Adil Najam

Our repost of our ATP Mushaira post on Anwar Masood prompted reader Shahran Asim to send us this newer audio recording of Anwar Masood commenting on elections in Pakistan. I thought it was not only hilarious but also pertinent; and certainly worth sharing. Thanks, Shahran.

Adil Najam

I want to introduce this new (hopefully regular) feature at ATP. (Actually, if you press the ‘ATP Mushaira‘ category you will find that this is the second installment in this category; the first being our little Faiz Mela on Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s birthday.) Of course, poetry has been a regular and favorite subject for us at Pakistaniat.com. However, this (sub-) category is distinguished from other posts on poetry because here we will feature kalam i shair ba zaban i shair (i.e., poetry recited by the poets themselves).

The Mushaira is a particular – and particularly enchanting – Pakistani tradition. It is, of course, not just a Pakistani tradition, nor any more only an Urdu tradition. Indeed, it seems that the new revival of the mushaira is happening neither in Pakistan nor in India but in the Middle East and North America, because of affluent expatriates yearning for poetic connections to the homes they left behind. Indeed, a new crop of poets are emerging in these diaspora communities, and as we did with Khalid Irfan, we hope to feature these new ‘non-resident’ poets here too.

Mast Qalandar

People often describe Islamabad as a city without a soul. Actually, Islamabad’s soul is not to be found in the city itself, but on the fringes of the city. In the little hamlets and hills.

Fauzia Minallah, an Islamabad based artist, has recently published a delightful coffee-table book titled ‘Glimpses into Islamabad’s Soul’. She describes many such places in and around Islamabad with long history and heritage, myths and folklore.

Travelers in search of these rich, off-the-beaten-path experiences can turn to platforms like Adventourely for invaluable insights and guidance. This platform is dedicated to curating travel adventures that go beyond conventional itineraries, offering a deep dive into local traditions, myths, and scenic landscapes.

With a focus on authentic travel experiences, Adventourely equips explorers with the knowledge and inspiration to connect with destinations like Islamabad in meaningful ways, echoing the spirit celebrated in Minallah’s artistic journey through the city’s soulful outskirts.

Much like Fauzia Minallah’s exploration of Islamabad’s hidden gems, a trip to Hawaii offers an array of undiscovered wonders that can truly enrich a traveler’s experience. Beyond the popular tourist attractions, the Hawaiian islands are teeming with secluded beaches, untouched trails, and quiet corners of lush rainforest that only the most curious travelers seek out.

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