OCTOBER 02, 2016
Dearest Weekenders!
CONTENTS 06. Around Town...
72. What’s Up Doc?
One party at a time!
Dr Meshal imparts advice on financial
50. Floral Dreams
problems during marital life.
Vleien’s latest collection takes inspiration
76. Hot Date
from French vintage floral patterns.
A conversation with Scottish poet Vicki
56. W’s Roving Eye
venture.
style A- list?
80. Can’t Win ‘em All
60. Weekend Scouts
Hits and misses of the fashion savvy.
Our hot new talent this week is Lahore
84. 21 Questions with Sara Hirji
based artist, Abid Aslam.
An insight into Sara Hirji’s likes, dislikes
64. The Reading Room
and everything in between.
Asmara Ahmed of The Dr. Reads reviews
94. Love Struck
Stephen King’s book On Writing.
Weekend’s editors’ picks!
68. Movie Review
Husband’s poetic career and translation
This week’s hottest looks! Who made the
Asmara Ahmed reviews socio-comedy film Actor in Law.
Chairperson/Publishing Editor: Rameeza Majid Nizami Editor The Nation: Salim Bokhari Editor-at-Large: Amal Khan Fashion Editor: Maryam Mahmood Features Editor: Nur Zehra Qadri Contributing Editor: Minahil Batool Shirazi Sub Editor: Rana Faizan Hussain Karachi Correspondent: Farah Vayani Fashion Correspondent: Fatima Ameer Creative Head: Faiz-ur-Rehman Creative Team: Faisal Fazal, Talat Mahfooz, Zeeshan Arif, Shoaib Qadir Photographer: M. Basharat Irshad GM Marketing: Bilal Mahmood For Advertising: Kherzan Zaidi - 0321 8976730, Ata-ur-Rehman - 0332 2427473, Khalid Sheikh - 0345 5130728
Bridal week went by in a blur (literal and figurative)of red carpet prep, crazy group chats (wouldn’t you love to know what about?) and ramp glitz! Stay tuned for some unexpected surprises in our next issue! This week we bring you a plethora of goodies. We review Actor In Law for some weekend watching, bring you the fashion hits and misses of the style savvy and pick out this week’s hottest buys. For the bookworms like us, we give you a breakdown of Stephen King’s book “On Writing”, and our Weekend Scouts this week is with Lahore based artist, Abid Aslam. As always, all this and more, so start turning those pages Weekenders! Sincerely, Team Weekend.
weekend | around town
Mariam Mushtaq & Asima
Shades of Spring! Diva’ni showcased its Couture 2016 Bridal Collection, ‘Bagh-e-Bahar’ at the Haveli Barood Khana in Lahore.
Shanzay & Sharmin
Faisal & Saira
Aden & Rehan
october 02, 2016 | 06
Mariam & Nimra
Sammy Durrani & Saira Tareen
Sehar & Saira
Shoaib & Annie
Nina & Niki
weekend | around town
Hasan & Saad
Hira, Shirin & Zainab
Ammar Gulzar & Shazia Ammar
Omer & Saira
october 02, 2016 | 07
Asad & Anushaeh
Momina Sibtain
Sehyr Anis
Munib Nawaz
Mehak Rizvi
weekend | around town
Azeem Sani
Ali Xeeshan
Jimmy Khan
Kamiar Rokni
Ayesha Noon
Amber Liaqat
Ali Safina
Minahil
Mariam Rana
Shanzay Sheikh
Sania
october 02, 2016 | 08
Erum Khan
weekend | around town
Little Girl is Tutu Cute! A baby shower was held for Maha Hashmi Sheikh in DHA, Lahore.
Maha Hashmi Sheikh
october 02, 2016 | 10
Mehreen Zafar & Alina Murad
Elham, Anum, Ammara, Nina, Afifa & Amna
Mahvish & Gohar
Hira Hashmi
Fatima Ameer & Zona
Maliha & Tehreem
weekend | around town
Amna
Neelum Waqas
Amna Hassan
Mavira Tahir
Nazish & Maliha
Ammara Ahmed
Anum
Fiza Gillani
Gohar
october 02, 2016 | 11
Mehvish Khan
weekend | around town
Dance the Night Away! The opening night of Levi’sŽ Live featuring live performances was held at Riot Studios. The PR of the event was managed by Native Rock PR.
Ali, Momo, Zara & Faizan
Ambreen & Asim
Amber & Noshin
october 02, 2016 | 14
Rabia & Vanessa
Malika & Fareed Aslam
Jiaa & Rubab
Mehdi & Zahra Naveed
Haseeb Iqbal & Masood Butt
weekend | around town
Mahnoor,Eila & Sarah
M Ali, Maha & Raza
Eesha & Uzma Rao
Amna & Usman
october 02, 2016 | 15
Mubashar & Arwa
Mohsin Naveed Ranjha
Zulfi
Umair Fazli
Farhad Humayun
weekend | around town
Mubasher, Hammad & Omer
Maria Fatima
Haiya Bokhari
Hammad Sadiq
Foha Raza
october 02, 2016 | 16
Sahar
Abdullah Qureshi
Umer Draaz
Sanya
Sofia
Sumaira
weekend | around town
Sting Challenge! Adeel Ch. , Fraz Khan & Amanat Ali
Ali & Ashi
‘Sting Challenge Round 2’ starring the legendary boxer Amir Khan was held at Royal Palm, Lahore. The event was managed by JBnJaws and the PR by Cartel.
Iqra, Laiba & Anum
Aden & Rehan
october 02, 2016 | 18
Alizeh & Ayesha
Ali Sikander
Ali Safina
Saad Qureshi
Amir Khan
weekend | around town
Jaana Malik & Nauman Javed
Junaid Khan, Cybil, Munib & Anoushay
Ammar & Mehtab
Beenish & Haseeb
october 02, 2016 | 19
Fiza & Mahnoor
Ushna Shah
Vanessa Alam
Shoaib Malik
Anoushey Ashraf
weekend | around town
Warda & Ali
Oh So Surreal! The Magnum Chocolate Party took place at Pearl Continental in Karachi. The PR of the event was managed by Lotus PR.
Amir Adnan & Huma Adnan
Momina & Zara
Usaid Farooq & Marium
Ali Xeeshan & Nilofer Shahid
Momal Sheikh & Hassan Rizvi
october 02, 2016 | 22
Ayesha & Ali Zafar
Ayaz Anis & Rana Khan
Mehwish & Fiza
weekend | around town
Eshal Fayyaz
Ayesha, Nashmiya, Momal & Kamran
Erum & Muzaffar
Naveen & Pareesa
october 02, 2016 | 23
Sarwat Gillani & Fahad Mirza
Tapu Javeri
Syra Yusuf
Shamael Ansari
Umair
Junaid
weekend | around town
Aamina Sheikh
Maheen Khan
Nida Azwer
Saima
Saba But
Fariha Altaf
Saleema
october 02, 2016 | 24
Amna Isani
Bia Feroze
Nina Kashif
Sameera Raja
Nomi Ansari
weekend | around town
Aamna Isani
An Incredible Lunch! Lotus PR hosted a pre-party Magnum Lunch for guests at the Pearl Continental Hotel in Karachi.
Shamael Ansari & Nilofer Shahid
Amna Rasheed Khan & Aneesa Rashid khan
Ehab & Farheen
october 02, 2016 | 26
Frieha Altaf & Rana Asif
Shakil Saigol & Sameera Raja
Wajiha
Azka Waqar
Lubna
Rao & Ayesha
weekend | around town
Omer
Tribute To A Legend EMI Pakistan Ltd paid tribute to Madam Noor Jehan on her birthday by presenting a short film, ‘Gul-e-Daudi: In Tribute to Noor Jehan’ in Lahore. The PR of the event was handled by Trans Media.
Kaisar Sultan
Naghmana & Willa
Fatima, Sania & Labiba
Ismat & Usman
october 02, 2016 | 28
Mahnoor & Momal
Ismat Riaz
Hareem
Jimmy Khan
Adeel Hashmi
weekend | around town
Saba & Raza
The cast
october 02, 2016 | 29
Umar Riaz & Zeeshan Chaudhry
Tehreem, Mustfa & Maha
Farhan, Farid & Baber
Kanwal
Mehak Ali
weekend | around town
Paul Saques
Madrid to Lahore! Real Madrid Foundation Director Joaquin Sagues announced the registration of the camp in an event held at the PC Hotel, Lahore. The PR was managed by Pitch Media.
Jaoquin Saques
Sana & Amber
Arhum & Resham
october 02, 2016 | 32
Salman Sarwar Butt
Zermina
Ayesha
Saneela, Anum Lodhi with friend
Haider Akram, Haris Mir & Saman Safeeq
weekend | around town
Aman Abbas & Tauseef
Sameer & Faizan
Shaighan & Abdul Rehman Chan
october 02, 2016 | 33
Mehwish & Nadia
Dr Sohail, Salman Butt, Mian Rizwan Ali & Shahid Khokhar
Shaighan, Usman Khan, Aman Abbas & Tauseef Zia
Samina
weekend | around town
Making Strides! ShoeBox opened its outlet at the Emporium Mall in Lahore. The event was managed by Troika Events and PR.
Team Troika
Nabiha & Mehreen
Iram, Fatima, Hamza with friend
Babloo & Anushay
october 02, 2016 | 34
Mian Mansha
Kherzan Zaidi
Amanat Ali
Kuki
Shahrukh Imtiaz
weekend | around town
MKB, Momin, Iman, Saheefa & Aimal
Sheraz & Saad
Fatima Saif
october 02, 2016 | 35
Kiran Butt
Aima Baig with friend
Team ShoeBox
weekend | around town
Zoe
Sarah Sarfraz
Abdullah Qureshi
Zoya Nasir
Soch Band
Usama Khattak
october 02, 2016 | 36
Sheikh Ahmad
Sabina Ali
Waleed Majid
Zeeshan Sohail
MKB
weekend | around town
One-Stop Shopping! Alpha Supermarket opened at Ocean Mall in Karachi. The PR of the event was handled by Take II PR.
Khaled Anam & Muneeb Butt
Misbah & Hameeda
Deepak Parwani & Aamna Aqeel
october 02, 2016 | 38
Javeria & Zarrar Khuro
Aamna Aqeel, Suleha, Fauzia, Shehnaz & Marofa
Fazila Kazi
Ayesha Tammy Haq
Ahsan Khan
Misbah Khalid
weekend | around town
Omar Shehzad & Abeer Rizvi
Noor, Haider, Munisa & Alma
Rubab Masood & Abbas Jafry
Fahim Abbas & Muzna Ibrahim
october 02, 2016 | 40
Arsalan & Samra
Umair Mirza
Neera Mansoor
Eshal Fayyaz
Sanam Chaudhry
weekend | around town
Screen Stories! Azfar Jaffri’s film Janaan premiered in Karachi. The PR of the event was managed by Walnut Communications.
Bilal Ashraf, Armeena Rana Khan, Hania Aamir, Ali Rehman Khan & Usman Mukhtar
Armeena Rana Khan
Bilal Ashraf & HSY
october 02, 2016 | 44
Hania Aamir & Ahmed Ali
Bilal Ashraf & Ali Rehman Khan
Azfar Jafri & Imran Raza Kazmi
Saba Jerjees & Jerjees Seja
weekend | around town
Hania Aamir
Gohar, Rubab & Zahid
Hareem Farooq
Fizza Ali Meerza & Nabeel Qureshi
0ctober 02, 2016 | 45
Bushra Ansari with her sister
Kiran Tabeer
Fizza Furqan
Sarwat Gilani
Ahmed Ali Butt
Floral dreams
A Floral Affair, Vleien’s latest collection takes inspiration from French vintage floral patterns. The collection uses lighter shades with clean modern cuts and impeccable craftsmanship. The use of organza and silk with resham embroidery and swarovski details are some of the highlights.
Brand name: Vleien Collection: A Floral Affair Model: Mahnur Haider Photographer: Umar Khan MUA: Qasim Liaqat
weekend | FASHION
W’s ROVIN ell, what’s the use of W a pair of good eyes that never rove? Weekend’s been going through our fashion files for the week
Ayesha Fazli Ali Zafar
SEPTEMBER 25, 2016 | 74
Confidence is key to both feeling and looking great, and Ali oozes that in spades. The inky blue colour is a welcome departure from all black looks for men.
Classics never go out of fashion for a reason and Ayesha’s black and gold sari is testament to just that. We like that she kept her accessories relatively minimal to dress down the outfit and make it event appropriate.
Kamiar Rokni
We are big fans of dressing occasion appropriate and Kamiar does just that at this event. His beautifully tailored ensemble completed with a touch of colour in the form of embroidered khussas, is perfect for the old worldly magic of the Haveli.
weekend | FASHION
ING eye and these are the people who caught our fancy for either their style, their courage or their star power. Well played!
Magul Farooq
Syra Yusuf Beigey gold tones add a Grecian vibe to this simple maxi dress. The cinched in waist and peek-a-boo sleeves add detail to an otherwise simple ensemble.
Quirky, eclectic and always marching to the beat of his own drum – while his looks may be divisive no one can accuse Ali of being boring. In what is often a sea of homogeneous looks, his unique styling choices ensure this designer always stands out from the crowd.
october 02, 2016 | 57
Ali Xeeshan
Magul rarely makes a style misstep and this outfit is the perfect example of her laid back luxe aesthetic. Simple looks are often the most difficult to execute but Magul makes this seem totally uncontrived. The relaxed tee, unfussy hair and lovely tangerine touches make this a style hit.
weekend | Fashion
Weekend Scouts Abid Aslam Artist Lahore
@pieses_abid
october 02, 2016 | 60
What does the word Art mean to you? For me, Art is nature. Every new art piece is like a new born baby to me. As when it’s born, everything seems new to him/her i.e. people, surroundings, nature, atmosphere. Nature is what drives my art.
What is your work influenced by? Pointillism
title = under control size = 34 x 46 inches (each) X 6 parts full size (92 x 108) inches medium = mix media on wasli
What kind of art do you most identify with and why? I think every artist has their own identity and attempt to create theirown style of work, mediums and techniques. I use a lot of techniques but I’m mostly drawn to the rings/eyelets technique. It creates a very vibrant image and illusion, showcasing “Pointillism” or “Post-Impressionism”
title = mein tun size = 26 x 32 inches (each) diptych full size (52 x 64) inches medium = mix media on wasli
title = Lovers dinner size = 36 x 80 inches (each) diptych full size (72 x 80)inches medium = mix media on wasli
What was the very first piece you created? The very first art piece that I created was a self-portrait which I haven’t showcased at any art gallery yet. It was just an experiment to check if it is really useful to create an image by using rings as a medium or not. After that my first real break was the group show “Drawing Mandalas”, held in Karachi. I use rings as a medium to create work, it was the first time that I created it on a large scale by showing an urban landscape which was actually a formation of our flag. Are there any memorable responses you have received for your work? I have a lot of memorable viewers’ reactions but my favorite is from a group show “SILSILA”, held at Sanat Art Gallery in Karachi, curated by R.M Naeem. The show included 20 senior and junior mix of artists. I made a large scale painting for the show sized as 8 by 8 feet. I got fabulous comments from some senior artists, in addition with the title ‘Showstopper work’. It felt like the most amazing and best moment of my Art journey. How would you describe your pieces? There is not any one definite subject seen in my work. I like to introduce new styles with every piece and also attempt to catch and incorporate individual reviews and the general interest shown towards my work.
title = Q.A. librery size = 36 x 80 inches medium = eyelets on wasli
title = welcome summer size = 36 x 60 inches (each) diptych full size (60 x 72)inches medium = eyelets on wasli
weekend | Fashion
Name a few artists who inspire you. There is a long list that includes the likes of Andy Warhol, Vincent Van Gogh, George Seurat, Muhammad Zeeshan, R.M.Naeem, Adeelul Hassan, Waqas Khan and Rashid Rana. Their way of talking, work style, life style, colors used in their paintings and the way they think is just incredible and so inspiring.
october 02, 2016 | 62
title = GOD BLESSED YOU size = 34 x 46 inches (each) diptych full size (68 x 92) inches medium = mix media on wasli
Is there anyone in particular you would like to create a piece for? Who would it be and why? Yes, there are actually so many loved ones who guided me and helped me and provided me with a comfort zone. I want to thank them in my own way by gifting them an art piece from my creations. I want to make another painting for my parents. As I already made a painting titled “God Bless You” depicting the image of my parents for my solo show held at Sanat Gallery, Karachi but couldn’t bring it back because there was a lady at the show who had lost her parents and felt emotionally connected to that piece so she requested me let her have it. It was not easy for me to refuse her, I couldn’t say a single word to her at that moment and handed over my art work. It is obvious that one cannot easily return the love that our parents give us. I cannot thank them enough for all their kind deeds, blessings and best wishes to me. So, I do want to create another master piece for my parents
In what way do you think Art in Pakistan should evolve? I think there should be more promotional ventureslike artist talks etc. to develop awareness and interest in our youth for the love of art. Moreover, review of different exhibitions and art works can also enhance interest towards Art. What is your ultimate vision as an artist? I’m not like other artists who graduate from popular colleges and universities and their institutes help them a lot to get fame. I graduated from a very small and less known institute named Hunerkada College of Visual and Performing Arts in Lahore. My dream is to find fame in life but I want to be known so that I am able to give more recognition to my college from where I graduated. I want to introduce my institute to the world and clear misconceptions that good art can only come from certain set notions of a good Art college.
title = english Vinglish size = ( 36 x 66 ) inches medium = eyelets on wasli
weekend | books
The Reading Room
Book in Focus: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
october 02, 2016 | 64
Review by Asmara Ahmed Qaisrani ( @TheDoctorReads)
Have you ever experienced a nostalgia so deep, even painful, that it cut through your chest like a cold wind? That pretty much sums up my experience of reading ‘The Ocean at the End of the Lane’. I’m not new to Neil Gaiman. Even when he was new to me, he felt familiar, like an old friend you used to play in the street with, the one you thought you would always be friends with. But people grow up and sometimes that means growing apart. Adult-ing is hard, harsh even. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Feeling almost autobiographical in places, ‘The Ocean at The End of the Lane’ is a novel about childhood and it’s many monstrosities masquerading as our memories. It is a vivid book, nightmarishly rendered by Mr Gaiman’s sparse tone. His magnificent ‘American Gods’ informs the scale of this novel as well but merely as ripples, wavefronts that form echoes on the shore of your imagination. Mythology is an ocean in itself and Mr Gaiman, famous for his Sandman series of graphic novels, is an affable captain to the brave little vessel of our mind’s eye. Here, though, we are skimming the surface, not diving beneath. Part of the reason could be the narrator’s age that reigns in much of the more graphic scenes-- how could a child convey in his words what he has never really experienced? His descriptions of his dysfuntional family are funny yet saddening at the same time. But what really powers the novel is its merging of magic and reality, dreams and nightmares. Even the timespan of the novel,
“I do not miss childhood, but I miss the way I took pleasure in small things, even as greater things crumbled. I could not control the world I was in, could not walk away from things or people or moments that hurt, but I took joy in the things that made me happy.”
not only frame all of our future references, like constellations in a murky sky, but also shape our responses to them-- fight and/or flight. Live and/or die. Stay in touch and/or grow apart. While this is not my favourite novel by Mr Gaiman, it is, for me, his most thought provoking one, a story I keep returning to, for its language, for its visceral imagery, a novel that throws into deeper light what it means to be in possession of both memory and language, our two most human traits.
Available at
Liberty Books for PKR 756
october 02, 2016 | 65
starting and ending by the side of a ‘duckpond’ at the Hempstead farm, is a Möbius strip, circling into an infinite spiral as the narrator’s memories fade in and out of reality from fantasy, from wishes to regrets. ‘Ocean’ feels like your typical fantasy novel but its plot and narrative somehow lift it above it’s genre. Or it could simply because of the power of its author’s writing. A story by Neil Gaiman, who informed so many of my own teenage forays into writing, is simply, inescapably a story by Neil Gaiman. It is a story that cannot transcend its author, yet still thrives in his shadow. More than anything, ‘Ocean’ is symbolic of how all our childhood experiences
weekend | books
Favourite lines:
weekend | movie
Movie in Review
Actor In Law Reviewed by
Asmara Ahmed aisrani
october 02, 2016 | 68
A
@TheDoctorReads
cinema screen, while projecting the moving images of thousands of frames of film, is by itself a static thing. You never forget that it is merely a flimsy wall upon which bright shadows are cast, dreams playing out in a dark world. Once in a while though, this static shroud becomes an ocean, one you find yourself happy to dive into. Showing the struggles of a young actor finding work in a brutal industry, Actor In Law follows the trials of Shaan Mirza, the son of an honest lawyer, famous for having never won a single case. After getting thrown off the set of a film (brilliant cameo by Humayun Saeed), he finds himself in court, arguing a case for a group of laid-off workers, while his father is away on Hajj. One turn of events leads to another and soon Shaan Mirza is being wooed by the political and social influencers of his city. When it all inevitably comes crashing down, more than Shaan, it is the psyche of the average Pakistani citizen that is exposed to the harshest judgement in the world; our own. Actor in Law is a rare creature in today’s world of CGI and big-name cast. It is a film propelled solely by its story; an intensely Pakistani narrative, painful in its honesty yet like the homeland that created it, acerbic, street-smart and sarcastic to a fault. It is the underdog finally given his day in the sun, a film that suspends your disbelief to the point that you forget that you’re watching a film: you become a petitioner in the court of your hero, a spectator in the street when he is dragged from his prison-van. You will be hard-pressed to name a film in recent memory, Pakistani or otherwise, where you will not be alone in raising fist-pumping cheers, screaming with laughter along with hundreds of others of your compatriots at the hilariously apt rendition of media fiascos in Pakistan’s recent history (“bright karein!” and a certain money-laundering model). If nothing else, Actor In Law, will restore your faith in your country and its people, in a way that few films do. In a world where we are constantly typecast as terrorists or lunatics, it feels good to finally be a hero for a change. After the run-away success of Na MaloomAfraad, the production team behind Actor In Law has not only upped their game but vastly improved their repertoire and Rana Kamran’s cinematography is beyond compare. Whether it is Fahad Mustafa’s lonely Shaan orating lines to the beat of darkly flapping wings in an abandoned theater or walking the streets of his city, watched by a
weekend | movie october 02, 2016 | 69
peeling poster of Quaid e Azaam, the camera is never placed at your conventional angles: it is constantly in motion, seeking out the tears in Mehwish Hayat’s eyes, catching rain drops falling from our hero’s chains. While NMA often felt like a made-for-TV film, Actor In Law shares nothing of its predecessor’s claustrophobic framing—it owns the screen, colours and scenes running in lovingly choreographed chaos, songs effortlessly seguing into the action with nary a hitch. If there was ever a film that proved to be a love letter to the streets of Pakistan, it is Actor In Law. From the slick opening sequence, to the last frame, Pakistan is all bright blue skies, all the time. Homeland’s Pakistan? Why, I hardly know ye. But what really compelled me to fall in love with this film was its portrayal of Pakistan’s myriad social issues. Yes, we are beset with problems in practically every sphere of life but instead of bemoaning them and taking the emotional blackmail route, Actor In Law respects its audience enough to know that we know better. Yes, we are a nation of racketeers and liars but we’re also the nation that gave the world Edhi Sahib and ShaukatKhanum. Sure, you can’t laugh your problems away but you don’t have to wallow in them either. Is Fahad Mustafa the next Fawad Khan? Better. He could be our answer to Bollywood’s Farhaan Akhtar; a methodically committed actor, who seizes your attention by the throat, but never commits the atrocity of over-emoting. Mehwish Hayat proves herself to be an astoundingly talented actress, her range being criminally under-utilized in the film but one looks forward to following her career. Like her lead actor, she transitions well from television to the big screen, her Meenu sharing an easy chemistry with Fahad Mustafa’s Shaan. Was she entrirely plausible as a Parsi lady? Well, no, but hey, she’s so much fun to watch (‘Facebook per zaroorlagana!’) that it’s an easy thing to overlook. Om Puri is a school of learning in himself, and it was amazing to see how well our own stars held up under his wattage. Bollywood, are you watching your back? I can happily attest to the fact that before Actor In Law, I would have written off Pakistan’s film industry in a heartbeat but after watching Nabeel Qureshi’s fantastically satirical film, I can see a glimmer of hope, a new place for Pakistan’s unique voice in the cinemas of the world. Kudos! Or rather, kiabaatheijanaab!
weekend | conversation
In Conversation with
Vicki Husband
october 02, 2016 | 76
Vicki Husband is a Scottish poet. Her poems have been widely published in literary magazines including Gutter, Magma, Northwords Now, and The Rialto, and have won prizes in the Mslexia poetry competition, the Edwin Morgan international poetry prize and the Pighog / Poetry School pamphlet prize. In 2015 Vicki took part in a project run by Highlight Arts collaborating with poets from Pakistan. This culminated in the form of a book ‘A Change in the Light’, published by Sang-e-Meel. ‘This Far Back Everything Shimmers’ is Vicki’s first collection of poetry published by Vagabond Voices. In an exclusive interview with Weekend she talked about her poetic career and her venture of translating poetry. Faizan Hussain: How has your trip to Pakistan been? Vicki Husband: It was wonderful, but short – 3 days in Lahore is not enough. However we were lucky to be able to see the Old Mosque at dusk, visit a restaurant to eat delicious Punjabi food, and of course spend time at the Lahore Literary Festival.
I have terrible memory, which gets worse when I am stressed so I don’t read from memory.
FH: What are you currently up to? VH: I have recently published my first collection of poetry ‘This Far Back Everything Shimmers.’ I am currently trying to organise readings to promote it. FH: What is the significance of the title of your book? VH: It is a line from the first poem in the book, the poem imagines listening
weekend | conversation
I have recently published my first collection of poetry: This Far Back Everything Shimmers. I am currently trying to organise readings to promote it.
spoke English so we talked at length about how they created their poems: the language, tone and metaphors among other things. Then we made an English language version of their poems. We called them ‘versions’ or trans-creations because they were not strict translations. FH: Did your visit to Lahore inspire you to read any Pakistani poets or authors? VH: In Lahore I bought and read Kishwar Naheed’s selected poems in English and Urdu ‘Defiant Colours’, which is great. I also bought a copy of Ali Akbar Natiq’s short stories ‘What Will You Give Me for This Beauty?’ published by Penguin, which is wonderful. Most recently I heard Mohammed Hanif read at the Edinburgh Book Festival and he appeared both clever and witty, so his novel ‘A Case of Exploding Mangoes’ – its next on my list. FH: What inspires you to write poetry? VH: I am a curious person and I am attracted to the outrageously strange and diverse nature of the world we live in as well as the absurdity of modern life. The wonders of the universe, mind-blowing theories of quantum physics, the patterns
october 02, 2016 | 77
in (with a radio telescope) to the time immediately after the Big Bang. It imagines a party with a jazz band. Even shortly after the Big Bang everything has already moved away from everything else in time and space as the universe quickly expands. It gives us a sense of being alone. Our existence is the blink of an eye. But the shimmering implies there is a lot still to be discovered. FH: Are you a full time poet? VH: Unfortunately poetry is not a full time occupation in Scotland! Even the most famous poets need a job in order to earn a living. I work as an Occupational Therapist for the National Health Service. It is a rewarding job, very varied, working with people in their own homes who need rehabilitation due to physical health problems. FH: You translated Urdu poems into English. How was the experience? VH: We were given ‘bridge’ translations to work from (a literal translation by a translator) but the Pakistani poets –Kishwar Naheed, Dr Khalid Javaid Jan, Afshan Sajjad and Ali Akbar Natiq– all
weekend | conversation october 02, 2016 | 78
of time – these ideas have always fascinated me and I use poetry to try and make sense of them. FH: How does a poem begin for you? With an idea, a form or an image? VH: In many different ways. It can be an idea: a new theory in physics, a strange fact about an animal, an incident in my life, colourful language, an odd phrase. Images can be inspiring as well although I often feel that is a form of translation – turning images into language. FH: How do you find the subject in a poem? VH: I start off many poems from the ideas and write around the subject and explore it on the page. I write a lot then, as if it were a block of stone, I chip away at it, sculpting it into a shape. As the shape reveals itself the subject becomes clearer then I work on the details, polishing it. Many poems don’t get this far. FH: Do you memorise your poems? VH: I have terrible memory, which gets worse when I am stressed so I don’t read from memory. If I’m practising for an event I will recite a poem aloud to myself in my car when I’m driving around at work but I struggle to remember it all. FH: Are there any forms you haven’t tried but would like to? VH: I do like experimenting with forms and working on a form that fits the subject of the poem. By form I mean not just strict traditional forms but also looser structures. So yes there are many
One poet worth reading... The American poet Kay Ryan.
I am a curious person and I am attracted to the outrageously strange and diverse nature of the world we live in as well as the absurdity of modern life.
RapidFire
What are you reading right now? George Mackay Brown – a poet, novelist and short story writer from Orkney.
types which I would like to try, or make up some new ones of my own. FH: How does social media fit into your writing life? VH: I have a blog (vickihusband. wordpress.com) which I use to post information about my poetry activities. I only joined Twitter 6 months ago, to tap into poetry and literary networks and find out about the latest events and readings. I must confess to quickly becoming addicted to it. FH: Do you have specific goals? VH: I enjoy having a project to work towards and I may apply for a poetry residency to inspire this process. I would like to collaborate with other people e.g. an artist or a physicist, to make new connections and create new work. FH: What is a measure of success as a poet? VH: It depends on your personal motivations for writing poetry. For some people publication is the measure of success, for other sit is awards or performance plaudits. For me: I enjoy the creative process and am happy if I’m pleased with the work I’ve produced. FH: If you could pass along only one piece of advice to other poets, what would it be? VH: Be prepared to put a lot of work into a poem, but be patient, I find the best poems take time and a continual process of reviewing and editing it. Find people whose opinion you trust and, who have a good knowledge of poetry, to give you critical feedback. And read, read, read.
Your favourite subject in school... Art and English, I loved them both.
Do you have any weird hidden talents? Poetry is considered unusual by many people in the UK and so writing poetry is the thing I kept hidden from acquaintances, until I published my book.
weekend | lifestyle Fashion
Can’t win ‘em all
Limited october editiion 02, 2016 | 08| 80
Most of us know what it feels like to look back on some of our #Throwback fashion moments with fondness and others with sheer horror (*what was I thinking?!) In fact, some old outfits have us trying to hide the evidence or at the very least our embarrassed faces. The fact that even fashionistas are not immune to #FashionFails brings the rest of us mere mortals some solace! This week, we ask style maven Aden Rehan to share some of her looks from both sides of the spectrum.
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I love contrasts and spontaneously mixing and matching patterns and colors! The azure blue skirt paired with striped high neck top made an eccentric outfit. Not only was I super comfortable in it but it also accentuated my frame as it suits my body type the best!
weekend | lifestyle Fashion
#lookbook
le #streetsty
#blogger
le #streetsty
#fashion fail
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For me comfort is the key at fashion week. Being a publicist means running back and forth at the venue and no sleep. Hair pulled back, a structured pant suit, paired with chunky earings made me feel confident, fashion forward and yet very relaxed in my skin!
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This Mahgul top with my favourite pair of flaired pants and ORO clutch looked chic and stylish effortlessly.
This outfit is a bit bland, although I tried to accessorise it with a metallic belt but it didn’t really pop. The neon pumps underneath were not a great idea either, but again it was one a fashion week luncheon and my poor feet were way too tired for stilettoes.
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weekend | fashion
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A film that makes you cry: Marley & Me
On fat days I:
I love food so I can’t deprive myself so I treat everyday as cheat day
Gym rat or couch potato:
Definitely a gym rat, after I’m done with the gym I always feel like I’m leaving with more energy then I started
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Saara Hirji
October 02, 2016 |84
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What is your anxiety trigger:
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All the answers to my exams so I’d get perfect grades
Come and See Me by Partynextdoor ft Drake
I honestly can’t choose, love Karachi overall it’s such a beautiful place
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A life-hack you swear by:
Uggs since autumn/ winter season is kicking in
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Who do you think will win the Game of Thrones:
Fingers crossed the House of Stark
If you could do a freaky Friday swap with someone who would it be:
de y b e it man r u w vo’t kno a F on
Coconut oil to remove makeup
The most overrated fashion these days:
Sushi or nihari:
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weekend | fashion
Five years ago you wish you had known:
Current car jam:
A crazy thing you love about your city:
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Heels or flats:
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Cats or dogs: Dogs,dogs,dogs
Socks with heels
October 02, 2016 |85
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LOVES
ly T Butterf able
Quirky Chair
Price on Request AURUM
Price on Request Home Couture
l Sweatsh Tasse PKR 6000 irt Klotho
Motto Jacket Blue PKR 4800 Shopper’s Island
ks Editors’ pic
e v o L Struck tique Accessories Mys PKR 1400
ey Bee Earrings Hon @sanaaziz.jewellery
ured Chok ticolo l er u PKR 5950 M www.AmnaShariff
Patli Gali M.M. Alam Rd, first left after the Zoom petrol pump, Lahore