THE MASTER INTERVIEWER By Altaf Khan The very edifice of broadcast journalism which Karan Thapar has demonstrated through his ruthlessness, unsparing attitude and ebullience, is shattered, as the reader moves towards the later chapters. Journalists may be the most influential personalities in the corridors of power, cut next and they will […]
By Anam Zakaria One refugee who had returned to his village in Shopian in Indian-administered Kashmir told me of the difficulties he had faced, and continues to face, there. We spoke over a WhatsApp call that got disconnected over twenty-five times during the one-hour conversation. In bits and pieces, Sayar Lone told me about […]
The ‘90 exodus of KPs from Kashmir is used to build a foundation to the victimhood narrative, according to Ahmad. Today, terms like “ethnic cleansing, genocide and holocaust” are used to demonise the Muslim community and win support of the Hindutva forces in India. Ahmad provides historical details of the enormous influence exercised by Brahmins […]
By Saba Naqvi Atal Bihari Vajpayee won the elections, but one of the planks which he had so fabulously showcased during 1999, the Kargil war, came back to haunt him. Till a few months ago, if he was seen as a man who had won a round against Pakistan, he was rather quickly accused of […]
By Ajaz Baba A visit to Kashmir at the turn of the 19th century along with ‘The last imperial adventurer’ and an ‘Artist Major of the (British) Indian army’ At the turn of the 19th century, a British major who happened to be a painter persuaded his comrade-in-arms and a fellow countryman to add descriptions […]
By Murtaza Shibli Mohammad Zahid’s poems in The Pheromone Trail (published: 2013) offer a brilliant insight into his world. Being a Kashmiri, born and brought up in the political strife that is strewn with unending violence, Zahid’s verses reflect his lived experiences and the torment of his soul. Many of the titles of his rhymes […]
Parvaaz — an indie-rock quartet comprising of members Khalid Ahmad, Mir Kashif Iqbal, Sachin Banandar and Fidel Desouza — arrived on the scene in the fall of 2010, letting their infectious melodies laced with Urdu and Kashmiri poetry, and a progressively dreamy sound to do the talking. And it worked. Seven years later, Parvaaz is […]
What is the origin of language? This is the first thing I was asked by a teacher during my first class at Kashmir University. I could feel my heart racing like a frightened rabbit. Over the past five years, I had studied Commerce and did not have much comprehension of Social Science questions. I dissolved […]
Mir Khalid’s Jaffna Street is Srinagar’s downtown of our imagination, people’s stories, and ravages of war In the hot and humid month of June 2017, I got a signed copy of Jaffna Street from its author Mir Khalid while sipping Cappuccino in one of the cafés in Srinagar located on the Jhelum embankment. Unsurprisingly, we […]
Modern History of Kashmir is a gory tale of pain and agony. It symbolizes subjugation, oppression and occupation. However, Kashmiri Muslims never surrendered before the occupation. They resisted illegal Dogra and Indian rule over Kashmir and did not hesitate to pick up arms to break the shackles of slavery. Since 1947, apart from resistance on […]