Tuesday 31 March 2015

Lahore Music Meet wins with inclusive marketing campaign


 This spring feels like it's been a season of festivals, with exciting gatherings happening across Pakistan.
The Lahore Literature Festival recently took the cultural capital by storm, and Karachi saw its own literature festival as well as a fun food festival. It only makes sense that music was next on the agenda, and the Lahore Music Meetaims to fill that gap.
Lahore Music Meet, set for April 4th and 5th, promises to be a great way to give musicians a platform. But something else about the forum caught our eye: its unique, bilingual marketing campaign.
 LLM promotes itself and its performers in both English and Urdu, with equal weight given to both languages. It's a thoughtful move one doesn't see very often.

LLM founder Natasha Noorani explains how this awareness took root: "I can't take credit for it wholly. Anjum Altaf, former Dean at the Lahore University of Management Sciences, suggested we market the music meet giving equal weight to both languages."
"Our patrons suggested we reach out to every demographic... even more so because music is universal, its not about languages."
"Even our talks are going to be in a mix of languages, some in English, in Urdu and Punjabi. In our Urdu campaign the event is called Lahore Mehfil-e-Moseequi," she added.
LMM's full schedule will be released soon.

Sunday 29 March 2015

All that glitters


 KARACHI: There are bridal wear markets all over the city, in such places as Clifton, Gizri, Tariq Road, Hyderi and Paposh Nagar. Still when it comes to shopping for such things, most people head to Jama Cloth Market, or Eidgah Market, as it is popularly known, on M.A. Jinnah Road.
The market got its name from the Jama Masjid near it. Earlier, there was a ground here that was used for Eid prayers, but the market now takes up most of that space leave just a little piece of the ground behind it. Still, for shoppers at the market it seems like Eid shopping whenever they are there.
Not just shalwar suits, there are gharara, sharara, sarees, dresses for children and sherwani with embroidered collars, etc, also available. Then you can get a load of accessories such as borders, laces, just embroidered necks with sleeve borders to sew on to a shirt, tassels to use in place of buttons, bangles, cosmetics, shoes and sandals and whatnot?
“Things are so reasonably priced, the main reason behind everyone’s wanting to shop here, and yet the customer is never satisfied, or pretends to be,” says Moonis Iqbal, who runs a shop near one of the many entrances to the market with his father, Iqbal Ahmed. 

 “People come here with bargaining in mind. They just don’t know when to stop,” the young shopkeeper says, smiling. “Matching this with that is another issue with women. Some also try to drag their poor husbands into all of it, but the poor fellows are as out of it as we when dealing with women.”
The neck and sleeve border embroidery has been done in different mediums. Some have zardozi work, some beads, mirror work and diamanté and all very pretty and exquisite. Their prices range from Rs300 to Rs1,000. But do they lose their shine with time, would they turn grey or black? Most shopkeepers quickly shake their heads while others slowly nod. There are also rolls of laces made specially to match the seasonal prints, for Rs80 a metre to Rs300.
Prices of embroidered suits and other dresses begin at Rs1,400 and go up to Rs35,000. “It all depends on the embroidery and other glitter work on it,” says Mohammad Atta, who has had a shop in the area since 1978.
The market also has tailoring shops. “Some tailors charge as low as Rs800, some as high as Rs4,000 for stitching a suit. There it is all about the tailor’s talent,” says Faraz Ahmed.
Among the embroidered suits, the most popular are the traditional Balochi ones for women with a big pocket at the front of the shirt and lots of embroidery and mirror work on it. Nafis Hassan, who sells these dresses at the market, says that they are also liked and bought by others besides Baloch women. “Some 40 years ago, these dresses were made to order only. But now we have so many already done suit pieces and ready-made dresses, too. We have Balochi dresses made from Georgette, Banarasi and silk material also,” he says. The price range lies between Rs2,500 and Rs50,000.
But the cutest dresses in the entire market are those for little boys and girls. Heavy sherwani for two-year-olds and little gharara or ghagra for the little dolls. But don’t the little ones feel uneasy wearing all that? “Well, since it’s all party-wear stuff, the kids can tolerate it for a couple of hours. Then we use soft lining as well. Another thing mothers of little children do is carry an extra more comfortable outfit with them, something their kids can change into during long weddings,” explains Syed Mohsin Ali, who sells children’s clothes there.
Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2015

Friday 27 March 2015

Zindagi Gulzar Hai

Zindagi Gulzar Hai


Zindagi Gulzar Hai was a Pakistani serial, directed by Sultana Siddiqui and produced by Momina Duraid of Moomal Productions, which was broadcast on Hum TV. Based on a novel of the same name, written by Umera Ahmad, it premiered on 30 November 2012. It is the second highest-rated Pakistani television series. The serial was aired on Fridays, at 8:00 pm. The final episode was broadcast in late May 2013.The story revolves around two persons, extremely opposite in thought and financial status. The Girl lives a tough life with no luxury and fun and faces problems that are usually faced by the lower middle class. She has average looks but possesses a very strong character. She detests using unfair means for acquiring anything in life. But due to her hard life, she thinks that Allah does not love her. On the other hand, the Boy has strong family background, is flirty and good looking. He forgets Allah while living luxurious life. But on entering practical life, he realizes that deep down, he himself is a conservative person.
Broadcasting
Zindagi Gulzar Hai also aired in various other countries including eleven Arabic countries, Europe and India. It premiered on the MBC Group on January 2014 in eleven Arabic countries, Hum TV on March 2014 in Europe, and Zindagi on 23 June 2014.Its last episode was broadcast on 18 July 2014.
The story revolves around the lives of Kashaf Murtaza (Sanam Saeed) and Zaroon Junaid (Fawad Afzal Khan), who are poles apart. Kashaf, a very sensible and matured girl, comes from a middle-class family background and lives with her mother Rafia (Samina Peerzada) and her two sisters, Sidra (Mansha Pasha) and Shehnila (Sana Sarfaraz). Rafia had separated from her husband, Murtaza, (Waseem Abbas) because she didn't fulfill his desire of having a son. As a result, he married another woman, who did eventually give birth to his son.
Rafia works as the principal of a government school and also gives tuitions to children during the evenings. Kashaf, her eldest daughter, gets admission in a well-known university, where she eventually meets Zaroon, who happens to come from a very rich family. However, they don't get along well with each other. Zaroon's jealousy for Kashaf emerges from the fact that Kashaf had done better than him in studies. Zaroon, in his school days, had always remained the best. As a result of his envy he ends up having arguments and fights with her. However, later Zaroon's tries to patch up with her but his attempts are repeatedly turned down.
Zaroon's family consists of his laid-back and patient father; an independent, but workaholic, and somewhat arrogant mother - who doesn't give much time to her family - and his sister Sara (Ayesha Omar), who is just like her mother.
Zaroon's circle of friends consists of Asmara (Mehreen Raheel), Osama (Shehryar Munawar Siddiqui) and Ishrat (Sanam Baloch). Whereas Kashaf is befriended by Maria despite of her unfriendly nature.
Television Rating Points (TRPs)
Zindagi Gulzar Hai started off very well than averaging 6.4 TRPs but after the climax episode i.e. EP. 7, ratings increased dramatically averaging and topping the charts every week. Then after the marriage of the protagonists, ratings started to further increase and now Zindagi Gulzar Hai averages 6+ TRPs with 6.6 TRPs as maximum until now. But from 3 May 2013 Zindagi Gulzar Hai achieved 8.7 trp as declared by Hum TV. Many say that it will make a new record when its last episode will air. And it did by reaching a point till 9.5. It is the second highest-rated Pakistani television series.

Awards

Year
Award
Category
Result
2014
Best Television Actor - Satellite to Fawad Khan
Won
2014
Best Television Actress - Satellite to Sanam Saeed
Won
2013
Best Original Soundtrack Zindagi Gulzar Hai to Ali Zafar
Won
2014
Best Television Director to Sultana Siddiqui
Nominated
2014
Best Television Writer to Umera Ahmed
Nominated
2014
Best Drama of the year 2013 Zindagi Gulzar Hai
Won
2014
Best Director to Sultana Siddiqui
Won
2014
Best Writer to Umera Ahmed
Won
2014
Best Director Drama Serial to Momina Duraid
Won
2014
Best Drama Serial to Sultana Siddiqui
Won
2014
Best Supporting Actress to Samina Peerzada
Won
2014
Best Writer Drama Serial to Umera Ahmed
Won
2014
Best Onscreen Couple to Fawad Afzal Khan and Sanam Saeed
Won
2014
Best Drama Serial Viewers Choice to Momina Duraid
Won
2014
Best Onscreen Couple Viewers Choice to Fawad Afzal Khan and Sanam Saeed
Won
2014
Best Actor Viewers Choice to Fawad Afzal Khan
Won
2014
Best Actress Viewers Choice to Sanam Saeed
Won
2014
Won
2014
Best Actress to Sanam Saeed
Won


Thursday 26 March 2015

Ho Mann Jahan — the next big thing in Pak cinema is coming soon


 Tired of na maloom afrad and saucy jalaibees? Next on the agenda for Pakistani cinema is the 'feel good' film Ho Mann Jahan, a coming-of-age drama about three university friends directed by Asim Raza.
The film stars Mahira Khan, Adeel Hussain and Shehryar Munawar in lead roles and includes notable names like Arshad Mehmood, Bushra Ansari, Nimra Bucha, Sonya Jehan, Jamal Shah and Munawar Siddiqui.
 The film is 95% completed and it is hoped that it would see a release on Eidul Azha.
At a pre-release event hosted by Khalid Malik at Karachi's Frere Hall, the cast and crew came together to offer up a sneak peek of what's in store. Watch the trailer below.
Why should we watch Ho Mann Jahan?
  • A fab cast: Mahira Khan, Adeel Hussain and Shehryar Munawar
  • A soundtrack featuring the likes of Atif Aslam, Tina Sani, Zeb and Haniya and Jimmy Khan
  • Outfits designed by Feeha Jamshed and Ismail Fareed and Umar Sayeed
  • A relatable, no-frills story about a group of friends trying to follow their dreams
 A tale of a pre-release meet:
Sporting a mustache Shehryar Munawar, who is also co-producing the film, could be seen milling around before the event began, visibly nervous. A casually dressed, Arshad Mehmood, who plays the father of one of the three lead characters, had also arrived earlier than the rest of the lot.
Cameras began to flash soon as the ever gorgeous Mahira Khan made her way to the red carpet, wearing a red skirt by Elan paired with a black T-shirt that read: ‘Forget the dress code’.
 Accompanying her as she walked in were none other than the leading actors of HMJ— suited to the nines — the dashing Adeel Hussain and the charming Shehryar Munawar, who looked much more controlled now.
The film follows the story of three friends who are passionate about music and who discover themselves in their journey together. While Manizeh (Mahira) plays the vocalist, Nadir (Adeel Hussain) plays the drummer and Arhaan (Shehryar Munawar) plays the guitarist.
The cast talks character:
Although the cast wasn’t willing to give away too much, Mahira described her character Manizeh as ‘today's girl’ who is confident and has been brought up in a liberal atmosphere by a single mother. When pressed to speak about her big Bollywood venture alongside Shahrukh Khan in Raees the actor said that it was a great industry and she believed she had to be part of her own as well. She added that even if the role wasn’t a leading one, she couldn’t have said no to the director, Asim, for his first feature film.
“I had earlier thought the role would be easy because I could easily relate to Manizeh but it was later I realised that it wasn’t so. I had been doing certain kinds of roles so I had to break away from them.”
Shehryar Munawar who plays Arhaan said, “Arhaan is a bit of a rebel hailing from the lower-middle class, and his parents’ hopes are pinned on him. He is a carefree guy jisko sab kuch chahye bohat thoray se time me — like many other young people out there. Before HMJ, I wasn’t entirely gone from the scene but have been acting as assistant director to Asim.”
 The ever composed Adeel Hussain, who has made a name for himself after appearing in dramas like Daam, Mata-e-Jaan and recently, Jackson Heightsplays an only child from the upper-middle class.
“It’s a heartfelt tale and our experience was absolutely wonderful, we were in very good hands. Plus after working in dramas, I got that experience which finally came to play on the set. I have done my best and I would like people to know that once they see the film,” he said.
Adeel also added that the film began shooting as soon as he finished Jackson Heights and that although it wasn’t for him to leap from one character to the other, the immense support made it all possible.
Nimra Bucha, who plays Manizeh's mother, said the film dealt with society's extremes:
“I am an artist, a single mother who has parted ways with her husband because of these reasons. She is open-minded and strikes a balance as it is her house, the friends jam. HMJ explores the conventional mindset of our society as well as ways to change that.”
Being a film about the contemporary urban lifestyle, fashion plays an integral role in the film. Feeha Jamshed, Ismail Fareed and Umar Sayeed designed the film's costumes.
With the public always drawing parallels with Bollywood, Asim Raza was straightforward when he said that the film will make a place of its own.
The film will also not have any ‘item-number’ because it wasn’t needed by the film but it’d have a ‘shaadi-number’.
Talking about the story and title, Asim Raza said there were two meanings ofHo Mann Jahan: ‘where my heart lies’ and ‘may my heart be my universe.’
A sound for sore ears:
There hasn’t been a film in the longest time which could boast a spectacular soundtrack. HMJ should change this.
The film will feature have nine tracks which are a collaboration of none other than the best musicians of the country with likes of: Atif Aslam, Tina Sani, Zeb and Haniya, Faakhir Mehmood, Abu Muhammad and Fareed Ayaz, Jimmy Khan, Asrar and Mai Dhai band.
The chemistry between the three stars was apparent as they high-fived and winked at each other during the press conference. Judging by their enthusiasm for the project, this is one to watch out for.