JUly 03, 2016
Hey Weekenders!
CONTENTS 06. Around Town... One party at a time! 46. All That Glitters Ivy Luxury Pret reveals a gleaming new Eid Collection. 52. Shop It Like Its Hot
6 New Beauty Products that have us itching to spend.
62. Travel & Cake
Shanal Kazi takes us on a sky-scraping journey to Jakarta.
66. Weekend Scouts
Our emerging new talent this week is artist Abdullah Qureshi.
70. The Reading Room
New!
Asmara Ahmed of The Dr. Reads reviews bestselling thriller, Gone Girl.
72. W’s Roving Eye
This week’s hottest looks! Who made the style A- list?
76. Hot Date
In conversation with a weaver of words, Momina Mela.
80. Kings of the Television Throne
TV series to binge-watch post GoT.
86. Love Struck
Weekend’s editors’ picks!
Chairperson/Publishing Editor: Rameeza Majid Nizami Editor The Nation: Salim Bokhari Editor-at-Large: Amal Khan Managing Editor: Shazay Salahuddin Features Editor: Nur Zehra Qadri Contributing Editor: Minahil Batool Shirazi Sub Editor: Rana Faizan Hussain Karachi Correspondent: Farah Vayani Fashion Correspondent: Fatima Ameer Creative Head: Faiz-ur-Rehman Creative Team: Faisal Fazal, Talat Mahfooz, Zeeshan Arif, Shoaib Qadir Photographer: M. Basharat Irshad GM Marketing: Bilal Mahmood For Advertising: Kherzan Zaidi - 0321 8976730, Ata-ur-Rehman - 0332 2427473, Khalid Sheikh - 0345 5130728
Eid is just a few moons away and it’s safe to say that our shopping carts have easily exceeded our expectations and pockets combined. Speaking of Eid, we have Ivy Luxury Pret’s latest collection on our cover and editorial shoot. Inside we have a jam-packed list of features, our hot date this week is with poet Momina Mela, who recently had her work published in The New Yorker! In Weekend Scouts we met up with new artist on the block, Abdullah Qureshi. We unlock The Reading Room, our spanking new feature, with Dr. Reads’ book review of Gone Girl. Minahil Shirazi gives us a list of the hottest new beauty items on sale and since Game of Thrones is out of our lives for a good whole year, we give you a list of TV shows to help curb the withdrawals. For all this and a round about town, get the pages rolling y’all! Sincerely, Team Weekend.
weekend | around town
Lock it, block it, polka dot it Mashaal Moazzam brings her Exclusive Eid Collection at PFDC Fashion Active, Gulberg Lahore. Event was managed by SAVVY PR.
Rizwana, Mashaal Moazzam & Dr Amena
Rima & Lisa Rizvi
Hina & Kynat
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Saad & Hifsa
Ayesha & Momin
Momina Khyal
Rubia & Ramshay
Aamir Mazhar & Sarah Raza
weekend | around town
Kuki
Maleeha & Rehana
Amina & Dr Shahida
Fatima, Sehar & Mahi
Dr Moazzam Baig & Rizwana
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Bushra & Amani
Mehreen
Maha
Laila
Hina Ejaz
weekend | around town
Fabulosity from the UAE Mr & Mrs Yasir Ali Shah with Syeda Mina & Zain
Abeer Rizvi
Chef Samia, Kiran Khan & Rija Ali
Moiz Kazmi with Asadullah
Faiq Khan with friend
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Muskan with Asad Butt
Fabulous Clothing by Syeda Mina launched its first flagship in Pakistan. The event PR was managed by Moiz Kazmi and team.
Arsalan, Samra & Hasan Soomro
weekend | around town
Sunita Marshall
Javeriya Hanif
Tipu Yorguc Shareef
Mathira
Rose
Fia Khan
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Amna Ilyas
Xille Huma
Gia Ali
Hami
Faheem Abbas
Sadia Ghaffar
weekend | around town
Mashal & Rubina Azmat
Summer Rave Saira Shakira launched their Eid Collection at Gulberg Galleria, Lahore.
Shakira & Saira
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Nayyab & Minahil
Aamir Mazhar & Rema Farid
Shela & Maria
Minahil
Sadaf & Shanzey
Urva
Rehan & Shirin
weekend | around town
Seep
Nayyab
Shakeela
Neelam
Sam Ali Dada
Ramshey Sheikh
Zahra Naveed
Unaza
Veneesa
Sheza Hassan
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Roma
weekend | around town
Azhar & Hadiya
Shades of Summer Tabya & Anvaar Malik
QYT & Alyzeh Gabol
Rima Farid & Amna
Maira & Umair Rana
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Habib & Shafaq
Tabya Khan launched her Eid Collection in Lahore. The event was done by QYT & PR by SAVVY.
Anika & Saba Khan
Shanzay Sheikh
Mashaal Moazzam & Maleeha
weekend | around town
Shoaeb & Annie
Kuki
Rabab
Sarah Gandapur
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Shirmeen Asif, Aamir Mazhar & Sonia Malik
Amber Sajid, Rubina Azmat & Aliya
Sam Dada
Anum Raheel
Momina Khayal
Nayab
weekend | around town
Amber & Rubina
Summer Fling Maheen Taseer held an exhibition of her latest collection in Lahore.
Shehrbano Taseer
Maheen Taseer
Sheema & Hira
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Maha & Sana
Amna
Areej & Huma Sheikh
Hamida, Anila & Maria
Reema Taseer
weekend | around town
Faiza Bashir
Fariha, Wajiha & Noor
Fareeda & Ambreen
Iram Ghani
Hamna Shahid
Natasha Monnoo
Saman
Tahia
Numra Waqas
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Sherrzad Rahimtoola & Anahita
weekend | around town
Mehreen Rizvi
An Affair at Mayfair Ana Ali & Hamna Amir
Rabia Malik & Neeta Gurtata
Hajira Ahmad, Rana Noman & Shivani Ahluwalia
Seema Chopra & Sukeshi Pabari
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Nadia Malik & Bushra Khan
A Summer Preview exhibition took place in London. The event was managed by Hajira Ahmad and Shivani Ahluwalia.
Fabiha & Mini Bhuwania
Hajira Ahmad & Aamir Mazhar
Faisal Babri & Sam Ali Dada
weekend | around town
Sonia Thadani & Preeti Ragoowansi
Radhika Channa, Shivani & Rita Mehta
Saira Haque Ali & Sumaera Siddiqui
Zeaba Laskar & Leena Chowdhry
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Mandeep & Shivani Ahluwalia
Shabana Khan
Shamaail Ansari
Natasha Bhandari, Hajira Ahmad & Sukeshi Pabari
Jyoti Chandhok & Akshta Tiwari
weekend | around town
Faizan Haqque
Kids Meet World Andy Birds launched its first store in Karachi. The Event PR was managed by Catalyst.
Abubakr & Umair
Shaista Lodhi
Mujtaba Javaid
Mariam Sarwar Sheikh
Ali
Maaz
Sania
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Tania
Salman & Aiza
Waqas
weekend | around town
Munazza & Hira Mela
A Scoop of Joy Cold Stone Creamery & Cafe launched in DHA Lahore. The Event PR was managed by Aamir Mazhar.
Adnan Asad & Bibi Asad
Amina & Alhan
Audery & Zachary
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Hina Malik & Almirah
Rubia Moghees
Iman & Momin
Qudsia, Rima & Mumtaz
Babar & Meg
weekend | around town
Shima, Nazi & Maneha
Sobia & Asad Sheikh
Samina & Hassan
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Onaza & Ali Moin
Atif, Ahmer, Natty & Asif
Kashmala Tariq & Saima Malik
Siffat
Kuki
Dr Farzeen Malik
weekend | around town
Mickey Arthur
A Gentleman’s Game The British High Commissioner, Mr. Thomas Drew CMG, hosted an Iftar Reception for the Pakistan Cricket Team in Lahore.
Zachary Harkenrider & Thomas Drew
Samuel Heath & Waqas Akram
Walid Iqbal & Nurzia
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Jahnzaib Khan & Zainab
Ahmed Kardar & Uzma Kardar
Kelsey Hoppe, John Casson & Nusrat Jameel
Naila
Kamiar Rokni, Sanam & Umer
weekend | around town
Najam Sethi
Shaharyar Khan
Mr & Mrs Shahid with Daoud
Intikhab Alam
Rizwan Khan
Humayun Akhtar
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Shahid Malik & Gazala Malik
Muhammad Hafiz
Younas Khan
Misbah ul Haq
Yasir
weekend | around town
Beauty and Bling! Gohar Khakwani, Meera, Amna & Badar
Ghazala
Iman
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Sanaa
M Studio by Meera Gohar launched new salon ‘M Studio Men & Women Salon’ in Islamabad. The event was managed by Harry Events and PR.
Nayab
Guest
Meera, Sana & Noor
Khalid with model
Ayesha
ALL THAT GLITTERS Ivy Luxury Pret’s Eid Collection 2016 is all about classic cuts with a modern twist. Our pieces personify the feminine spirit, featuring soft palettes and delicate embellishments that are the perfect ode to summer luxe.
Ivy Luxury Pret Collection Photographer Rizwan baig Model Amna Ilyas
6
New Beauty Products We Are Excited About
In the beauty world, products are being launched throughout the year—every season brings a new collection of products. Beauty bloggers, industryinsiders and the brands themselves market new products really well which only leaves us (consumers) impatient for their release. Through trawling our Instagram feed and reading our favourite beauty blogs, we have combined a list of new beauty products that have us excited like a child on Christmas.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow palette
Inspired by the paintings of the Renaissance period, this new eyeshadow offering from Anastasia Beverly Hills is what neutral palette dreams are made of. But wait a minute, this isn’t your average neutrals palette—this is a palette that offers fourteen shades that range from mostly mattes to a couple of shimmer shadows and it includes those transition shades that are an essential item in every MUA’s kit but also vibrant berry-toned shades. It’s the first permanent palette from the brand so no disappointment accompanies this one like the previous limited edition ones did. We’ve tried the brand’s eyeshadows so we know when it comes to pigmentation and easy-to-blend formula, the Renaissance palette will pack a punch. And to top it all off, the palette includes a dual-sided soft bristle brush which rivals our MAC ones—we know this, because we have one from a previous palette. This one is already in our shopping basket.
Lip Contour by Huda Beauty
Lip liners are definitely having a moment right now—the nifty pencils from the ‘90s are back with a bang ever since Kylie Jenner made them popular. And we can see the hype ourselves; as they are in pencil form they are easier to apply colour with and you can use them to shape your lips for a fuller look. And the latest ones on the market are by none other than the mastermind behind the best false lashes in the beauty world—Huda Kattan. These lip contours are currently sold out around the world which of course, only makes us want them more. They are described as a multi-tasking lip liner-meet lipstick that are hydrating and provide a velvety-matte colour that conditions the lips too. The lip contours come in nine shades and promise colour pigmentation and longevity. All that, in one pencil? Just wait a second, while we go join the mailing list for when they are re-stocked. Oh, and if that isn’t enough to whet your appetite, Huda is also releasing liquid lipsticks later in the year.
Urban Decay Vice Lipstick
Is it just us or is Urban Decay killing the makeup game with stellar new releases? There isn’t enough time to get used to one of their product launches when they surprise us with another one—not that we’re complaining, we love it. One of their recent and exciting launches is hundred new shades of their Vice lipstick. Yep, you read that right—100 new shades! Is that insane? Yes, but we’re not mad. Of course we won’t buy all hundred shades (not yet, anyway) but we definitely like having choices—after all, variety is the spice of life. The lipsticks come in six different finishes: Mega Matte, Comfort Matte, Cream, Metallized, Sheer and Sheer Shimmer so there is literally something for everyone.
Becca Cosmetics x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection
We love it when the big brands collaborate with renowned beauty bloggers or in this case, a beauty YouTuber you may all know as Jaclyn Hill, the chirpy and sassy highlighting queen of the YouTube world. Last year, we got our hands on her first collaboration which was the Champagne Pop highlighter by Becca Cosmetics and oh boy, it did not disappoint. This time around Jaclyn Hill and Becca bring us mere mortals who love to highlight, the ultimate collection to give our complexions (and yours) endless light and the perfect glow. The collection includes a face palette that has two highlighters plus three different blush shades, a liquid, cream and pressed version of the original Champagne Pop highlighter and an eyeshadow palette. Are we crazy about highlighters? A big resounding YES to that. Do we need it all? No, but want > need.
weekend | lifestyle Fashion
Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops
Speaking of blinding someone with our highlight, the brand Cover FX has released a drop formula that will highlight, strobe, bronze, basically make your skin look like a Victoria’s Secret model. The beauty of these drops is that you can add them to any liquid cosmetic or skincare product and be luminous. You can use the drops alone, on top of powder, mix it in with your moisturiser or foundation. The possibilities of glowing are endless and this one sounds like highlighting crack for us!
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Glamglow Gravitymud Firming Treatment
We don’t typically get too excited about face masks but when something has the words ‘gravity’ and ‘firming’ in it and comes in a silver colour, we definitely want it!This is an instant firming, tightening, silver peeloff treatment that comes with a brush for application. It’s good for all skin types—so all you normal, oily, combination and dry skinned girls can have a go at it too. But what it’s supposed to be great at reversing is loss of firmness, elasticity, fine lines, and wrinkles. Now we’re not saying any of us are getting older because we ‘firmly’ believe age is just a number but hey!It won’t hurt if we start our anti-ageing regime early on, in case old age does decide to pop by. And the coolest part of course is that you look like a silver alien whilst waiting for the mask to do its thing. We like that.
weekend | travel
Serenity, Solitude and Serendipity:
The Indonesian Getaway
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Part 1: Jakarta
weekend | travel
Hi, I’m Shanal Qazi and I’m going to use this space to share my favourite spots in Indonesia. While I was there, I got the chance to explore and experience the diverse culture of the city, so here’s my scoop!
T
he busiest leg of my trip to Indonesia started with a touchdown in Jakarta for a few days. Having lived there for a few years nearly two decades ago as a child, I had a great sense of nostalgia for this bustling metropolis and its simple people. Indonesia, home to 25 million people is a country which has witnessed an influx of many different civilizations. The significance of it is attributable to its tropical climate and strategic sea-lane position which many centuries ago allowed for trade to flourish in the region – thus shaping the country’s history, making it home to a mosaic of diverse cultures, religions and ethnicities. It is an archipelagic country of 17,508 islands, of which, only 6,000 magnificent islands are inhabited. Jakarta, its capital was an interesting cosmopolitan in the making; one could draw parallel with it being like a young adolescent battling with his/her parents on embracing modernity or adopting traditionalism. Although this was not my first trip back to the city, I could clearly see that both seemed to exist almost seamlessly side by side. The juxtaposition of gleaming glass sky scrapers and small busy lanes with people straddling about with fruits and local delicacies in baskets on their heads added to the city’s unique character. This city is home to anyone and anything and this truly is the magic of Jakarta. After a day or two of shopping in Jakarta’s fancy malls, I went to explore Jakarta on foot, away from the hustle bustle and traffic. Being an avid art junkie, I vis-
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TRAVEL & CAKE
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ited some contemporary art galleries. Indonesia being colonized by the Portuguese and Dutch whilst retaining strong Hindu and Buddhist influences makes it a treasure chest of art and culture. I started off at Art: 1, housed in two buildings, one with a permanent collection of works by modern Indonesian masters and the other which focuses on contemporary works by emerging Indonesian artists. Upon entering I was enthralled with the expression in some paintings, sculptures and multimedia installations. One could see traces of colonialism in these works and also representations of protest in more recent works. After this, I visited a quaint gallery in the same area called Ruangrupa, an artist- led, nonprofit organization which aimed to support the local art scene through workshops and festivals. The gallery provides an exhibition space for young artists, sculptors and writers. The curators were more than friendly and shared how much of the art exhibited is by artists in rural Indonesia who cannot afford to show on bigger platforms. Moreover, funding for such initiatives is scarce but in the coming years there is hope for positive development. Next on my list of things to do for the day was local street food - probably not the best option for weak stomached people! I stopped at a ‘Warung’, Indonesia’s equivalent to a ‘Dhaba’ and asked for Satay, an East Asian delicacy made of chicken, beef or duck. The owner in his broken English told me that the specialty is duck satay, I asked him for a plate and finished it quickly, famished from the day’s cultural exploration. Modern Jakarta was connected to its traditional roots and many people made a stop at this Warung, young and old, rich and poor. Having said that, in the 4 days I had spent in Jakarta, I also saw modern aspects such as a vibrant nightlife and many young people. My favorite go – to places in the evenings were Loewe, Baco, Cork and Screw, Sky Lounge, Social House, Akira, and Kings. Food was important here and due to the city’s multi ethnic population, one could find any sort of it. On my last day, I visited a local market called PasarBaru; here one could buy Indonesian, Malaysian, Korean, Chinese and Thai fabric. There were many small lanes with local street food vendors selling fruit and snacks. This area was underdeveloped compared to areas where one could find big malls and nightlife. The feel was traditional and authentic – it was a rare treat to see this anymore in such a rapidly blossoming metropolis.
weekend | lifestyle
Weekend Scouts Abdullah Qureshi
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Artist -Gallery 39K Lahore
What does the word Art mean to you? What kind of art do you most identify with and why? That’s a tough one... As a practitioner, I see myself rooted in the abstract expressionist history of painting. I’m naturally attracted to works that are bold in terms of expression and colour. But, along with that, I’ve found I really enjoy contemporary photography.
weekend | lifestyle
What is your work influenced by? Think abstract painter’s have influenced my work a lot. To begin with, one of my mentor’s, Rakhshanda Atawar. Other than that, I would think artists like Gerard Richter or even, Luc Tuymans.
What was the very first piece you created? Honestly, can’t remember. My mother recently showed me a drawing I made in Kindergarten. Was interesting to see my line work then. Free from any training, and sense of being conscious.
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How would you describe your pieces? Despite my work being very obviously abstract, I actually see them as landscapes. They invite the viewer to stand in front of them and experience them. At least that’s the hope!
weekend | lifestyle
Name a few artists who inspire you. As well as some of the painters I’ve mentioned above, photographers have inspired me a lot. In particular I love the work of Cindy Sherman, Nan Goldin and Wolfgang Tillmans. I also really like Shahzia Sikander and Naiza Khan.
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Are there any memorable responses you have received for your work? Someone once said, “you know, I’ve realised, it’s not very tough to make the work you do, but in fact to stand next to it and justify it”. Made me giggle. Is there anyone in particular you would like to create a piece for? Who would it be and why? Hmmm... never actually thought about this one. I’m not sure if there is anyone who I’d like to create work for, but perhaps a list of artists I would have loved to collaborate with. Thinking of Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner to begin with - in many ways I see them as the trigger point for painting as it is today. What is your ultimate goal/dream as an artist? I hope to be able to continue painting, and find the answers that I seek through it.
weekend | books
The Reading Room Book: Gone Girl Author: Gillian Flynn review: Asmara Ahmed - the doctor reads
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‘Gone Girl’ belongs to this category of books that I’ve personally labeled, ‘Blip Books’-- one minute they’re all over your social media radar-- ALL your friends are reading it!-- and a couple of months later, not a blip. Was it because of the highly anticipated screen adaptation? Was it the way the novel was screamingly endorsed by so many big names? Or was it, simply, the book itself? Don’t get me wrong, for a lazy weekend, ‘Gone Girl’ delivers admirably-- but while it aims to emulate the surgical sadism of Bret Easton Ellis’s ‘American Psycho’ it fails to understand one very key element about its audience: we’re not rooting for any of the characters here. Not once. Not at any point. I have never been so
Favourite lines:
“I can’t recall a single amazing thing I have seen firsthand that I didn’t immediately reference to a movie or TV show. An f-ing commercial. You know the awful singsong of the blasé: Seeeen it. I’ve literally seen it all, and the worst thing, the thing that makes me want to blow my brains out, is: The secondhand experience is always better. The image is crisper, the view is keener, the camera angle and the soundtrack manipulate my emotions in a way reality can’t anymore. I don’t know that we are actually human at this point, those of us who are like most of us, who grew up with TV and movies and now the Internet. If we are betrayed, we know the words to say; when a loved one dies, we know the words to say. If we want to play the stud or the smart-ass or the fool, we know the words to say. We are all working from the same dog-eared script.”
Plot wins over characterization in this case but it is such an overburdened horse that by the end of the book you’re just glad to be done with its convoluted marital machinations.
My recommendation: read it for the fastpaced, whiplash-inducing plot twists and forget the incredibly two-dimensional characters and their questionable motivations. It’s a fun, if somewhat,
It’s a very difficult era in which to be a person, just a real, actual person, instead of a collection of personality traits selected from an endless Automat of characters.
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Yet, the writing itself is masterful. You get the sense that Gillian Flynn is only now stretching her wings, testing the limits of her insightful and often biting narrative voice. She could school a few well-known names in pacing a novel-- her plot scorches along THAT fast. I also loved how her insights into modern marital life are eerily reminiscent of Chuck Palahniuk from his ‘Fight Club’ era. Still, Flynn tries too hard to break out of the mould of generic chick lit, so much so that ‘Gone Girl’ becomes a caricature of the sneering anti-chick-lit-’cool’girl it so desperately wants to be.
shallow dive into what passes for marriage in this century.
weekend | books
emotionally disconnected from a book as I was while reading this. At its worst, it left me exasperated and rolling my eyes. Had the book been less well-written (I’m looking at you, E. L. James), I probably would not have bothered picking it up. Plot wins over characterization in this case but it is such an overburdened horse that by the end of the book you’re just glad to be done with its convoluted marital machinations.
weekend | FASHION
W’s ROVING
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Mahira Khan Is there anything this girl cannot wear and look good in? Mahira Khan keeps it simple yet classy in an all black shalwar kameez and a coin necklace inspired by Ancient Greece.
Nooria Khan Nooria Khan is a sight for sore eyes in this white Natasha Kamal outfit paired with blush accessories-we definitely approve!
Minahil Qasim You really can’t go wrong with black--it works all year round as Minahil Qasim shows in this oversized tunic and culottes paired with a vibrant lip.
weekend | FASHION
G eye
W
ell, what’s the use of a pair of good eyes that never rove? Weekend’s been going through our fashion files for the week and these are the people who caught our fancy for either their style, their courage or their star power. Well played!
Tahia akram saira Faisal
isn’t afraid to wear a bold red in the summer heat and she proves the adage that less is more by letting the red talk rather than any distracting accessories.
We love this combo of a cream kurta with a white pair of trousers and we adore the detailing on those sleeves, it’s totally summer-time appropriate.
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Natasha Kamal
This pale blue and white outfit with the matching khusas is making our pulses race-the short shirt with cutwork detailing and tulip shalwar is perfect for any summer event in your social calendar.
weekend | conversation
In Conversation with
Momina Mela
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Momina Mela is a poet based in Lahore whose works have been published in The New Yorker, Horse Less Review, The Blueshift Journal and The Lighthouse Journal amongst others. This week we met up with this gifted artist for an engaging conversation on cultural identities, the written voice, and scientific structures of words and images that ground the foundation of poetry. NZQ: What is the significance of poetry to you? When and how did you begin to write? MM: I think poetry is culture. I’ve always been fond of writing as a kid but became drawn towards poetry specifically in college. I was living in West London and my university was in South East London and I used to commute for an hour each, back and forth. Through that commute I gained a city consciousness, London is a very multi-cultural place; it has so many people, so many languages, and so many textures. My poetry picked up a different dynamic from there. I felt like there was a lot more to convey and there were many ways to convey that. Also, I was always very fascinated by language as a teenager, I wasn’t drawn to plots or stories but primarily the language; the love for language drew me to poetry. NZQ: How would you describe your written voice? MM: The written voice is something I always debate about with other poets. People assume the poet is supposed to have a voice and I feel it
Where: Momina Mela residence What We Ate: Lemonade
is important because it gives you direction, however, for me what is more relevant is to talk about the energy in your work. Your written voice can’t really be placed until you’ve penned a huge body of work. Also, establishing the voice depends on how the reader’s receive your work. The voice can never be independent and so it is not what I really concern myself with. I’m usually more focused on style and energy; it’s lazy to depend on that single mystical voice because it makes you stop experimenting and limits your play with poetry structures. NZQ: How does a poem take shape for you, with an idea, a word, an image or out of nothing at all? MM: A poem grows over many weeks, sometimes months and like you said it takes the shape of just a word or idea that takes long to crystallize. The poem usually kicks off with a few words knocking in my head. I usually don’t focus on subject matter but on how the poem functions. If it’s about just one thing, it doesn’t work, because it falls flat but I want to make it work by stretching its form and experimenting with line breaks. Its almost like a science.
weekend | conversation
The poem has to reveal its intention to you and it won’t do that in a day.
box, such stereotypes derail you from other paths that can be explored. I want to talk about my culture, but also about trees, cats nature, the sky is the limit. I should have that liberty. NZQ: How do you relate to your South Asian identity and how much do you propose to break away from it? Your poem ‘How to Take off a Sari” arguably reflects a certain distancing or moving forward from said identity. Can you discuss this further? MM: ‘How to Take off a Sari’ is about women’s bodies and revolves around the South Asian woman’s body, in particular, and her space in the city and public space that she loves but it doesn’t love her back. It’s a response to the patriarchal ideals of that public space, she’s trying to love a city that doesn’t love her and with that there is a lot of violence, compromise and sacrifice. The poem comes from a deeply south Asian place but it’s a very liberating poem, attempting to depart from these stereotypes as well. There are so many readings, like I said its all about the reader’s reception. A Hindu woman was offended by the poem that it misrepresents/stereotypes Hindu women. It was a surprising and challenging conversation. I tried to clear her misconception saying that there was more to it than what meets the eye. Also, this is one of the few poems that I wrote in two drafts. It felt incomplete and that I feel is part of its appeal NZQ: Is there anything else in particular you are trying to or want to communicate through poetry? MM: I don’t really adapt to one ideology and I hope that I never do - but one specific thing that I’m always drawn tois the idea of the body and not just women’s bodies. In one of my poems I use a lot of medical terminology, it amazes me that there’s a special language dedicated to the body alone and I try to incorporate those words in my work. They made me very aware of anatomy, not just human anatomy but of animals, nature and even celestial beings. I love
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NZQ: Tell us about your writing process, pen and paper, computer, notebooks, notes on tissues, how and where do you write? MM: I don’t follow the romantic form of writing. I’m very comfortable on my laptop but if I don’t have it then pen and paper it is. Experimenting with line breaks and forms is easier on computer. My writing process is quite sporadic, sometimes I’ll write two three poems at once or nothing for five to six months. But if I’m not writing, it doesn’t mean the poem is not happening, because it is; somewhere internally or externally it’s happening. It comes with a lot of patience and time Have you ever written a hasty poem? MM: Yes, many! But they never work out. The first draft of the poem is not really the poem. It’s just a structure, the poem has to reveal its intention to you and it won’t do that in a day. NZQ: I may be wrong but I sense a lot of oriental imagery in your works, particularly in The PostCard Series? Is that something intentional? What role does your South Asian origin play in your art and to what extent? MM: That poem depends on the images and ideas of superstition that travel through our daily life in South Asia. We sort of evoke certain superstitions like “nazar” or certain heirlooms or trinkets like taweez; the poem takes a snapshot of these superstitions in the region. It’s so relevant; we practice these things on a daily basis. South Asian culture plays a role in my work because I am a South Asian woman and there are things that will resonate accordingly in my poems but I shy away from being labeled a South Asian poet because it’s so limiting. If you’re not white or don’t belong to a certain hegemonic culture then you and your work are always at the risk of being marginalized. Whether you like it or not, poetry is a political act, writing it is a political act. I don’t have to be overt about it but I also can’t ignore it. I don’t want to be put in a
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the idea of the body acting as a vehicle for life. It’s a recurring theme in my work; it gives you so much to write about. I once wrote a poem about a whale, some years ago there was a sperm whale found in America and people didn’t know what to do with it so they attached bombs to the poor thing and watched it blast; it was made into a spectacle. This idea of animal bodies being watched as spectacles is very interesting to me. NZQ: What’s the best advice you ever been given to encourage your creative process? MM: I think most poets and writers will give you this advice, to just read everything. There is so much work out there, don’t stop at the classics or the romantics. NZQ: Are there any poets or writers who influence your writing? MM: Usually it’s a very difficult thing to place your influence, because you’re not aware of it. Ocean Vuong is a Viatnamese American poet who is writing bold and delicate things. Mary Ruefle is another poet who is concerned with the inner workings of the psyche and writes about the unconscious with such clarity. I also read a lot of my friend Aria Aber’s works. We started writing at the same time and these are the people that I talk to about poetry, so my influence probably essentially lies over there. NZQ: What, in your opinion, is the best way to understand/read poetry? MM: That’s a good question. People think there’s only one kind of poetry. Specifically in schools we are taught to read the likes of Wordsworth and Shakespeare but no one is taught to depart from that. A part of the problem of people not being able to read or love poetry is that no one relates to Shakespeare or Wordsworth. American modernist poets like Plath and Sexton provided a gateway for non-poetry readers to become interested in poetry. Today poetry is such a recognised and celebrated form. Even Instagram has these social media poets
My advice to aspiring poets would be to just read everything! Depart from cliches!
RapidFire
City: Lahore
TV Show: Orange is the New Black
writing these versed posts that people can directly relate to. I’ll always advise anyone who is interested in poetry to read contemporary online poetry journals, like The Paris Review or The New Yorker. NZQ: Is there anything else you can tell us that would be interesting or helpful to other aspiring poets? MM: My advice to aspiring poets would be to just read everything! Depart from cliches! Try to achieve originality and know that it’s a part of your psyche. You need to read and find how other people hone their originality. Be bold in your work, you don’t need to seek validation or permission from parents or anyone else to be a writer, you just need a laptop or pen and paper to do it. If you feel the need to ask permission then you must revise why you want to be a writer at all. Don’t be dictated by societal pressures. I’ve written poetry while having a full time job and still carried on with my poetry throughout my various jobs and degree. It just depends on how much you want to do it. NZQ: Okay so let’s get to know you a little better with. Tell us something no one knows about you. MM: I have a bad bird phobia. NZQ: What is the craziest thing you have ever done? MM: Become a poet NZQ: Name one thing on your bucket list. MM: I hate bucket lists NZQ: What is something you will never compromise on? MM: My artistic values (that’s so cheesy!) NZQ: Something you will always take out time for? MM: Reply to emails (I never reply to emails) NZQ: Our final and most clichéd question: What is your ultimate dream? MM: To leave a significant body of work behind, after I’m gone, so people can hopefully learn something from it
Film: Dogtoot, Me and You way), Indie Bands, Hip Hop Food: Everything and Everyone We Know (basically everything) Style icon: My mom Music: Qawaali, Bad 90s Book: Poet in New York by Spirit Animal: Whale music (and not in an ironic Federico Garcia Lorca
weekend | lifestyle
New Kings ofthe Television throne Winter is here, but the next season of Game of Thrones is a year away!! If like us, your television life is facing an existential crisis, have no fear!! The TV Survival Guide To Life Without Game of Thrones is here!!
Orange Is The New Black
Just having ended its fourth season, on an emotional note, we can’t wait for OITNB to come back with more. Constantly surprising and refreshing its characters, it’s a great way to spend your time. We love the way the show’s creators weave in the backstories of each inmate, and how these backstories confront our prejudices and challenge our assumptions about how each iname got to the Litchfield Penitentiary. Also, the uber realistic portrayal of people who look like us is a welcome break from the corseted, HDmakeup-covered heroines who front every other drama.
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Dickensian
With just one season of 20 episodes, Dickensian is a little period drama entertainment combining some of the most famous characters from the novels of Charles Dickens. Scrooge, Fagin, and Amelia Havisham, make an appearance just to name a few. The BBC axed the series after one season, but even that one season is well worth a watch.
This historic character findslife in a Netflix series of the same name, which chronicles the reign of Kublai Khan. Kublai, descended from Changez Khan, rules Monglia with an iron fist. His initial suspicion of the European foreigner, Marco Polo, turns into a uniquely trusting friendship. Marco Polo not only becomes his advisor, but also the eyes through which the reign of Kublai Khan will be relived in history. Lots of blood and gore and intrigue make this a satisfying and fast-paced watch. Don’t believe the grouchy reviewers, tune in and we promise you’ll love it! The series has been renewed for a second season, which will start airing on July 1, 2016.
weekend | lifestyle
Marco Polo
Bates Motel
The series tells the story of Norman Bates, and his mother Norma Bates, who move towns to start a new life, only to find that they cannot leave their darker sides behind. Now in its fourth season, the show is the absorbing journey of Norman Bates to -- well, basically Psycho! Find out how Norman goes from normal, to keeping Norma’s skeleton in a haunted house and basically hacking up anyone who comes to the motel they started together.
We’re recommending a little watched movie here, because its got everything; romance, ambition, intrigue, costumes, handsome hunks, feisty madams, and just about everything else. Thomas Hardy’s (miserable) epic is actually a joyous romp on the big screen, and we heartily recoomend it if youre feeling a little broody and blue to set you in a good mood.
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Bonus Round Far From The Madding Crowd
LOVES #EID EDITION
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Gift Baskets
Price on Order @MSCreations
The Wine Cabinet
Price on Request ww.aurumhome.co
Editors’ picks
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NTHLY MINI MO R PLANNEcut.pk/photos