The Great War for Civilisation

Robert Fisk is the boldest and the most brilliant frontline reporter/journalist of his generation (I have avoided the term ‘war correspondent’ as he dislikes…

Ustad Bismillah Khan is no more

With the passing away of shehnai maestero Ustad Bismillah Khan, the subcontinent is a lesser place – a legend of our times has left…

Urs of Bulleh Shah in Kasur

The annual Urs of Bulleh Shah, the Punjabi mystic poet, commenced yesterday in Kasur yesterday. Bulleh’s poetry reflected his rejection of orthodox hold of…

God – the tangled narrative

A Punjabi quartet by the Sikh poet Mohan Singh Rabb ik gunjhaldar ibbarat, rabb ik gorakhdhandha, Pech aes de kholde, kholde kaafir ho jaye…

Urs of Bulleh Shah

The annual Urs of Bulleh Shah, the Punjabi mystic poet, concluded yesterday in Kasur yesterday. Bulleh’s poetry reflected his rejection of orthodox hold of…

Adieu Naguib Mahfouz

Naguib Mahfouz is no more. He passed away on August 30, 2006 at the age of 94. Mahfouz, was the first Arab writer to…

A ghazal from Jahanuma

Jahanuma sent me this ghazal and I like its mood…. I will try and translate it later.. Naqshe khushboo ko fana kaise karen ab…