KARACHI: Tucked away in Karachi'sKorangi Industrial Area, surrounded by factories spewing out pollutants in the metropolis's already smog-laden air, lies the Oxford University Press' (OUP) head office, where we caught up with Ameena Saiyid OBE, one the two great minds behind the city's only and much-awaited literary event – the Karachi Literature Festival (KLF).
“It’s a campaign for Pakistan to move forward,” says Saiyidwhen talking about the festival, which is in its eighth year running.
The birth of KLF
During a trip to Jaipur, India, where the managing director of OUP metvarious literary scholars at an event, she observed how people spoketo them with reverence, and promoted their works.
Saiyid then thought of Pakistani authors and intellectuals, who are no less in terms of skill and abilities. Wondering why they were not given such opportunities and determined to make them as celebrated as their counterparts in India, she chose to take an initiative.
And thus, the idea for KLF was born, in collaboration with Dr. Asif Farrukhi, who too, jumped at the idea right away.
In its debut year – March 2010, KLF attracted almost 5,000 people, something which surprised the organisers, who “were not expecting that many people to turn up.”
This weekend, the City of Lights will welcome book-lovers to the eighth KLF, which will feature several renowned speakers and multiple book launches.
With the aim to provide a platform for the nation’s literary names, alongside everyone involved in the creative arts, the event offers Karachiites the chance to indulge in literature and interact with writers and thinkers for three days.Itis free for all, and thus encourages people from all corners of the city to visit.
All are equal
A notable feature is that the literature gala doesn’t discriminate. No one is treated in a special manner, no VIP treatment is provided, and once, “[Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan politician] Nasreen Jalil sat down on the floor and enjoyed the session, since all seats were occupied,” Saiyid recounted.
It is also a platform for new and aspiring authors to put forth and expand on their ideas, as well as network with people from the industry.
“We have planned sessions on tons of topics. The theme is 'Pakistan 70', and therefore, there are talks that will focus on partition and history and how the subject should be taught in schools.”
Among the guests gracing the KLF are Urdu poet Zehra Nigah, actress Shabnam from Bangladesh, actor Nadeem, Palestinian author Laleh Khalili, eight writer and poets from India, including a Mumbai-based crime fiction novelist, and writers from11 other countries, Saiyid explained.
Changing viewpoints globally
Even with so many foreign panelists, Saiyid stressed thatthe spotlight should remain on local art and word.
While a literary festival is scheduled for May this year in London in a bid to connect more with other countries and enhance the image of Pakistan, there’s a dire need to push forward indigenous talent globally.
“We need to change the wrong viewpoints held by people around the world on Pakistan.”
Nonetheless, the scale should remain the same, the co-founder thinks. She stated that anyone who desires hosting such an event in other cities can do so by using their model, and that organisers will help them in technical aspects.
'The caravan should not stop'
Saiyid reminisced onhow the festival has played a role inexpanding the minds of young children, some of whom she has closely seen growing just because they were there at KLF.
“Last year, a child from Lyari accompanied by his father came to KLF on a Sunday, and checked out the book fair. Amazed at the display and availability of novels, he turned to his father. ‘Why are there books on a Sunday’?”
With a smile, Saiyid noted that the child was under the impression that books are to be read only during school hours. It was at the book exhibition that he realised that reading is a hobby as well.
Another kid, also from Lyari, went up to a speaker and said he wanted to learn to speak English, exactly like the speaker could.
People are learning from the event, and hope to accomplish much more than they thought they could. They are also more communicative during the sessions, asking questions and challenging concepts, among other things.
Pakistanis are finding out, albeit sluggishly, that they can think and speak for themselves. And this marks the start of progress.