We can smile in adversity too – the Biharis in Bangladesh
I took this photo at a Bihari camp in Dhaka. Thousands of ‘Pakistanis’ are stranded in Bangaldesh since 1971 and both the states refuse…
THE DANCE OF SHIVA
Truly, LOVE is the sole universal experience. In modern times, we all know Human Love, but can we cross over to Divine Love, as…
Doors in Metal
“Doors in Metal” by Rumi Tell me, O Love, Who is more elegant, You or this vast garden of yours? Shine, O moon, You…
A ‘counter-view’ of suicide-bombing
The victims are not exclusively Americans and Jews but in countries like Iraq and Pakistan, Muslims themselves. What is even more traumatising "which arouses…
Intisaab- Faiz’s poem with translation
Intisaab by Faiz Ahmed Faiz Aaj ke naam Aur Aaj ke gham ke naam Aaj ka gham ke hai zindagi ke bhare gulistan se…
To Muslims: Smash the Doors, Wash your brains..
Came across this excellent article by Farooq Suleria that rather candidly talks about the dearth of creativity in Muslims of today. I love the…
The story of an ivory chair – Murshidabad’s gift to Hastings
Dr Amin Jaffer, the expert on Indian arts and furniture, currently working at Christie’s holds forth in a conversation below. The chair above is…
Know the true definition of yourself
Rumi on knowing ourselves Suppose you know the definitions of all substances and their derivatives, what good is this to you? Know the true…
No bar to love
Christian Spurrier on the tragedy of Gramsci’s prison years as revealed in letters to his wife and sons (Guardian) When I see the actions…
Hassan Massoudy’s calligraphy: Raza et Rumi
“The gestures of the calligrapher become an open space, welcoming the words of the poet and the imagination of the onlooker”. Discovered this image…
Christian Fundamentalism, the Global Crusade and Muslims
Yoginder Sikand, the Indian analyst sent me this well written expose on problem that we all confront – of coping with fundamentalism. Now let…
My poems have been published – finally
This is the first time… Two poems of mine have been published by the international poetry digest, “A Hudson View” in its Spring 2008…
The myriad voices of Pakistani blogosphere
My first post at Global Voices was published last night “Pakistan’s growing blogosphere presents a kaleidoscope of the complex, contradictory developments within the country.…
Rumi and Sufism
An Interview with Seyyed Hossein Nasr on Islam’s Spiritual Science in the Modern Age By WAJAHAT ALI Rumi, the best selling poet in America…
Rannikot II
Salman Rashid muses on the ancient site of Rannikot in Sindh and prefers that it is”enigmatic, inscrutable, inviting” One thing is certain about Rannikot:…
The electric, worrisome and meandering Long March in Pakistan
NYT report on Long March highlights the electrifying atmosphere in Islamabad yesterday: The crowd, including an unusual number of women for this Muslim country,…
Without clouds shedding tears
Without the eyes  two clouds  the lightning of the heart: The fire of God’s threat, how could it be allayed? How would the herbage…
My painting – “Raheem and Kareem”
 Rahim & Karim – Acrylic on canvas – 12″ x 18″ This is a small painting that I created in December 2007. I wanted…
MEDITATIONS AND MERCHANDISE
A Poem by M.I. Kuruwilla Carry a message to your own people, my friend, Which will be well understood by your people, Not ours-…
Four poems by Bulleh Shah (new translations)
Who I am I know not who I am, I am neither a believer going to the mosque Nor given to non-believing ways. Neither…