Latest news with #16thKarachiLiteratureFestival
Express Tribune
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Not all men, but always a man
Zarrar Khan's In Flames delivers a gripping narrative of what it's like to be a woman in Karachi, through its sound design, characters, and spatial scenery, offering a true soundscape of terror. The first day of the 16th Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) on Friday 7th February, concluded appropriately around 10:15 pm with the screening of Zarrar Khan's 2023 directorial debut In Flames, a film that left me and my friend hyper-aware about having to travel back home in a ride with a stranger. As I watched Ramesha Nawal and Bakhtawar Mazhar play mother-daughter duo Mariam and Fariha on screen, navigating the onslaught of creepy, abusive or simply annoying men in their lives, I couldn't help but reflect on my own relationship with my amma. There are so many things that are left unsaid between us, things we know affect and shape a big part of who we are, such as the reality of existing as a woman in this world, and more specifically, in this city of Karachi. This reality is projected onto us both externally, through our bodies—how we perceive our own limbs—and internally, through our subconscious gestures. The hand we place across our neck when we feel a pair of eyes on our flesh, the desperate grip of our shawl as we pull it tighter around our chest (we anticipate the betrayal of a strong gust of wind). My amma never sat me down to tell me what I should expect living as a woman in this world. Neither did her mother before her, and neither did Fariha do so for Mariam. We are made aware of what we are in for solely through our experiences and confrontations with the unfiltered and screaming face of the world. We live this reality every day, and we are living manifestations of it - in our bones, the lines on our face, the fists of our hands. Characters Mariam and Fariha not only confront the things unsaid between them, but confront the one character in the film that leaves no stone unturned in making us realise the frailty of our existence—Karachi. Karachi, as a spirited, potent, and dynamic entity, emerges as the film's main antagonist. It is the current against which all the characters, even the perverted men, are flowing. The sensorial depiction of the city is, for me, the film's most captivating element. The fervent sound design perfectly captures the ghutan—the acute suffocation we feel, as if a boulder sits on our chest, living in this vast, open-mouthed, overflowing city. The eerie resonating whistle of a security guard patrolling the area at ungodly hours of the night is symbolic of the ironic terror that the image represents i.e. no guard can protect you from the horrors that haunt you from within, be it within your house or your mind. Sometimes, the guard himself is part of the problem. Moreover, the film beautifully portrays the city's gluttonous appetite to overload our senses. The haunting shadows cast by the lights—the green light blinking over Mariam's head as she stands on the balcony, tormented by images of her deceased father, her deceased boyfriend's hands choking her, and the deviant rickshaw driver revealing his perverse intentions—are all symbolic of the overwhelming nausea induced by this environment. Despite the bleakness and apprehension that all of us would undoubtedly feel once we confront the absurd caricatured dangers of our world, In Flames reminds us that hope exists. Hope exists in love—in Fariha's arms as she embraces her daughter after saving her from a traumatic experience with the twisted rickshaw driver. It lies in a mother's silent observation of the subtle worry lines between her child's eyes, the hand that brushes the sweaty, matted hair from her fevered little one's face. Here's hoping we can stop hiding someday, drowning our sorrows in the ocean, sending our woes up in flames, their red-hot embers burning a formidable memory in their wake.
Express Tribune
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
We all benefit from a creator's dream'
SLOUGH, ENGLAND: For a bookaholic (definition: one always has an emergency book on their person alongside the obligatory phone and wallet), nothing makes the heart twang with excitement more than a literature festival. I am talking, of course, about the 16th Karachi Literature Festival – and the very fact that it exists makes the bookaholic in me more homesick than ever, more so even than the combined pain of missing out on nihari and Bihari kabab rolls. Is there anything for the humble expat? Of course, the main joy in attending a literature festival or book fair of any description is grappling with the question, "How many books will not break the bank?" followed by the deliciously devilish thought, "Screw the bank, how many of these can I carry back to the car?" As an expat currently living in Slough – much too far away from the Beach Luxury Hotel – I was denied the raptures of walking away with a teetering pile of books. However, thanks to Oxford University Press taking the trouble to post mouth-watering reels and full-blown videos of panel discussions with industry experts, I could certainly be there vicariously. Whilst every single contributor spoke eloquently on the issues prevalent today – be it about art or about the world at large – this limited space does not permit paying adequate homage to their insights. Poring through the hours of raw footage posted by OUP, here are two cornerstone media women whose words stood out. Mishal Husain As an expat Pakistani woman, Mishal Husain is a force to be reckoned with – especially for someone wanting to prove to girls that a long-standing respectable career in the media is possible for anyone. Husain's face and voice will be familiar to any avid BBC news watcher for 28 years until late last year. The broadcast journalist, whose roots lie in Pakistan, spoke during the closing ceremony during her first stint at the festival, lauding the range of panel discussions from climate change to theatre in Sindhi, Balochi, Punjabi and Pashto, amongst many others. "The special spirit of Karachi has been brought under one roof – this has not happened by accident," Husain said warmly. Speaking in depth about her parents' and grandparents' experiences during partition, Husain said, "I mention all this because of the many writers and creators of different kinds who are gathered here. In their dreams, there will be fictional characters and the search for the right word of expression. For the visual creator, they will try to capture the right image that captures their scene. Film and documentary makers will dream of the perfect visuals. For agents and designers, there will be layouts and captions – and that's where all of us come in and come together. Paying homage to the depth and breadth of creators in the country, Husain poignantly noted, "We all benefit from the dreams of the creators. In the context of Pakistan, their work is no less of a part of the building of a nation than the building of a factory or a road." Kamila Shamsie on writing Any aspiring Pakistani novelist would do well to take on board Salt and Safron author Kamila Shamsie's advice on writing, which the writer eloquently expressed during a panel discussion running over an hour long. You would be surprised to know that there is much more to finishing a book than nailing the nitty gritty of your plot and the backstory of your characters. "If the writing has to feel alive, a lot of it has to be a surprise to you, as a writer," she advised. "There has to be a sense of discovery there. You really need to log into your subconscious." When it comes to getting under the skin of a place, Shamsie had more specific insights. "Writing about a place defines your relationship to that city," said the writer, who has previously gone on record to say that she is made up of the books that she has read as much as the cities she has lived in. Elaborating on the special nuances she incorporates about a place in her writing, Shamsie added, "When you write about a place, you need to know, what is the weather in May as opposed to November? What plants are in bloom? What trees are growing there?" Be not alarmed if you want to write fiction but cannot even keep a cactus alive. I don't know anything about plants," confessed Shamsie. "I'm terrible. But every one of my novels will tell you what is in bloom, what trees are around and whether they are in flower or not. When I'm writing about Karachi, I basically call my mother and ask her, 'In June, what's in flower?'" The details that Shamsie stitches into her prose becomes evident when we see her writer's mind at work – and to be given the opportunity to get a sneak peek behind the scenes makes the pain being so far away from this precious festival bearable. Other KLF highlights The three-day Karachi Literature Festival was held from February 7-9 at the Beach Luxury Hotel, with this year's theme revolving around 'Narrative from the Soil'. Panel discussions shed light on critical issues facing the city and its place in the world, seeking ways to move forward. Rather than dwelling on disorder, violence, and calamities, the aim was to understand these challenges and find lasting solutions. The key to finding these lasting solutions? Bringing on board a diverse group of writers, thinkers and literature enthusiasts to share their stories and ideas, exploring major trends and critical issues. Bearing all this in mind, the festival this year featured over 70 sessions, including 26 book launches with a mix of both Urdu and English, alongside 15 sessions showcasing theatre, story-time, and music for younger audiences. The broad range of sessions included talks on literature, education, public interest and culture, as well as performances, feature films, and a series of short independent film screenings. In a country where public libraries are as scarce as blue diamonds, for the committed book lover, any place with a horde of books in one place is tantamount to a fashionista discovering there is a 90 per cent sale on Gucci handbags. Add to that the icing on the cake of a place for Pakistani writers to come together and take part in panel discussions (free for us to watch, in person or online), and there is no finer way to spend a weekend.
Express Tribune
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Call to amplify voices rooted in local culture
KARACHI: The 16th Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) concluded on Sunday with a call to amplify "narratives from the soil," by promoting voices rooted in the country's cultural and literary landscape. The festival brought together authors, literati, intellectuals, and artists for gripping discussions on literature, society, governance, and the arts. Urban development took centre stage in "Urban Dialogue: The Karachi Katchehri," where Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Mansoor Raza, and Bilal Hassan spoke about the city's governance and infrastructure challenges. Global and national issues triggered interesting conversations, such as "Pakistan-Bangladesh Relations: A Reset" with Ikram Sehgal and Salma Malik, and "Pakistan's Population: Time Bomb or Dividend?" where Azra Fazal Pechuho, Lubna Naz, Rehana Ahmed, and Khalid Masud discussed demographic challenges. Sustainability was a focus in "Integrating Impact and Sustainability into Business, Investment, and Life," featuring Martin Dawson, Maya Inayat Ismail, and Qasim Ali Shah. Meanwhile, the evolution of media was explored in "Have Electronic & Social Media Eroded the Quality of Political Debate?" with Azhar Abbas, Amber Rahim Shamsi, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh, and Faisal Subzwari. Kamila Shamsie reflected on her writing journey in "Weaving Worlds with Words." The festival also paid tribute to literary figures in "Ode to Our Fathers," where Saba Hamid and Tazeen Hussain remembered Hameed Akhtar and Talat Hussain. The intersection of literature and television was examined in "Chhoti Screen ki Bari Fatoohaat," featuring Noorul Huda Shah, Saba Hamid, Nadeem Baig, and Sarmad Khoosat. Urdu literature was celebrated in "Urdu ki Taza Bastiaan," with Iftikhar Arif, and Harris Khalique. Poetry lovers enjoyed "Kuchh Ghazalain, Kuchh Nazmain," featuring Moazzam Ali Khan and Maya Khan, while "Karachi: Kahaaniaan aur Nazmain" explored the city's literary heritage with Raja Shehzad, Sajjad Ahmed, and Afzal Ahmad Syed.
Express Tribune
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
KLF ends with call to amplify voices rooted in local culture
Listen to article KARACHI: The 16th Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) concluded on Sunday with a call to amplify "narratives from the soil," by promoting voices rooted in the country's cultural and literary landscape. The festival brought together authors, literati, intellectuals, and artists for gripping discussions on literature, society, governance, and the arts. Urban development took centre stage in "Urban Dialogue: The Karachi Katchehri," where Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Mansoor Raza, and Bilal Hassan spoke about the city's governance and infrastructure challenges. Global and national issues triggered interesting conversations, such as "Pakistan-Bangladesh Relations: A Reset" with Ikram Sehgal and Salma Malik, and "Pakistan's Population: Time Bomb or Dividend?" where Azra Fazal Pechuho, Lubna Naz, Rehana Ahmed, and Khalid Masud discussed demographic challenges. Sustainability was a focus in "Integrating Impact and Sustainability into Business, Investment, and Life," featuring Martin Dawson, Maya Inayat Ismail, and Qasim Ali Shah. Meanwhile, the evolution of media was explored in "Have Electronic & Social Media Eroded the Quality of Political Debate?" with Azhar Abbas, Amber Rahim Shamsi, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh, and Faisal Subzwari. Kamila Shamsie reflected on her writing journey in "Weaving Worlds with Words." The festival also paid tribute to literary figures in "Ode to Our Fathers," where Saba Hamid and Tazeen Hussain remembered Hameed Akhtar and Talat Hussain. The intersection of literature and television was examined in "Chhoti Screen ki Bari Fatoohaat," featuring Noorul Huda Shah, Saba Hamid, Nadeem Baig, and Sarmad Khoosat. Urdu literature was celebrated in "Urdu ki Taza Bastiaan," with Iftikhar Arif, and Harris Khalique. Poetry lovers enjoyed "Kuchh Ghazalain, Kuchh Nazmain," featuring Moazzam Ali Khan and Maya Khan, while "Karachi: Kahaaniaan aur Nazmain" explored the city's literary heritage with Raja Shehzad, Sajjad Ahmed, and Afzal Ahmad Syed. Sindhi Sufi poetry was honoured in "Sachal, Sami, Lateef," featuring Jami Chandio and Madad Ali Sindhi, moderated by Sher Muhammad Mehrani. Young poets took the spotlight in "Shaairi ke Rung, Jawanon ke Sung," led by Ambareen Hasib Ambar and Abdul Rehman Momin, featuring Ali Zaryoun, Umair Najmi, Dilawar Ali Aazar, and others. Crime fiction was explored in "Crime Fiction and the Pursuit of Justice," featuring Omar Shahid Hamid in conversation with Tooba Masood-Khan. Literature's role in environmental justice was the focus of "From Chapters to Change," with Uzma Aslam Khan, Tariq Alexander Qaisar, and Saba Pirzadeh. The rise of Urdu rap was also highlighted in "Emergence of Urdu Rap in Pakistan," featuring Arshad Mahmud, Babar Mangi, and Ash Rohan. Education reform was discussed in "Call to Action: Transforming Education in Pakistan," featuring Farid Panjwani, Shahid Siddiqui, Pervez Hoodbhoy, Faisal Mushtaq, and Myra Murad Khan. "New Directions in Teaching and Teacher Education" featured Anjum Halai, Mohammad Ali Shaikh, Salma Alam, and Khadija Bakhtiar. Technology's impact on learning was explored in "The Role of AI in Step-Changing Educational Outcomes in Pakistan," with Salma Alam, Hammad Malik, and Zeeshan Hassan. The Youth Pavilion hosted interactive sessions, including theatre games with Atif Badar, mind puzzles with Amna Ghulam Hussain, music and dance with Atif Badar, and storytelling by Aunty Tashi. A revival of classic children's songs took place in "Geeton ki Mehfil: Sohail Rana's Famous Songs." KLF launched 14 books, including Poems: On Being Human, In the New Century: An Anthology of Pakistani Literature in English, Of Reason, Romance and Ruin: A Conceptual History of the 'Pakistan Ideology', and the Urdu translation of Han Kang's The Vegetarian. Other titles included Soliloquies? Existing on Earth, A Woman on a Suitcase, Akbar in Wonderland, No Funeral for Nazia, Coining A Wishing Tower, Kulyaat-e-Ahmed Faraz, and Forgotten Images - Postcards of Pre-Pakistan 1890-1947. A special launch of Journey Through Chaos featured a panel discussion with Saeed Ghani, Mazhar Abbas, Mushahid Hussain Syed, and Wusatullah Khan. The closing ceremony featured former senator Khushbakht Shujaat and journalist Mishal Husain. Khushbakht called for greater public-private partnerships to sustain such events, stating, "Karachi needs to empower such platforms for true democratic principles to strengthen."
Express Tribune
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
KLF Day-II sessions captivate audience
KARACHI: The 16th Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) continued to captivate literature enthusiasts, intellectuals, and book lovers from across the country on Saturday. This year's festival, under the theme "Narratives from the Soil," embraces the rich literary and cultural traditions of Pakistan while fostering discussions on contemporary global issues. The festival offers an immersive experience with its elegantly decorated red-and-white tents, a refreshing sea breeze, and a vibrant atmosphere that welcomes families, friends, and avid readers. Visitors explore books, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and interact with some of the most distinguished local and international authors, scholars, and intellectuals. Day-II of KLF 2025 continued the festival's tradition of intellectual rigour and cultural celebration, featuring an array of discussions on literature, politics, climate change, education, law, and the arts. Climate change remained a dominant theme, with Senator Sherry Rehman and educationist Ambreena Ahmed stressing the need for integrating climate education into Pakistan's curriculum. "It is only through education that we can instill a long-term framework for our nation to become resilient to this devastating change," Sherry said. Another panel, "From Learning to Leading: Climate Education and Advocacy," brought together experts, including Afia Salam, Syeda Rinam Fatima, Athar Osama, Tabinda Jabeen, and Danish Rashdi, who explored the role of education in environmental awareness. The festival also delved into politics and activism, with a powerful discussion between Senator Sherry Rehman and British author Victoria Schofield on "The Fragrance of Tears: My Friendship with Benazir Bhutto," reflecting on their shared experiences in political activism. Legal experts Hamid Khan and Faisal Siddiqui examined Pakistan's judicial landscape in "The Legal System of Pakistan," while another panel, "We the People: Our Constitution and the Rule of Law," featuring Raza Rabbani, Abid Zuberi, and Sara Malkani, underscored the need for legal reforms. A particularly heartfelt session, "A Literary Bond," saw author Kamila Shamsie and her mother, literary critic Muneeza Shamsie, discuss how family narratives shape their writing. Kamila further explored historical storytelling in "Across the Decade: Discovering New Dimensions, New Histories," alongside Maniza Naqvi, Saba Karim, and Omar Shahid Hamid. The evolving landscape of publishing was addressed in "Kaghazi Mehek Roothnay Ko Hai: Kitaab Se E-Book Tak Ka Safar," where panelists debated the shift from print to digital formats. Education reform and youth empowerment took center stage in multiple sessions. "Are We Listening to Our Youth? Redesigning Learning for Tomorrow," featured Nadeem Ghani, Faisal Mushtaq, and Myra Murad Khan discussing the urgent need for educational innovation. Public-private partnerships in education were explored in "From Emergency to Empowerment," with Shehzad Roy, Amin A Hashwani, and others highlighting solutions for bridging the education gap.
