“Although he was criticized for his controversial texts, Manto raised awareness about psychological trauma and suffering while also condemning social hypocrisy regarding artistic freedom and the affliction of the marginalized community of the society.” Saadat Hasan Manto, infamous for his short stories, is an eminent writer and playwright of Urdu Literature. His short stories, some…
How to Overcome a Creative Block
Writer’s and artist’s block is a common phenomenon that many creative individuals face at various points in their careers. It can manifest as a complete inability to create, a lack of inspiration, or a feeling of self-doubt regarding one’s work. Understanding the causes of this block and exploring effective strategies to overcome it can help…
Social Media and Literature: A New Spectrum of Contemporary Engagement
The advent of social media has irrevocably transformed the landscape of human interaction, communication, and information dissemination, and one of its most profound impacts has been on the realm of literature. Traditionally, the relationship between author and reader was mediated through the printed page, a static and unidirectional mode of engagement. However, social media’s dynamic…
Leonardo da Vinci
“His intricate depiction of naturalistic observations – focused on harmony and balance – exemplify High Renaissance ideals of human form, composition, and proportion..” Known for his prolific contributions to the fields of art, science, anatomy, and engineering to mention a few, Leonardo da Vinci stands as one of the most iconic Italian polymaths to exist…
Brushstrokes and Word Crafting
All around the world artists and writers adopt various techniques to express their creativity in a meaningful manner. Whether it’s a painter looking to attain a fresh perspective or a writer seeking to unlock diverse layers of narrative, techniques pertaining to both disciplines play an integral part in the formation of the respective crafts. Emerging…
Post-Colonial Literature: A Step Towards Navigating Self-hood
Postcolonial literature addresses the issues of formerly colonized nations and often focuses on the deterioration of culture, history, and identity within such nations while also talking about socio-political instability occurring as a result of colonialism in such regions. This area of literature encompasses works from diverse regions ranging from Africa, South Asia, the Caribbean, highlighting…
Faiz Ahmad Faiz
“His work challenges the dictatorship of the ruling class by often expressing greater concern for the poor whilst also criticizing the latter for their indifference towards their lamentable lifestyle. ” Known for his progressive and insistent Marxist views concerning the socio-political dynamic of Pakistan, Faiz’s poetry posits a rebuttal to the conniving façade of the…
Lahore: A Book Lover’s Sanctuary
“Lahore, a city steeped in history and culture, is also a haven for book lovers”
Pablo Picasso
“His work reminds us of the boundless possibilities that lie within one’s imagination and how these possibilities can be used to transform the very meaning of art.” Pablo Picasso is one of the most celebrated and renowned Spanish artists of the 20th century. His genius transcends the stereotypical boundaries associated with the definition of art….
Beyond Worthy by Hibah Abid
– published in babel. – volume 2 Honorary mention ARPA 2024 Cottonmouth and velvet all over.Thorns and twigs growing on my shoulder.Where is the luck of the Irish; four-leaf clover?My mind wanders in situations created with fears and what-ifs, faking the adventure like a rover. Scarlet lip stains but not yet on the knife.The filter…
A Prelude to Sanity by Saud Maroof Lakhani
– published in babel. – volume 2 Winner of ARPA 2024 A Prelude to SanityDark bark – the tree of life.I shall pluck off its stem of solitude,And eat its fruit of melancholia.Tender pale sap of tomorrow’s haunted memories –I shall drink its forlorn guilt,And pull at its root, rich with depression.Vivid blossoms – the…
Unheld Echoes by Mariam Ata ur Rehman
– published in babel. – volume 2 Honorary mention of ARPA 2024 In shadows cast by fleeting time’s cruel hand, I dance with fragments of a goddess fair, Her essence, like a whisper in the wind, A wisp of beauty beyond compare. My heart, a prisoner to her distant light, A flame that burns with…
Missing Report by Haris Nazir
“It must be noted that there was no flickering in the basement, just a pitch-black room without a light source.“
Compulsions or Convulsions by Ibtesam Ahmed
“Tethered to the days, the soul blooms uneasy.“
Hope in 21st Century by Sara Amir
“Minds are astray, hearts are perplexed, and there is no light of hope left.“
Aanchal Malhotra
“We all know how unreliable memory can be, how transient reminiscences are, and how inaccessible the past will always remain. Experiences can never be duplicated or revived…by those who took no part in the struggle.” An oral historian and writer, Aanchal Malhotra delves into the latent themes and incidents of the 1947 Partition of the…
Claude Monet
“He wasn’t merely interested in depicting landscapes; he sought to translate the ever-changing play of light and shadow into a symphony of colour and form.” Revered as the father of Impressionism, Claude Monet occupies a pivotal position within the history of the movement, renowned for his mastery of light and his ability to capture fleeting…