Posts tagged Karachi

#KHIBookSwap – My Baby Turns 2!

Books & Reading
Dear Readers,

Not long ago, I moved back to my country in search of a new life and a new dream. With my aspirations, traveled my love of the written word as well and I found myself lost amidst of writers, bloggers, photographers, painters and musicians. Not that I had any problems with any of them but what my heart desired was nowhere to be found.

A sanctuary where the written word was adored and perhaps even worshiped! I was in search of a “Book Club” to quench my thirst of like-minded individuals who were as crazy as I was for reading. But none even came close. And then entered Farman Shams, the man who would one day – be the father to my safe haven. Together Farman and I laid the foundation to “KHI Book Swap” as Pakistan’s first ever book swapping book club and promised each other a lifetime of “Doing Books”.



On August 16, 2014, Farman and I hosted our club’s first ever meeting (monthly meet) and let’s just say it did not start on a good note but little did we know that it was the start of something sweet and something luminous. It’s been two (02) exciting years of “KHI Book Swap” where every month we find ourselves surrounded by bookworms, bibliophiles and hardcore readers. I have actually found a few friends for life all thanks to this cozy, little book club of ours. Farman and I have been pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming response from many cities in the country. Often we receive queries in regard to our book club, it’s policies etc.
Allow me to narrate a comprehensive outlook regarding my baby.

If you are still reading this means you are clearly interested in becoming a part of our book club.

So here is the deal, our book club is stationed or in other words has its headquarters in Karachi. We do not have any (yet) branches, associations or affiliations with anyone or any other club/body/organization/group in any other city of the country. 

You can easily find us online including on a number of popular social media networks. We are currently active on three (03) social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. On Facebook you will find an official page to the establishment as well as a Group where you can join from anywhere in the country. The group is open to interested members from all corners of the globe. Each month we announce our “Genre of the Month” or “Selection of the Month” for all our (national and international) members. These titles are then discussed during our upcoming monthly meet. For members in other cities, we usually carry out a number of discussions on the group itself. You are most welcome to join the conversation, and discover new books, meet readers and talk about latest news from the publishing world. 

Once in a month, members available in Karachi get together and vent out on the selection in-question. The meets are usually accompanied with food and a ton of never ending “book talk”. We are more or less cutting each other sentences and that is perhaps the best part of our book club. Each one of us is more than just enthusiastic and just wants to ‘do books’ – which of course is what our motto. The online group is strictly moderated by both of us (Myself and Farman Shams) not to mention membership is only confirmed once you sign up with our online form presented to you when you join. The book club also harbors a WhatsApp presence but the WhatsApp Group is open only to active members. The criterion for entry is attendance of a minimum three (03) monthly meets. There is no such eligibility criterion for club membership itself however participation is highly encouraged for continued association.

Enough of boring policy-talk!

This book club came into existence because Farman and I love reading, we are obsessed with books and there lies the philosophy to the establishment. I never intended to organize a ‘meet-up’ or a gathering of sorts. My partner and I have always been very clear on how we want our club to function.

We all read.
And we all talk about books.

As simple as that! Period. 

We do not engage in any kind of frivolities outside the reading world. This book club is not a business to me. It’s our baby and we nurture it the same. And two (02) years down the line with over a hundred (100) members we are proud to be known as a “real book club”. 

Farman has been instrumental in the operations of the book club from day one and without him one cannot even imagine #KHIBookSwap.

His patience with my unconventional approach and adrenaline-driven ideas deserves all the gratitude in the world. And I’d like to take this moment to thank the daddy of my baby for being so gracious and cool-headed with me during all this time! 

If you like ‘reading’ then I assure you this is the place for you. Share, talk, vent out, and debate – as long as you read – you are welcome to our paradise.

And guess what? This August 16th, my Baby will turn 2! Farman and I are completely ecstatic and we intend to celebrate this glorious moment with all our active members. A grand celebration is under the wraps right now and will be unveiled shortly.

We hope to see you on our next monthly meet and share your passion of the written word!

P.S. My baby is turning 2 and I have the #MommyFeels 24/7! 

An English Orgasm: British Council Library in Karachi

Books & Reading 4 Comments

I am not a Virgin anymore. And it was GOOD!

Well, I actually had my first time today in the morning at 11:10 AM to be exact right in the middle of the city in broad daylight and I cannot even begin to tell you how magical it was.

Today, I visited a Library for the first time in Pakistan and it was like I was taken, feasted upon, consumed and left for wanting more! True to my form, I did books and it was all just too orgasmic for words.

Did you know fifteen years ago, the British Council in Pakistan closed down the ‘British Council Library’? (Thank God they decided otherwise or else I would still be a Virgin). After a long break, the British Council is re-opening its libraries in Karachi and Lahore. The Library in Karachi will be opened for public from Thursday, July 21, 2016. I was amongst those lucky few who got invited by the team for an exclusive pre-opening tour and boy was it good or what.

 

The first thing you need to do if you wish to visit the ‘Karachi Library’ is reach British Council, Shahrah-e-Iran, Clifton, Karachi. After a very thorough security clearance, you will be escorted inside to a place; I would like to refer to from hereon as ‘Nirvana’. The minute you find yourself enveloped my impeccable lighting, uplifting ottomans and eatable shelves you know you are in the right place. I am not going to talk about the architecture of the building well because am not qualified enough but let me tell you one thing, it was all – what’s that word, I am looking for – I am inclined to say ‘debonair’. Yes, it was ‘that’ smart.

Our tour guide for the day was one of the two Library Managers – Rabeea Arif and together with the Library and Information Services Advisor – Gayle Franklin, we were introduced to this awesome piece of machinery by Bibliotheca which is basically a self-service, one-stop solution. And yes there will be no Librarian behind a desk in the Library, you choose your selections, place the card, follow a simple three step, hassle-free process and voila you get to walk home with literary beauties. Not to mention you get receipts too when you return the books which is just so awesome, I mean come on at the end of the year, you’d know exactly how many books you read from the Library. Now if that isn’t cute, I don’t know what is!

 

Next we were taken on the floor (I mean literally – I was soooooo taken on the floor) where the magic happens (not to mention The ‘Grey’ coloured carpet added to the entire euphoria). The “Karachi Library” currently houses 12,000 books spanning over 20 genres whereby new titles will be curated every single month. You know that every single book that has been going around on ‘Book Tube’ or the book you are dying to read thanks to ‘Bookstagram’, all that and more is now accessible thanks to the British Council Library. The stock in both the cities (Karachi and Lahore) is mirrored and you can find the same book in any region in the country. One can check out up to 6 books and 4 DVDs at a time and even request an additional week using the online portal.

The library is equipped with over 40 iPads and over 15 desktop stations that provide unlimited access to the British Council Digital Library comprising of thousands of e-books, audiobooks, e-magazines and newspapers. One can also access over 15000 academic research journals including JSTOR. And let’s not forget a collection of films and theatre performances available just a click away.

The library at the moment comes with two study halls lovingly named after the two greats: Syed Sadequain Ahmed Naqvi and Road Dahl – I love how they acknowledged both ends of the ocean.

 

The children’s section is too adorable – I was totally tempted to lie down and cuddle with a childhood favourite – Matilda. But please note children under the age of 11 are not permitted inside the library without adult supervision.

 

The library is also equipped with an auditorium that can easily accommodate a hundred people which I am certain will be hosting many future literary events.

 

One awesome feature of the library, almost all the book shelves are on wheels, If I ever decide to plan a library heist, it will be so easy to boost the shelves up the truck! (V, I am talking to you here). Did I mention there was a copy of ‘The Bookshop Book’ by Jen Campbell which I was tempted to snag (The minute the British Council reads this – they are so putting me on their blacklist =P).

Feel like taking a break from your paperback? Air hockey, Fussball, Scrabble, Chess and more all available on this neat Digital Table with a especially designed OS just for British Council:

 

Next to the main floor is a beautiful courtyard which is perfect for performances, gatherings and even movie screenings. I can totally envision an enactment of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ under a starry, September sky. And yes I insist on penning the screenplay and playing ‘Helena’. Across the courtyard is an exclusive branch of N’eco’s Natural Store & Café with an ideal menu to soothe your tummy whilst you soothe your senses with all the scrumptious book-talk.

The management currently offers 3 different membership packages:

– Individual Membership for PKR 6000.00
– Family Membership for PKR 15000.00
– Digital Membership for PKR 3500.00

Upon my query in regard to inviting a guest over – the management hopes to establish a nominal fee for non-members for a one-time visit but noting of this sort is currently operational. Memberships will be open from August 2016 and I have already filled my form for the same.

Throughout the tour the second team of officials Aziz B. – Library Manager and Humera Fatima – Library and Information Services Advisor were extremely helpful. Humyra and I shared a heartfelt conversation regarding Jojo Moyes too (you know what I am talking about) and she has convinced me to give the author a second try with one specific title.

The sight of those books have left me a little ‘useless’ today and thus I am unable to put across my love for this establishment. I am so happy that even if it is on the other side of the bridge, an actual library in my city is now fully functional. A decade after I moved back to my country, I am now able to procure books at an affordable bend and not worry about a pocket dent. And I cannot wait to host my book club – KHI Book Swap’s next monthly meet at this wonderfully enriching abode!

 

Besides they chose to put one of my favourite quotes from Harry Potter up on the wall. And you dare ask me to feel realistically about the place??!!

If my blabber wasn’t enough – you can also contact the team at [email protected] for more.

P.S – The new library website will be launched by the end of this week and I will update my post accordingly. I suggest – Watch this space!

 

“I am a Rebel Reader”

Books & Reading

I live in a free country.

Most of us do.

And that is something that should never be taken for granted. However at times we come across certain occurrences that leave you to question freedom itself.

I am not here to talk to about issues like freedom of speech or the freedom to choose your government but something even more grave and that my folks is the ‘Freedom to Read’. I mean if I cannot read what I want then what the hell am I to do in life?

The national book community in the United States of America decided to recognize ‘challenged books’ and created the initiative to support the ‘Freedom to Read’ under the name of ‘Banned Books Week’.

Banned Books Week is a nationwide promotion by the American Library Association (ALA) in collaboration with many other sponsors like AAP, ABFE, NCTE who have tried to draw attention to such censorship, and condemn it. I have always taken part of this movement whilst sitting in Pakistan and read banned books during the term designated each year. This year I involved my book club, #KHIBookSwap to join in and celebrate the banned books week.

Now let’s get personal people, I for one have had a very strong relationship with banned books. And yes, I consider myself, a rebel reader.

You see Mousier, Le fruit défendu est le doux!
And by that I mean: The forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest my friend!

Some of my all-time favorite books have been banned since their publication including Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, Animal Farm, The Scarlet Letter and the Fifty Shades of Grey.

Yeah, I read about SEX and liked it, get over it! (I am going to write a whole another post as to why girls pretend to hate FSOG and exactly why these are the girls who doll up for the theatre.! Ohhh Yes I will!!!)

Well getting back to our topic of discussion today. Banned Books!

Some of us would definitely like to see FSOG banned for good but why on earth would someone ban Harry Potter? Am I right? Well today, I am here to explain to you the grounds on which some of our beloved titles were banned upon their release. I am going to make this easy by enlisting the latest list of challenged books that the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) created based on reports from libraries, schools, and the media on attempts to ban books in communities across the country. (And yes the following list is authentic!)

It’s not always sex or obscene language that leads to a ban, many times, traditions, customs and even something as valuable as viewpoints that cause such an uproar.

The top ten most frequently challenged books of 2014 include:

1) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: anti-family, cultural insensitivity, drugs/alcohol/smoking, gambling, offensive language, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group, violence. Additional reasons: “depictions of bullying”.

2) Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Reasons: gambling, offensive language, political viewpoint. Additional reasons: “politically, racially, and socially offensive,” “graphic depictions”.

3) And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Reasons: Anti-family, homosexuality, political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, unsuited for age group. Additional reasons: “promotes the homosexual agenda”.

4) The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Reasons: Sexually explicit, unsuited for age group. Additional reasons: “contains controversial issues”.

5) It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
Reasons: Nudity, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group. Additional reasons: “alleges it child pornography”.

6) Saga by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples
Reasons: Anti-Family, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited for age group. Additional reasons: unsolicited.

7) The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Reasons: Offensive language, unsuited to age group, violence.

8) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: drugs/alcohol/smoking, homosexuality, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group. Additional reasons: “date rape and masturbation”.

9) A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard
Reasons: drugs/alcohol/smoking, offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited for age group.

10) Drama by Raina Telgemeier
Reasons: sexually explicit.

Well, I guess SEX and NUDITY make most of the list, ehhh?
Ban the books will you?
Why not ban the multi-billion dollar porn industry first???

Jealousy I tell you. Jealousy.
They know.
Readers rule the world.

So to show them that we will not be played to their ruse, let’s pick up a banned book this week, and read all the dirty scenes over and over and over and overrrrrr! 😉 *seductive voice*

Nida Paracha: The Original Modiste

People & More

Throughout our lives, every single day, we drape ourselves with clothes. Our clothes represent our personality, our mood and even our ambitions. But have we ever stopped to think of the people who invest their lifetime in creating that favorite black dress of yours? One woman against all odds has broken norms in Pakistan and has held together her unit of ancestral craftsmen for the love of cloth and design.

Married and a mother of three, Nida Paracha inherited her love for the cloth and design from her mother. It was all meant to be – to design, and style and no one could steer her away from her destiny; not even her own decision to pursue a completely different form of art.

A painter and poet at heart, Nida fondly remembers her mother engrossed in dress design right in the middle of her lounge on a dining table. And I had the pleasure to catch some of her heart-warming stories in the flash just before her latest Eid Collection unveiled this Saturday.

In an industry where everyone is caught in a never-ending race to creating a brand name, Nida Paracha has dedicated her time towards extending her legacy. Her vision for her work knows no boundaries coupled with her down-to-earth and unpretentious nature translates clearly into her masterpieces.

On Saturday, September 19, 2015 I was amongst the many who witnessed her latest Eid Collection during an exhibition at Prince Jewelers & Diamond Arena in Karachi. And let me tell you something straight away, I could not believe that designers clothes were even possible in such affordable price brackets. I was baffled at the quality of cloth, design and stitching showcased at such prices. I’d like to thank Nida for making designer clothes affordable for middle, working-class women like yours truly.

Another thing that struck me is that her collection had definitive divisions, meaning there was certainly a huge variety for your festive palate but I could even see pieces that were apt for a luncheon with your girls, pieces that were totally appropriate for work and even ones that could be worn to your brother’s engagement. Such an eclectic taste could only come from someone who does it for the love of it all!
And Nida, I must say, your hand painted, chiffon Kaftans and Drapes were to die for!

Following is the transcript for the interview with Nida Paracha:

Ifrah Waqar – Where does your artistic influence come from and when did you start making clothing?

Nida Paracha – It all began in my early years, watching my mother taking frequent trips to all corners of India and Bangladesh. Upon her return our friends and relatives would pour in, and be in complete awe of the luxurious and exotic fabrics she had curated. She would involve me along the way and ask me to learn karayi or work with sitara. She always advised me to work in fashion where as I, at first wasn’t interested at all but today, I am here and I cannot possibly imagine doing anything else.

Ifrah Waqar – Everyone has to start somewhere. What was your first job?

Nida Paracha – My first job or assignment whatever you’d like to call it happened to track me down in Bangkok, I was traveling with my husband when I met a lady who inquired my help in Pakistan with her design project. When she saw me in my own designs, she asked me if I could prepare an entire exhibition for her. I was new to this world and explained the same but she insisted that I do this, and I am glad that I did that was my first professional job and it paved my path.

Ifrah Waqar – What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your company?

Nida Paracha – Unfortunately it is not a good one. With everything going digital, we have forgotten our roots. This country is filled with unbelievable talent and skilled craftsmen but we no longer remember that. I must credit designers like Nida Azwer and Sania Maskatiya who have taken the liberty to go back to our arts like block printing and reserved what is left of our heritage, I want to follow the ideals set by Bunto Appa & Sughran Khala (Kazmi). I strive to make certain all these techniques including Tie-dye, and hand painting and many others come together in my collection.

Ifrah Waqar – How difficult it is to survive in this industry with so much of competition?

Nida Paracha – I am not part of the direct industry per say – if you noticed. I am just following my roots. Take my label’s name for instance Parachabafi which literally means, ‘millers of cloth’ and my ancestors who have been involved in this craft for age. I am not in it for the money; I am just doing what’s in my blood. I do not intend to market my brand name only; my intention is to create clothes that make me people come alive.

Ifrah Waqar – How do you describe your fashion brand and style?

Nida Paracha – I would have to say versatile. I like to create a piece that allows you to dress it up or dress it down. A piece that is affordable and yet paired with your statement piece can be worn to even a Valima Ceremony.

Ifrah Waqar – How do you see the Digital/Social Media affecting fashion in Pakistan?

Nida Paracha – It has certainly added a new dimension to this field of work. Building a clientèle and engaging your community has become easy. People can reach out to you from far and wide and yet you connect to them on a personal level.

Ifrah Waqar – What advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers?

Nida Paracha – Give yourself time in this field. Earn a degree and accept the learning curve with open arms. A degree is very important in such a field especially. I do not possess a degree and I know the struggles that crossed my path because of it. Before you decide to start your own brand name, give yourself the time to stumble along the way. You need to know that this industry expects your heart and soul, invest your time, gain experience and then take it to the next level.

Ifrah Waqar – Who would you love to style?

Nida Paracha – My mother. She has been my inspiration through and through. I wish she was here and I could make something exclusively for her. (Smiles in wonderment) Her persona and her style has truly been the cornerstone of each and every collection I have ever designed.

Ifrah Waqar – Thank you so much for your time and thank you for making me a part of your delightful journey.

Nida Paracha – It was my pleasure Ifrah, it was lovely speaking to you. Thank you.

If you are looking for a piece that truly defines you then reach Nida Paracha at: Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

My February City

Inklings - Poetry & Prose

An illusion is all it takes for my city to fall in love…
A misty morning can blind our senses…
And send us in an unnecessary oblivion.
How the first morning of February…
Presented itself with treasures of a new beginning…
How the month of love gave us new hope…
How the chilly air curled our toes…
And how it promised a breezy day to the residents of a tormented city.
I too fell prey to this phantasm and found myself lured into its inviting whispers…
Soon I felt taken by its hands into a place beyond dark desires…
And lost connection to real life.
They say nothing lasts forever…
And as much as we wanted to exist in this fairytale…
Our happily ever after was not meant to be.
Alas! We were left with a bright, blazing ball of fire up above us…
And had been buzzed back to the truth that is this city.
A city where human life is not accountable..
A city where surviving each day is a game of luck…
A city in need of a saviour…
A city where a few drops of heaven become an excuse to tweet…
A city I call home…
A city I call, my home.