Manish Malholtra; Cool & Creative

It was last Kara Film Festival, Manish came along with Indian directors “Mahesh Bhatt” , Urmila & gorgeous Shilpa for private fashion show. In the evening I randomly met him in my favorite place ‘Jacuzzi’ in a local hotel, it was an awesome fashion talk, I did not know much about his creation but once he shared his fashion thoughts it was awesome.

Guy has moved so far that he is the ultimate dress designer for Bollywood, I loved to see his handkerchief design, and I saw Farah Khan wearing that. Even Kareena looks gorgeous in Manish’s black creation.

Wish he goes on the top.

High Heel Race At LUMS……Wow

It is really awesome to see different athletic practiced at LUMS. Hi heel race is an amazing idea to let girls show their athletic stamina along with balancing skills.

I was glad to know that event was sponsored by an international shoe company and grand prize was Rs 10,000.

Laughter was seen when students saw their fellow students struggling to keep balance during the race.

Cool and healthy idea…..something different. I missed it, i wish i were there :-(

Someone I know did not participate in the race because she thinks she is too old to participate. I was amazed to see hardcore Bollywood following at LUMS….ufff my God, she simply adores Salman, I am sure if Salman Khan were at LUMS she would have participated in the race: P

We Are Liberal????? Yet Conservative …..

Our society is very traditional, dominated by conservative ethos. At the same time western media influences our thoughts with liberal outlook towards relationship, social norms and to an extent culture or western dresses. Love to wear jeans and t shirt and feel liberal, without changing the thoughts because of conservative social and family influences.

At the same time, our state induces and experiments with various religious-social gamble to secure their rule. Every military ruler comes up with a religious or some kind of social baggage to confuse the nation.

Thanks to our education system, elite education system is creating pseudo Englishmen, knowing little about their own heritage, culture etc and no blame to government schools and Madressas …..They are meant to produce conservative and confused masses.

Going back to liberal yet conservative, I have noticed that people just do not get into the depth and pass judgments about people. These days especially women folks are exchanging a picture on email that shows Sherry Rehman whispering something in the ears of Mr. Zardari in a press conference in Islamabad. To many women folks, Sherry is getting too intimate with Zardari, hard for them to digest…………come on, it is absurd, on the one hand there is a big cry that women do not get their rights in male dominated society, if somebody is bold enough to climb the ladder in tough political milieu……it is a big achievement, why this mud slinging.

Some women believe that Sherry married three to four times, without knowing the background they think “Chehray Say Challooo Lagti Hay” they just forget that Islamic history is full of so many multiple women marriages. Shadi Karo Bhi Masla Hay, Nahein Karo tou People Blame She is Chaloo!!!!! She got married 3 or 4 times, what is wrong with it???? I just fail to understand, women also try to find fault line in other women’s personal affairs, why can’t they grapple successful women, they also think women bosses are BITCHES!!!!!

If a girl or women smokes cigarette we as a society brand her CHALLOOO. Yet we ignore prostitutes finding shelter in Burqa. At LUMS women smoking is acceptable norm, yet few raise their eyebrows.

We just forget, Sherry as a women political leader has shown courage…I still remember she was the Editor prestigious HERALD published by DAWN, her stand towards the terrorism in Karachi, her commitment to media reforms etc…women should be proud of her. I also know Sherry’s sister, Humaira Rehman, one of the leading professors at prestigious Stanford, contributing towards socio-political rights. One should respect other because of the contribution rather than just getting into personal affairs of so called MORAL CONDUCTS.

Why do we become moral police for society??????? Why?

If women is un-married, we just simply outcast her, its women folk who show their enmity. Enough of crying for male chauvinism please get rid of “liberal /conservative confusion” and have a life.

For God sake please stop this, no need to get into cosmetic liberalism….just live and let others live.

Disclaimer (If any of my friends reads it, just to inform, pseudo liberalism is generally observed, few examples have been quoted, no offense please.)

Hafiz Poetry is Simply Ecstatic

Hafiz is an ecstatic poet, i have never seen so sweet poetry...just wanted to share.... Persian version simply mesmerizes me;

صـلاح کار کـجا و مـن خراب کـجا
بـبین تـفاوت ره کز کجاست تا به کجا
دلـم ز صومعه بگرفت و خرقـه سالوس
کـجاسـت دیر مغان و شراب ناب کجا
چـه نسبت است به رندی صلاح و تقوا را
سـماع وعـظ کـجا نغمـه رباب کجا
ز روی دوست دل دشمـنان چـه دریابد
چراغ مرده کـجا شمـع آفـتاب کـجا
چو کحل بینش ما خاک آستان شماست
کـجا رویم بـفرما از این جـناب کـجا
مبین به سیب زنخدان که چاه در راه است ک
ـجا همی‌روی ای دل بدین شتاب کجا
بـشد کـه یاد خوشش باد روزگار وصال
خود آن کرشمه کجا رفت و آن عتاب کجا
قرار و خواب ز حافظ طمع مدار ای دوست
قرار چیسـت صبوری کدام و خواب کـجا


Where is sensible action, & my insanity whence?
See the difference, it is from where to whence.
From the church & hypocritical vestments, I take offence
Where is the abode of the Magi, & sweet wine whence?
For dervishes, piety and sensibility make no sense
Where is sermon and hymn, & the violin's music whence.
Upon seeing our friend, our foes put up their defense
Where is a dead lantern, & the candle of the sun whence?
My eye-liner is the dust of your door and fence
Where shall I go, tell me, you command me whence?
Take your focus from your chin to the trap on the path hence,
Where to O heart, in such hurry you go whence?
May his memory of union be happy and intense
Where are your amorous gestures, & your reproach whence?
Make not restlessness & insomnia, Hafiz's sentence
What is rest, which is patience, and sleep whence?

Inspiratorium Says Take Daily Motivational Shower!! Hey, What’s Wrong With Pakistanis????

Last evening I got an opportunity to attend an inspirational talk at T2F, it suggested that Pakistanis need inspiration from within to make a difference and vision is sold with the brand name of ‘INSPIRATORIUM’, a talk ‘developed by a local organization development firm’.

Theme of initial preview talk was that Pakistani nation has a bigggggg problem and need to be fixed, it is not the education but change in mindset and value system can bring the revolutionary changes. Inspiratorium is an effort to inculcate new value system in the social body of Pakistani society……a passionate dream to make a difference.

Speaker also referred Japanese success story, a nation, with no resources have become economic superpower, because of their mindset. It reminded me of my recent visit to Japan, to me present day Japan is made possible because of the enlightened rule “Meiji Restoration” that ended 265 year old feudalistic Tokugawa shogunate. Pakistan has to get rid of status quo to see drastic change; it would come through political consciousness.

Inspirational talk in west is a high selling product, satisfying the need of fast paced distressed workers, exhausted by the rat race and pressure form the capitalist system.

Because of violence, distress, despair and pessimism, an effort is being made to sale the inspirational talk to hungry, shelter less, starved Pakistani hmmm or may be to sale it to fat and rich corporate sector clients. There is nothing wrong in selling any product to anyone if there is any demand. However, commercialization need to be separated from social change dream, may be it is western replica product ‘wearing social attire’ developed for corporate sector.

Anyways, during the motivational talk, I could not stop thinking about the questions such as what is really wrong with Pakistani nation. Why as a nation we are confused? And what is Pakistani identity. Thought process also reminded me of my favorite book ‘The Indus Saga’ and its first chapter ‘The Pakistani Identity’.

It also made me think that value system is developed over the period and it’s hard to change in short span of time. To me daily behavior sets the foundation for norm, leading to the creation of values that moves all the way to generations and become the part of overall culture.

It made me think that instead of daily inspirational shower, the nation needs good governance, change in system, to break the status quo, rather than being inspirational at individual level. It’s the collective political and social consciousness that brings change and it requires continuation of democracy and political process, media freedom. This may involve people in sociopolitical affairs rather than being inspirational materialist, locked in rat race and blind to social surroundings, just like a hungry consumer, churning for more I see more I need.

At times, I get to hear stupid judgments from my so called ‘pseudo intellectual’ educated friends, at times in discussion they even do not know the cultural background of Balochistan or even the geography or without knowing the basics of Balochistan, yet they pass political judgment. At times they raise slogans that may make them look cool, such as, wearing Che Guevara T Shirt, without knowing Che’s ideals.

Another Quality Movie; R A M C H A N D P A K I S T A N I

Last month peace niche screened the Ramchand Pakistani intro along with the short film ‘The Beauty Parlor’ followed by Q&A with Mahreen Jabbar at T2F.

I liked the Ramchand Pakistani plot based on true story, of course Nandati Das is the main cast, and how could I miss the movie. It has been released in US; hope to see it in Pakistani cinema soon.

‘Ramchand Pakistani’ is derived from a true story concerning the accidental crossing of the Pakistan-Indian border during a period (June 2002) of extreme, war-like tension between the two countries by two members of a Pakistani Hindu family belonging to the 'untouchable' (Dalit) caste, and the extraordinary consequences of this unintended action upon the lives of a woman, a man, and their son.

The film portrays the lives of a family that is at the bottom of a discriminatory religious ladder and an insensitive social system, which is nevertheless tolerant, inclusive and pluralist. The irony is compounded by the fact that such a family becomes hostage to the acrimonious.

We just ignore that two Macho State dominated by Chauvinistic ego backed by power politics extremely affects the lives of ordinary people living on borders…….i think Mahreen has made a good effort.

Nadita’s performance seems to be strong and moving…..

Physical World is Boring ???

These days Internet and cyber space is taking most of the time of our available 24 hours.

People are hooked, be it study, socializing to entertainment. It is the cyberspace that moves things fast, easy and accessible.

I Phone, with its wonderful communication to entertainment related features is the talk of the town, let us see what comes next.

Technological things are changing at mind boggling speed, it makes us confused when to buy what!

For techno guide i can always refer to my LUMS friend Mohsin, he sits in front of worth USD 1.5 million IT equipment, wears Armani shirt, Boss jeans and Windsor Smith shoes......always lost in cyber space......with his Australian accent :P

Nandita Das; To me, is Thinking Men’s Heroin

Last evening I saw Nandita on Dawn TV Talk Back, I remember she came to Kara Film Festival and she is the one who produced bold movie FIRE. I am sad to hear from people that she brings forward Sex and Violence in her movies. To me she is touching the untouched reality and there is no harm in exploring the sexuality rather than portraying sex and lust and both are different.

I do not understand why people hide things and honestly to me our society as a whole has DOUBLE STANDARD, give me a break, don’t we have homosexuality in our society, doesn’t it exit???? Why not to talk about and touch the hidden reality.

To me Hindi movies take one in the world of fantasy and have no connection with reality .Only hope is Nandita Das who comes up with thought provoking movies that has strong connection with reality.

Hope to see more thoughtful and captivating Nandita masterpieces. I love her boldness and she has very very strong self belief that makes her my Heroin.

Vulgar Consumerism & Women Abuse is Disgusting!

We have heard a lot about vulgarity but these days vulgarity of consumerism haunts me. It is enough; people are running after satisfying material hunger, relationships are based on material fabric.

Consumerism has involved people into ‘more I see more I need rat race’, this means a blind eye to political and social problems and also people are apathetic to unethical things. Be it exploitation of women, environmental abuse and social fascism.

I was surprised to see an advertisement on an Indian TV, it was about a men deodorant ‘Wild Stone’…guy walks in, bump into female, coz of fragrance, woman feels as if she is being laid and screwed by the guy then she realizes its fantasy. Guy walks out and there comes the deodorant.

Come on, give us a break, this is no way of selling male products; it is simply the abuse of the sanctity of womanhood.

Courageous Mira & Interesting Interaction in Karachi

Mira Nair, is one of the lady ‘Harvard Graduate’ I always admired, simply because of her bold and courageous thoughts.

My first interaction with her was during her last visit to Pakistan in 2007 at a local hotel and she mesmerized me a lot, awesome thought and bold lady with a charismatic dominating personality.
Her initial documentaries showed her eclectic thoughtful influences, first movie I came across was Mississippi Masala about an Indian family in US.

I like the way Mira, in her movies depicts sex and humor in thought provoking context.
Of course, my favorite movie Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love, a provocative movie set in 12th century India also directed by Mira, so is Monsoon Wedding.

I was glad to interact with her hubby Mahmood Mamdani ‘an African guy teaching at Columbia University’ and their teenage son…..last night her appearance in Coffee with Karan reminded me of my past interaction with her, wish I could meet her again.

A woman is Women’s Worst Enemy or Friend???

It is general belief that a woman is the most afraid of women….. Be it female friend or foe or even in some cases, to women…….. a woman boss is a top biatch (bitch).

I am inspired by many women but Zainab Salbi has enthralled me with her journey. She had a fallen apart arranged marriage, to find a cause; she started helping women whose lives are torn apart by war.

War is the male, egoist or chauvinist tool that always affect women and children the most and no body ever thinks about the plight of innocent and broken war torn humans.

If one looks at displaced people, there are over 35 million people and most of them are women and children. What Zainab is doing, to me she is one women trying to bring a change or make a difference.

Zainab runs a Washington based organization; she works to help women recover from the ravage of war and become active citizen by offering direct aid, job training, micro credit, rights awareness and leadership education.

At least there is someone out there giving women a voice.

Wish if we have more people like Zainab.

Final Twist Brings Man United Glory Again

It was a close and tough fight which ended 1-1 draw.....match was decided on penalty shoot outs, resulted in Man U 6 and Chelsea 5. John Terry missed the penalty, which made John tears to burst for the first time...........it made me emotional too...anyways, it is soccer it happens. But good part is that it was a tough and equal ending.

Manchester United are once more engulfed in the delirious joy of Champions League melodrama. They were on the verge of defeat in the shoot-out as the Chelsea captain John Terry came up to take the penalty that would have brought the Champions League trophy to Stamford Bridge. His standing foot slipped as he struck the ball and the effort flew wide. A failure by Cristiano Ronaldo had been cancelled out.

Basant in Nagasaki, Japan Hmm but No Mujra

We guys are just aware of Basant celebration in Lahore. Last evening I was surprised to watch a report on NHK TV Japan on “Basant” Spring Kite Flying Festival in Nagasaki, Japan. Can you guess where I watched, on the flat TV on my running machine “Treadmill” at Sheraton Health & Leisure Club.

TV was showing that every spring season Nagasaki welcomes the season with Kite flying on the beach, it is a historical practice. I was surprised to see a Kite enthusiast 70 years old Mr. Nakamura San, he is passionate about kites and he decorated his house with handmade Kites.

Even I came to know that glass coated sharp MANJA is also used in Japan, however, in Pakistan we end up cutting various necks with MANJA and also cause damage to electricity lines as well as people falling down from buildings, followed by scores of deaths.

On Basant Night, in Lahore, on the one hand all those big fat rich guys jump on the top floors of hotels and bungalows and on the other hand Big Busty Women performing MUJRA on the beat of Dhool. Drinks served and followed by happy ending during the mid night.

Wow what an amazing way of welcoming the spring in Lahore.

Unlike Lahore, Japanese Kite flying and spring welcome is more of a family event on the beach side, in an organized and disciplined way which does not require women to dance for ugly...rich …..fat……. hungry…… desperate…… DOGS “men”.