Enjoying life is as much necessary as work :)

At the time of the history’s greatest migration, along with geographical disorientation, the infant Pakistan was also psychologically lost and depressed. These were dire times when simple survival as a seperate nation was the only priority and arts at such time could not be given much heed. This led to further gloom of the art lovers as well as artists themselves. Apart from radio Pakistan there was no more music in the air. Music lovers reminisced the live music concerts whereas maestros in the field of music started to crumble. At such a difficult time for music in Pakistan it was cocncerned citizens that collectively volunteered to initiate the All Pakistan Music Conference in 1959. Their main objective was to rejuvenate and relive the glory of classical music and arrange seminars, conferences and concerts. (courtesy: www.apmc.info)

Today, 49 years later the All Pakistan Music Conference maintains its poise and is held every year without fail reminding us of the art that breathes in the same ambience as we do. Classical music and dance is in the air of the subcontinent. We can choose to ignore it but not eradicate it.

The remaining APMC Festival 2008 has been postponed but the last of the few events was last month when Hajrah Khan, a Social Sciences Major from Lahore University of Management Sciences read an academic paper on “Urdu Ghazal & English Sonnet” very intricately interlacing the two and reminding us , art has no boundaries, geographical or demographic. The esteemed presence of Shaista Sirajuddin to read out the English Sonnets selected by Hajrah and Dr Arfa Syeda Zehra to recite Urdu Ghazals added to the magic.

The research paper was followed by Tabla maestro Shahbaz Hussain from Manchester, who gave a talk on different components of Tabla(solo) playing again resembling those of an English Sonnet and and Urdu Ghazal. Shahbaz Hussain is a student of Ustaad Allah Rakha’s son, Ustaad Shaukat Hussain and Ustaad Fayyaz Khan. He has also performed with Ustaad Valayat Khan on his last concert in London. Shahbaz Hussain teaches at NewCastle University which happens to be the first university in the world to have introduced a degree in Tabla. Himself being born in the UK, his parents hail from Lahore and so here’s a son of the soil making us all proud of the fact that we share his roots. This event was by far the best account of playing any classical instrument and the accompanying talk (given in English) was surprisingly free of any (greek!) jargon  and completely comprehendable by the common man.

The best part was where he told how long ago a girl from Lahore was married into a musical “gharana”(family) in Delhi and her father gave her 500 “gats” as her dowry. Shahbaz also played one of those Lahori Gats in the end.

All Pakistan Music Conference is an association which is truly (and quietly) conserving our heritage and not letting it wash away with the graffiti of all things new.

The city of Lahore, it turns out, has 11 twins or sister cities. Here’s the list:

1) Istanbul - Turkey.  2) Sari Won - Democratic Republic of Korea.  3) Xian - China.  4) Kortrijk - Belgium.  5) Fez  - Morocco.  6) Cordoba - Spain.  7) Samarkand - Uzbekstan.  8) Isfahan - Iran.  9) Mashad  - Iran.  10) Glasgow - UK.  11) Chicago - USA

To me, the above is quite a fascinating mix of metropolitans. But the question is, which of the above fits the title of “Lahore’s twin” most appropriately? and which of the above is least similar to Lahore? and why?

Also which other city (or cities) do you think should be twinned with Lahore?

As per the following news report, “Glasgow is the only city working on enhancing the ties between the two cities. It has offered training facilities to the Rescue 1122 officials besides donating firefighting vehicles.”

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C03%5C02%5Cstory_2-3-2007_pg7_43

From a friend’s album on Facebook :)

An easy guess, no?

Opee few months back shared this amazing song by Tariq Tafoo with us “Lahore Lahore Aye“. I heard Tariq singing this very song couple of years back and Man it was an awesoem experience (Notably needs to bementioned that it was Abrar ul Haq’s concert :D, so u can well imagine the energy levels and punjabi interest en masse).

Lahoris DO say “Lauhr Lauhr Aye” whenever their lahori Praises get finished :-D

Try it any time with any lahori ;-)

Let’s hear it again .. before I go with Lauhr Lauhr Aye - III

So Aye Lahoriiyon, Do You have any good reasons to Love Lahore??
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What more to write … when Desi Bak-a-Rr-r-a’s Payyay are available so easily to savour your taste ;-)

Image Courtesy: Naeem Rashid

Senior US diplomat as well as a distinguished journalist, Mr. Phillips Talbot was in town to revive his memories of the time he spent in Lahore and to get feedback on his latest publication; ‘An American Witness to India Partition’.

Talking to Daily Times during his recent visit to Lahore, he recalled memories of Lahore, a city that he considered the loveliest and relatively liberal in Pakistan. He wished to visit the place - Minto Park (now Minar-e-Pakistan) - where once Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had passed the Pakistan Resolution and historic buildings like National Museum on The Mall. He termed consistency of democracy key to Pakistan’s progress.

He said, “I still remember the tall buildings of the Aitchison College and the National Museum. He said, “Lahore is the only city in Pakistan I am affiliated with.” During his stay in Lahore, he said, he used to write for several newspapers.

He said he had a bulk of memories, which he later published in his book An American Witness to India Partition. “I have heard that Lahoris are conservative, but I have still to see any evidence of this.”

News Source: DT

Just saw this picture in Dawn and I’m totally disgusted by the so-called humanity (even if some is left in us). You don’t have to go somewhere special to see such incidents, specially in cities as Lahore. Animals kept badly is a common sight. The same animals who are extensively used for the business-keeping of their owners.

I know very clearly that we’re not talking about rich and famous here but the poor who may be living hand to mouth. But these very animals are one big source of their food and income too.

Humans can rant as I’m ranting here but what about these poor souls who can’t tell their sufferings or pains. The strangled animal here is visibly in pain. The cruelty with which its been handled and the “tamash-been” around.

Sadly, everything is a TAMASHA for us, humans or animals, whoever be suffering.

Can anything be done for these animals?? Any suggestions??

Image Courtesy: Dawn

Other Donkey related posts …!

Khotaa - Shahi Sawari

Donkey Ride 1

Donkey Ride 2

Khotay Humaray Mulk Kay

What you are seeing here is a night shot of Gulberg Main Boulevard. The photographer is probably flying somewhere in the sky. The traffic is flowing almost exclusively in one direction. The road is beautifully lit. Stars are shining (although you can’t see them in the pic but I can assure you they are… they normally do at this time of the night).

The time is almost 3:30 am…. It’s not your normal evening drive time. It’s way past midnight. If you are a foreigner watching this scene in Lahore, don’t be surprised just yet. Follow the traffic till it reaches its destination.

Almost 4:00 am. A road full of restaurants. All of them open and filled to capacity. Waiters taking coffee & tea orders. Buffet being served. Lavish food, not just breakfast, at 4:00 am. Families, friends, kids, all of them having a good time. At 4:00 am.

This is Lahore. Live and kicking…in the month of Ramazan…. at 4:00 am.

Image Source: Daily Times

Four panicked Post-graduate students, One fast-approaching research paper deadline, Trillions of drizzling droplets of rain, and what do you get? A memorable trip down to Lahore’s Quaid-E-Azam Library, situated smack dab in the middle of Bagh-e-Jinnah, in pursuit of Library membership.
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