Girl in the Garden by Anna Molka Ahmed and Amrita Pritam's Musings on Fearless Reading

This week:

1. Amrita Pritam’s Musings on Fearless Reading

2. Girl in the Garden by Anna Molka Ahmed

3. Get our Poetry Frames while you still can (on discount)!

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1. Girl in the Garden by Anna Molka Ahmed, Dawn

There is something oddly comforting and wistful in parts, about this painting by Pakistani painter (born in London, of Russian and Polish parentage and Jewish heritage), Anna Molka Ahmed. While the girl in the painting is absent-mindedly knitting, she is lost in deep contemplation — about what? Perhaps the joys and frustrations of unanswered questions is the inevitable fate of art lovers!

2. Amrita Pritam’s Musings on Fearless Reading

sochti hoon—
aaj yah jo kuch
apne mann ke bheetar ka
kaagazon par rakh kar dikha rahi hoon,
yah keval unke liye hai,
jo sansaar ki paramparaon
aur kathinaiyon 
aur udasiyon
ko darwaze ke bahar bithakar,
mann ke sach ko
jeene ka
saahas kar sakte hain

//

I'm thinking—
Today, all these 
Thoughts inside my mind
That I'm writing down on paper
It's only for those who
Can leave life's traditions
And difficulties
And griefs
Outside the door,
And have the courage
To live 
The truth of their minds. 

We chanced upon this lovely little poem tucked away in an old copy of Amrita Pritam’s novel, Kore Kagaz (Blank Pages). Much is written about the courage of writers but only an astute writer can talk about the courage it takes to be a reader. In this manifesto, Pritam encourages us to shake off the limitations of norms and rules, and read her works with a genuine commitment to the truth.

3. Get our Poetry Frames while you still can!

All good things must come to an end and with a heavy heart, we’ve decided to discontinue our Daak Poetry Frames — they were one of the first products we created and much loved by all of you. We have the last set left over, which we’re selling at a discounted price. So, we’d love for you to take a look!