A book of necessary doubts: My review of Wajahat Malik’s first collection of poems
From Mountain Climber to Intrepid Poet Wajahat Malik who is known primarily as an adventure buff and mountaineer has compiled a collection of poetry that is not only endearing but also gives personal insight on being humane. One wouldn’t have thought that an avid adventurer…
An invigorating read: My review of Mira Sethi’s short stories for TNS
I whizzed through Mira Sethi’s short stories at great speed and really enjoyed them! These racy stories are engaging and you’ll want to read them at one sitting. Well, at least I did! Also, the cover is an absolute winner with Lahore-based artist Minaa Mohsin’s…
Healing with verse: My review of The Burning Champa by Zahra Hameed
I recently reviewed a touching anthology of poems for The News on Sunday titled The Burning Champa published by a small, independent, Pakistani publishing house called Zuka Books. Written by Lahore-based writer Zahra Hameed who goes by the nom de plume DewaneZahra, you’ll find her work…
Beygumbano: She creates vibrant imagery that lampoons society
Born and bred in Lahore, Eemaan Bano Rehman is a visual artist and a graduate of the Beaconhouse National University (BNU). Eemaan Bano can be found on Instagram @beygumbano. I’ve always found her work fascinating and we sat down to discuss her unconventional imagery and…
We might have seen it coming: Kusum Lata Sawhney’s poems are a highly charged, thoughtful pandemic diary that capture present times
London/Delhi-based Kusum Lata Sawhney’s poems are an emphatic description of our altered world after the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. A continuous preface of a single phrase heads each poem: ‘We might have …’. With that Sawhney takes us in several directions, from the personal…
Celebrate books at the free access all-virtual Lahore Literary Festival #LLF2021 (Feb 18-21)
Beginning Thursday 18th February, the 9th edition off the Lahore Literary Festival will be presented online for four days and will showcase an extremely impressive lineup, including first time Pakistani authors and a litany of international names that will warm the depths of every book…
For Lahore’s lionhearted: LBF makes contemporary art public using billboards, curbside and across buildings
Several artists in a group show of 16, curated by the Lahore Biennale Foundation (LBF), zero in on the human condition in the post-pandemic world using billboards. Zinda-dil-a’an-e-Lahore —an exclusive Billboard Project conceived by the Lahore Biennale Foundation (LBF), curated by its Executive Director Qudsia…
Creating abstract forms with colour: How Sana Dar sustained her art practice in 2020
A tête-à-tête with Islamabad-based artist Sana Dar. Tell us a little about your art process and how you create this dynamic interplay of colours and patterns? My process is spontaneous and intuitive, balanced with a deep understanding of how tone and form flow in harmony…
Sara Riaz Khan: This Muscat-based artist imbibes of nature’s vibrant beauty which impacts her response to the pandemic
Originally from Lahore and now living in Muscat (via London), Sara Khan and I discussed her latest work and how the Covid-19 pandemic affects her art practice. Substrate III (will be available online from Khamsa Art). Oil and gesso on paper How has the pandemic…
Kuki: Deeply insightful, he is an artist and an editor’s dream photographer
Besides editorial portraits and behind-the-scenes film photography, Mujtaba Ali, better known as Kuki has also created self-realised projects and merged the lines between art and photography. Re-connecting with Kuki each time is always a pleasure for he always has something new to share. Over the…
