her culinary expertise ranges from Japanese to Thai to Lebanese cooking, but it is to Pakistani cuisine that she has contributed most handsomely incorporating contemporary Pakistani dishes with more classic recipes successfully preserved from the past – a different era and handed on to her by her mother.
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n her comprehensive tome on Pakistani cooking, “Mrs Azra Syed’s Pakistani Cooking” she has a versatile repertoire on Pakistani cooking ranging from bread and breakfast, snacks, extensive main course recipes, pickles and chutneys as well as sweets and treats and custom made menus, perfect for dinner and lunch. Azra has had an illustrious career full of awards, distinctions and widespread recognition. She has earned national acclaim and has been invited as a judge and demonstrator on shows and for several clubs such as the Karachi Gymkhana, Memon Foundation Club, Busy Bee’s Club, Memon Professional Forum, Ikebana Club and the Horticulture Club. She has also hosted several television 60 SuNday Plus September 11, 2011
shows on popular Pakistani cooking channels. She continues to give cooking classes daily and has grown to become the veritable custodian of genuine Pakistani cuisine. She has taught and inspired a generation of young chefs such as Naheed Ansari, Sarah Riaz and Shirin Anwar, thus ensuring that the traditional and timeless cuisine of Pakistan is not forgotten. In conversation with Mrs. Azra Syed, Sunday Plus discovers about her cooking experiences and get to learn some necessary kitchen tips. S+: Tell us about your cookbook? Azra Syed: My first cookbook is “Mrs.
FOOD Azra’s Pakistani Cooking” published by Markings where I have tried to simplify Pakistani cooking in my book. It is also a handy guide for those who have never cooked.
start? Did you cook growing up? Azra: When I was a teenager I was not fond of cooking at all. My love for cooking started after my marriage.
S+: Your favourite cookbook? Azra: My favourite cookbooks are few, so I can’t name just one.
S+: What did you learn from your mother/grandmother that you use every day in the kitchen. What dish are you the most proud of? Azra: Cleanliness and systematic cooking – take out the ingredients to be used in the dish you are cooking before you start, it makes cooking easy and quick. I am most proud of sewaiyyon ka muzafar.
S+: What are your favourite dishes to cook during festive seasons? Azra: During Ramzan for Iftar, I usually cook mash dahibaras, black chaana, Moong Daal pakoras, different vegetable pakoras. For dinner, chicken achar, shaami kebab, boiled rice and daal. During Eid. I like to cook seekh kebab, boneless handi, stuffed keraila, fried chops, kunna, sewainyon ka muzafar, sheer khurma. S+: Name the most common foodborne illnesses and food allergies during this season and what kind of remedies should one be undertaking to avoid such problems? Azra: Some of the common foods borne illnesses during this season are stomach ache, heavy feeling, vomiting. Avoid eating too greasy food, eat fresh food and fruits. Most importantly do not overeat. S+: What do you have to say about the surge of cooking shows and channels in the recent years? Azra: In the recent years, the surge of cooking shows have made it easy for everybody to learn cooking sitting at home because many women cannot leave their homes to take cooking classes. So these cooking show have made it easier for people to learn how to cook. S+: Do you still teach and who are your protégés? Azra: I still have cooking classes almost every day. Shireen Anwar knew nothing about cooking when she came to my cooking classes. Some of my protégés are Sarah Riaz, Naheed Ansari, Saira Salahuddin and Rukhsana Sami. S+: What is your favorite food to cook with? Are there any ingredients that define your cooking? Azra: I love cooking pullao, koftas, karhai, keraila and tori. I mostly use ingredients such as garlic, turmeric, onion seed, fried onion, yogurt in place of tomato, coriander leaves and green chillies. S+: When did your love for cooking
for my kitchen, what should I buy as a home cook? Azra: I will buy a chopping board, chef knife, kitchen scissors, grinder, chopper, and a toaster. S+: What are your favorite kitchen tools? Azra: My favourite kitchen tools are a pair of tongs, kitchen scissors, potato masher, chef knife, whisk, frying spoon and a strainer.
S+: Which cuisine do you love to cook apart from Pakistani food? Have you ever adapted a recipe from another country? Azra: I love to cook Chinese, Thai, and Italian. I have adapted these recipes by adding some ingredients of my own. S+: What are your favourite newly discovered ingredients? Azra: My favourite newly discovered ingredients are rosemary, parsley, rocket and tarragon. S+: What is the most essential item in your kitchen? Azra: The most essential items in my kitchen is a grinder, chopper, toaster & a Kenwood Chef. S+: Funniest kitchen incident? Azra: I had not named the bottles semolina and gelatin, both were transparent and looked alike. Instead of kneading semolina I kneaded gelatine. It would not knead, I thought something was wrong with the semolina, I learnt always label your bottles. All my bottles are labeled now. S+: Do you feel the look of a plate is very important in terms of color, texture more than the palate? Azra: The look of a plate is indeed important in terms of colour and texture as it helps in increasing the appetite. But it the palate that more important than anything. A cook should never focus on apart from taste. S+:What ingredients should every home have in the cupboards or refrigerator? Azra: Every home should have all types of daals, rice, sugar, tea leaves, coffee, all spices. In the refrigerator one should have ginger and garlic paste, vegetables, fruits, yogurt, coriander leaves and green chillies. S+: If I can invest in only five things
S+: Best piece of advice you would give a novice and a home enthusiast? Azra: Best piece of advice for a novice would be don’t be afraid while cooking. Even if this is your first time and your dish does not turn out the way you had imagined, don’t give up. Try repeatedly and you will attain perfection. Keep trying new recipes and soon you will be a good cook, and your food will be appreciated by all. S+: Can you offer a word of advice for the chef of tomorrow? Azra: For the chefs of tomorrow, use fresh and the best ingredients and don’t divert from your original recipes.
HHH
September 11, 2011 SuNday Plus 61
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September 11, 2011 Sunday Plus 63
PICKS OF THE WEEK
HOTTESTT,, NEWES… LATEST
We at Sunday Plus are sharing our exclusive recommendations with all our readers. Read on for the best buys, the trendiest brands and the most enticing eateries that you need to know about. We slog through the jungle to bring you the hippest happenings and must-have information, right here in your copy of Sunday Plus: your essential weekend luxury.
A class in comedy
Saad Haroon, the creator of Blackfish and Shark, the two renowned Improvisational comedy troupes, is proud to bring you fantastic and fun filled improvisational comedy classes. Learn from the master of improvisation who introduced this art in Pakistan. With an experience of over 10 years, Saad has trained numerous comedians locally and internationally and is now holding his classes as an introduction to the art of Improvisational comedy. In the last class of this exciting course, students will showcase the skills they acquire from this workshop in a graduation show, where all students will perform in front of a live audience! This is an 8 week workshop every Friday starting from 16th September 2011. Fee: Rs. 8000, to be paid in advance and only limited seats per class, so sign up fast! At ActOne, Main Khyaban-e-Shabaz, Karachi
Shubinak Boskai Accessories
From beautiful, natural Valley of Chitral, Shubinak introduces Boskai (ZAMEEN, OUGH, and ANGAAR BOSKAI) cushions of many motifs and contemporary colours! Intricately detailed cross stitched, meticulously executed by women artisans who generally have little schooling due to cultural constraints. Each individual cushion is an education in itself and inspires awe for its unparalleled skill and design. Earth, Water, and Fire are the elements which have inspired these amazing creations. Location: The Pavilion 101, MM Alam Road, Lahore
Go La Moderno this Season with Lala! Naturally N‘eco’s
N‘eco’s Natural Store & café was launched as the first place in Pakistan to offer the finest selection of organic products available in the country. N‘eco’s uniqueness lies in the fact that it has three facets, a café offering healthy meals prepared using organic ingredients, a shop stocking a wide variety of organic groceries and a boutique bakery for gourmet cakes, cookies and bread. Address: 8C, Lane #1, Bukhari Commercial Area, Phase 6, Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Karachi. Contact: 021-35844517/ 021-35242654.
64 SuNday Plus September 11, 2011
The House of Lala’s high end custom designer line La Moderno is steeped in the embroidered aesthetic. Indeed the ethos of La Moderno are designs that combine existing tradition within a contemporary context. La Moderno itself offers a variety of designs from the more minimalist aesthetic to engaging floral, ethnic, oriental, and modern art inspirations thereby catering to a diversity of women and their personal styles. La Moderno is available at all leading stores and is perfect for this mid summer weather. Go get your affordable outfit today!