Written by: Mahnaz Shujrah
Posted on: February 25, 2020 | 
| 中文
Alhamra Arts Council During LLF
The eight iteration of the Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) took place last weekend from 21st February to 23rd February, at Alhamra Arts Center, Mall Road. The event had many thought-provoking sessions and book launches lined up, along with a Qawwali and a play by Sangat Productions. Audiences of all ages and segments of society were present during the jam-pack sessions (more for the English and less for the Urdu sessions), and the long list of intellectuals and celebrity panelists made the event exciting for everyone, not just literary enthusiasts. Below are some of the highlights from the weekend selected from the diverse range of discussions:
A Qawwal Taking Place at Alhamra Arts Council (photo credits to Destinationspk)
Adrian Hayes Book Signing Sessions (photo credits to Adrian Hayes on instagram)
Adrian Hayes's new book launched at the LLF and his discussion simply inspired the audience. An adventurer since he was sixteen, Hayes has been to the North Pole, the South Pole, crossed the Arabian Desert and climbed Mount Everest. Hayes, a British national, has been a speaker, leadership trainer, and writer.
Among all his accomplishments, the most difficult and rewarding was climbing K2, the second-highest mountain in the world. He explained how 7000 people have summited Mount Everest, while only 400 have successfully scaled K2. “For every four in history who reached the top, one has died trying. That’s a 25% summit-to-death ratio.”
Given the high risk, this journey was not unlike a suicide mission. However, this is where he emphasized the role of teamwork and will power. For him, it is not about the five minutes at the top of the mountain, but rather the challenge that nature poses in freezing temperatures and physical endurance that is tested on the way to the top. Two of his friends died in this endeavor, and one of the friend’s children inspired Hayes to pen down his thoughts in the form of this book.
He concluded by restating how the feeling one has during such a journey is not one that can be captured in a picture or on social media. It’s a journey that brings oneself closer to existence. The highlight of the talk was the few questions raised by children in the audience, showing how adventure connects people across all ages.
Of Princes and Patronage Panel (photo credits to Destinationspk)
This session was a must-attend for art lovers and history enthusiasts. The discussion was moderated by art-historian and author, F.S Aijazuddin. The panelists included three Mughal scholars, Audrey Truschke, Mehreen Chida-Razvi, and William Dalrymple, each of whom are very passionate about their fields of study.
This talk took a deeper look at art during the Mughal period, and how it is a valuable source in understanding both the art, its patron, and the society of the time. Each of the Mughal emperors after Akbar, used miniature paintings for a different purpose. For example, Chida-Razvi explained how Jahangir’s style was a break from the paintings that Akbar commissioned. While Akbar often focused on the narrative, Jahangir brought the attention to himself. She shared an image, in which the emperor is seated wearing jeweled clothes, and while centered in the frame as the only figure in the painting. Jahangir was also known for his inquisitive mind and a keen eye; it is said he could tell apart the strokes of each artist, if a painting had been worked on by several hands.
Lastly, the session was concluded by each of the panelists sharing their favorite works of art of the Mughal period. Truschke shared a manuscript, which translated the Mahabharta into Persian, explaining how more Hindus could read Persian than Sanskrit in Mughal India. With the nations becoming increasingly polarized in today’s world, art provides a middle ground, because it reveals how there are similarities and overlaps in cultures and traditions than differences.
Terror in Kashmir Talk (photo credits to Dawn)
Events like LLF also serve as a platform for individuals to engage in discussions regarding vital contemporary issues. The issue of Kashmir is not new, but over the decades it has come to play a vital role in global politics. The panel consisted of Nitasha Kaul, a West-based academic and writer of Kashmiri origin, who emphasized how the debates must move beyond personalized narratives, because they turn the conflict into a “discourse of competing narratives”. She pointed out the flaws in both Pakistan and India’s recent policies towards Kashmir and repeatedly brought attention back to Kashmiri people and history which existed without the influence of either Pakistan or India. She even suggested the idea of a small, independent state for Kashmir, as many smaller states have proven to be (relatively) more politically stable.
The second panelist Arif Nizami, is a journalist, ex-editor of The Nation and founder of Pakistan Today. He spoke about how multiple methods have been tried and failed to resolve the issue, and the blocked access of Indian sites in Pakistan is not helping the proliferation of important information on Kashmir.
The discussion, moderated by Khaled Ahmed, who highlighted that despite the recent violation of human rights, the international leaders and community remain silent. Both Kaul and Nizami agreed that economic reality plays an increasingly greater role in politics today, whether it’s India’s dense interlinkages with US and China, or Pakistan’s inability to sustain a costly, long-term war with India over Kashmir.
Throughout the discussion, Kaul also focused on the fact that a “people-centered approach” is essential. One cannot aim to find a resolution to the Kashmir issue without the consent and participation of the Kashmiris, as opposed to the competing nationalisms which seek Kashmir as a prize to trump the enemy. The people on the ground will have to be heard for the kind of government they want, and both sides of the border should accept a parlay regardless of their actions within the Kashmiri state.
In this regard, it would have been interesting to hear the perspective of Mishal Malik, a Kashmiri activist, but unfortunately, she could not make it for the session. In the end, it was established that with the current world order today, one cannot wait for a leader or third party to resolve this. The resistance must come from the people on the ground; the civil society, particularly within Pakistan and India, to realize their power, and their responsibility in raising awareness on the Kashmir conflict.
55 Lawrence Road Panel (photo credits to the writer)
Centered on Lahore of the early 20th Century, the talk was moderated by architect Nayyar Ali Dada. The main presenter, Hazel Kahan, was born to Jewish parents who came to Lahore as refugees during the Second World War. Her family was detained in camps along with other Germans and Europeans until the war was over. After Partition, they moved to Lahore where her parents, who were qualified doctors, set up their medical practice. Their residence became 55 Lawrence Road, located at one of the most well-known areas of the city.
Kahan talked about her childhood in this beloved home, where her mother planted rose gardens, and the working staff was like their family. The audience was captivated by her priceless and deeply personal photos, showcasing her family’s time in Lahore. Her family gradually moved out of Pakistan and her parents are buried in Jerusalem. As for Kahan, she came back to Lahore after 40 years to find her home because, “Lahore felt closest to what home was.”
Shireen Pasha, a well-known documentary filmmaker and writer, shared her passion for real stories, and she met with Kahan to capture the Lahore of the 1940’s. Aliya Naseer Farooq is a writer, and educationist based in Islamabad, who met with and joined both women for their projects. She will collaborate with them for her book, which focuses on the stories, struggle and strength of six different women from Lahore, as a tribute to the women of this unique city.
LLF has continued to host multiple interesting and diverse talks and discussions on topics that are of interest in our social milieu.
A Packed Auditorium for LLF (photo credits to LLF)
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