Of all the tragedies of romantic love that are part of the Punjabi and Sindhi oral tradition, the tale of Sohni Mahiwal stands out due to the very physicality of its central metaphor, a woman swimming a river every night on only a pot made of clay in order to meet her beloved. It is … Read more
In relation to the romantic tragedies found in Punjabi folklore, there is one that stands out for its longevity. Unlike other tales that change with trends, the story of Sassi Pannu has been passed down through many generations in the form of songs, poems, and even conversation. This is not necessarily because of an official … Read more
Of the seven queenly figures that appear in Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s Shah Jo Risalo, Umar Marvi holds a unique position, not simply as a love story but as a timeless allegory of loyalty, patriotism, and virtue. Written in the eighteenth century, this story is now more than literature as it continues to serve as … Read more
Pakistani designs and ideas have been part of Western luxury brands for decades now. From high fashion runways to high street stores, elements of Pakistani craftsmanship quietly appear in collections worldwide; sometimes credited, often unrecognized. The question isn’t whether Western designers find inspiration in Pakistani culture. They do. The question is how that inspiration is … Read more
Shandur Polo Ground, located between Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral in Northern Pakistan, holds a world record that few know exists. It is the highest polo ground in the world. Perched at 12,500 feet above sea level in the heart of the Hindukush Mountains, this remarkable Pakistani achievement represents the world’s highest polo playing field—a distinction unmatched … Read more
Every time you slip into your pyjamas, complain about a long day battling the jungle of city traffic, or sink into a cushy armchair, you are speaking a little bit of Urdu and you almost certainly never knew it. Urdu is the national language of Pakistan and one of the most expressive and beloved languages … Read more
Long before Oxford was founded in the 11th century, and centuries before Harvard was chartered in the New World, a thriving intellectual capital was already shaping the course of human civilization in the northwestern valleys of what is today Pakistan. A City Before Its Time Known natively as Takshashila that means “City of Cut Stone”- Taxila was … Read more
With the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan all facing extreme heat this Eid al Adha, here is how to dress festive and stay cool. Eid al Adha falls on May 27 this year, landing right in the hottest stretch of the year for much of the Muslim world. That changes the brief. Let’s be real, … Read more
The Day of Arafah is considered one of the most important and spiritually significant days in Islam. It falls on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar, and comes just before Eid al-Adha. For Muslims performing Hajj, it is the day they gather at the plain of Arafat near … Read more