Monthly Archives: November 2007

I sent this poem to Fahmida Riaz a few days ago to comfort her. Little did I know that there would be another death of a close one; and I had to read it again to console myself!

Autumn Rose Elegy

I posted an article on female stereotyping at  All Things Pakistan blog. There was a bit of discussion but I was also chided as being partial, class-ist and insensitive to men.

Here was this humble blogger, on the defensive: (more…)

Raza, ki jaane mai kaun? I too, cannot recognise myself either, for I am totally traversing through time nad space, and taking in the art, history, music and literature as my inner campanion. I think you have a lot of depth and beauty, as you have demonstrated this wonderful site, unselfishly sharing the best of what really matters! I salute you and wish our paths meet one day. Till then, experience the unknown deeply.

Yesterday was the Iqbal day- year after year it has become just another empty ritual. High sounding speeches and statements, visits to Iqbal’s tomb in the spectacular Hazoori Baagh and negligible focus on his message and vision.

In essence, Iqbal argued for the reformation of the Muslims and the Islam and was perhaps the boldest of voices in our times.

The stature of his poetry needs no introduction or tribute – it is universal, profound and truly original.

My post entitled Remembering Iqbal’s message for change was posted at Pakistaniat and later picked up by the blog Light Within. I am reproducing excerpts here: (more…)

Facebook cannot be all that benign. There is a privacy issue – I am not an expert and would like to know if the scary stories about Facebook are true? (more…)

Indians and Hindus in Pakistan are celebrating Diwali today – I wish them a very happy Diwali. There will be fireworks and festivities signifying Ram’s return after a long exile. (more…)

BC is carrying the captioned post of mine today. I am posting some excerpts here: (more…)

Wealth has no permanence: it comes in the morning, (more…)

Liked this excellent editorial from The News: (more…)

My young friend has translated Fahmida Riaz‘s words, and how inspiring these are.. (more…)

Sometime back I had written a piece on the Kafkaesque nature of our history. The recent events though not altogether unexpected nor peculiar reminded of how the bizarre is almost normal. (more…)

I stumbled on this article on Byron – a romantic poet – who died young but left a legacy of fine poetry, political vision and surely a lifestyle ahead of his age.. (more…)

Ali Eteraz on post-Islamism: (more…)