Rise of the Indie Film Maker in Pakistan

Author : Hasan Ahmed Ansari

Recent history says the Pakistan Film Industry should operate by the Chinese calendar: 2007 was the Year of Khuda Kay Liye, 2008 the Year of Ramchand Pakistani, 2010 the Year of Virsa and 2011 the Year of Bol. In that line 2012 can only be known as the Year of the Academy Award (for Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy).

Ultimately the past few years have been a dirty triumph for the paranoid. You don’t need to conduct a research to establish the harsh reality that the Pakistani Film Industry or more popularly referred to as “Lollywood” has not just declined but seems to have fallen into an abyss.

The signs had become evident during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s but the Industry who had been resting on the laurels of the filmmakers from the “Golden Era of Lollywood” decided to overlook the cist and allowed it to develop into a tumor which sucked all of the life out of the Industry.

The years between 1979 leading up to 21st Century or the “Period of Crisis” – as referred to by the avid Pakistani movie-goers – was identified for becoming loud and localized, wanting in artistic or aesthetic merits.

Harsh struggle for Hindu minority in Pakistan

Author : Anonymous

Talking about minority; Hindus come first to our minds because of their larger number in all of the minorities in existence in Pakistan. Patriotic Hindus who preferred to live in Pakistan during partition instead of migrating to India are now in great threat to practice their beliefs in our ‘land of pure’ and so does minorities belonging to different beliefs.

Feudalism, class system, religious discrimination, forced conversion and marriages and poor law and order situation of Pakistan has taken their right to breathe. Around 7,000 to 10,000 Pakistani Hindus (around 1,600 families) had migrated to India in the last two years; a report by English daily reveals this. And only in last four months, around 450 families comprising of more than 3,000 members have migrated to India following conversion cases of one after another Hindu girl in Sindh, report further states.

Statistics tells us that around 3.2 million Hindus are living in Sindh, seven million are settled in Punjab, Around 30,000 to 50,000 are living in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other northern areas of the country. A large majority of Hindu population belongs to the working class, has poor agricultural background and is not financially stable.

It’s in the Jeans

Author : Irfan Moeen Khan

During the mid 19th century, the sheer necessity to provide comfort and durability in a pair of pants for gold miners during the California Gold rush has today become a fashion definition.
A trader from New York moved to California for better prospects, partnered with a local tailor and started manufacturing “Waist Overalls” to provide for the immediate need of the gold miners.
Rivets of saddles were used on pockets for reinforcement and the material used was duck fabric usually used in making ship sails. Since the manufacturing process was unique they got it patented and the pants became very popular not only among gold miners but also among farmers and others.
During the same period France developed a fabric called “serge de Nimes” as it was made in the French city of Nimes and soon the name was shortened to Denim. This was a traditionally durable twill woven fabric dyed in indigo blue colour. During the same period exports of indigo (commonly known as neel in the Indian sub continent) dye stuff from Sindh via the port of Bhambore and then all the way through the port of Alexandria to the modern Europe substantially increased. (Plants and Drugs of Sindh by James A. Murray 1881, courtesy Sindh Archives Complex, Karachi).

The legacy...

Author : Aasi

The perspectives are the ones which make the human life involve in life. Somehow, the approval is appreciation. ”there is gratitude where there is cognizance.” Man is hunger for more audience who applauds, cheer and admire him. This hunger has led many individuals towards good but consequences are as calamitous as it shouldn't be...

The fuel of power and rule is the combustion of the system. Once someone great has said, “the game of power is the game of death. You killed many then you have to rule many.” Power isn't the only pursuance of man over the centuries, he demands much more than this. Ferocious man can easily find a way or two for their own sake. There is one funnier thing which was being pursuit and which is being in the bucket list in almost everyone’s list i.e. “fame”.

Taman Negara — Off the beaten track

Author : Irfan Moeen Khan 

The Kuala Tembeling jetty — Writer's pictures

 For many of us, Malaysia’s major attractions generally include Langkawi, Genting, Penang, Malaka and Kuala Lumpur. These are the places where you see lots of South Asians and Arabs — mostly interested in shopping and eating.

My family was no different, until I gave them the option of visiting the Taman Negara rainforest; Malaysia’s largest national park, spread over 4,343 square kilometres and including three Malaysian states; the Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan. It is the world’s oldest and most well-protected rainforest. It is believed that it is even older than the Amazon and is estimated to be over 130 million years old.

Some-what political !

Author : Aasi

Elections have gone by, we’ve results, we’ve conspiracies, we’ve disputes, we’ve rumors, we’ve agreements, we’ve alliances, we’ve rivals, we’ve facts and we’ve “Dharnas” lots of “Dharnas”   but the most important thing of all is that we’ve our representatives and by definition they are our rulers …

The hustle and noise of whole election and election campaign had blemishes but one can’t neglect the positives, we’ve earned. For the first time, ever in the history of Pakistan we’ve two consecutive elections. The voting turnout is maximum. People really were so keen about elections. All the political leadership showed the brighter side of the Pakistan. The socio-political ratio got higher and higher and the positives go on and on …

“The part of participation brings the sense of responsibility”. It’s pretty obvious that majority is authority so by putting minority in the power, good options can get neglect although it shouldn’t be an option even it is no more in practice in most parts of the world.

By giving the power of judging to every Tom, Dick and Harry, May not be able to solve the conundrum or may not be able to draw off quandary but it will make sure that all sceneries lead to the better conclusions and better solutions. It will take time but “time” what is required in every race of substitution and especially when “change” is the need.

My friend and American educationalist, Tris Legacy once said, “Drawing conclusion erases doubts”. So need in the regard to look into the matter so thoroughly and vigorously. Everyone try to fulfill his/her or it duties first then set their selves for something big. This is so basic and shallow demand of the life. The higher the power, the more the responsibilities.

“Do not seek for information of which you cannot make use.” What a great saying by Anna Brackett. Verbosity and circumlocution are of no use no matter how and where the flowing is. So one has to be precise and concise. Person always hear and see what he/she wants to see or hear, it is good because no one need to change their trending but to change the priority of wants.

I firmly believe that to reach the perfection you’ve to bear some imperfection. Better world can’t be made over night, so I, by myself from now, urge and try to contribute and try to fulfill my duties and then look myself where I am standing …

Tick the right one then you don't have to deal with wrong-un !

Ticking minimize the risk of picking !!

Titanics of the air

Author : Irfan Moeen Khan

In the age of airships, Karachi was a crucial link in a chain that was meant to keep the British Empire united. PHOTO: AIRSHIP HERITAGE TRUST COLLECTION

A relic of a bygone era, the airship or the dirigible was a machine that, once upon a time, personified the adventurous European spirit. One can clearly picture these huge crafts, piloted by men wearing scarves and goggles who would go face the wild blue yonder with a giant bag of (generally explosive) gas and some propellers.

The dirigible’s role in the two world wars was quite minimal, especially once incendiary bullets were developed and used against them. While the airship was a terrifying sight to behold, it was quite an inept weapon and was soon relegated to scouting and commercial duties.
In its German version, the dirigible known as the Zeppelin was used as a means of passenger travel for over 30 years.

Walls of Karachi: Creative, eh?

 Author : Umer Bin Ajmal

Karachi – a heaven for everyone: Be it criminals, politicians, welfare workers, innocent citizens or even an unemployed smoking a joint at some ‘chowk’. The beauty of this city may not be like that of New York or Paris but there is something way different and creative about Karachi – the art of graffiti Karachiites possess.
It was back some 14 years, when I was in grade two, these political slogans written in a revolutionary way used to mesmerize me always. And still, it is quite a fun to read them while travelling to college. At least, it keeps me up-to-date with all that is happening around our socio-political circle. This city has all what it takes to be of such interest that even with so much lawlessness, I never fail to love it.
Don’t misunderstand me by waiting for some outstanding creativity to be reflected through Karachi’s walls. But the genre we have is nowhere to be seen in the world: An art to socially, politically and commercially mobilize the use of graffiti.
Marketing can come handy but at an expensive cost. How about trying the most cost-effective way to promote, condemn, lament or even teach a city having population of 21.2 million with an impact so powerful that will be above anyone’s imagination?

The picture read, “Karachi is ours, not yours.” Oh, don’t fear that. I assure you, Karachi welcomes all.