Join us at T2F this Sunday for the launch of “Between Clay and Dust” by the acclaimed author, Musharraf Ali Farooqi.

Musharraf Ali Farooqi is an author, novelist and translator. On Sunday, May 20th, his new novel Between Clay and Dust published to critical acclaim by David Davidar’s Aleph Book Company, will be launched in Karachi. The event will feature an interactive session with the author and a book reading.

Copies of the book will be available at the event. For more information about the novel, and to read the latest reviews and author interviews, please join the Facebook page for “Between Clay and Dust”.

Farooqi’s second novel, “The Story of a Widow”, (2009) was shortlisted for the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2010. His children’s fiction includes the picture book “The Cobbler’s Holiday Or Why Ants Don’t Wear Shoes” (2008), and the collection “The Amazing Moustaches of Mocchhander the Iron Man and Other Stories” (2011). He is the author of the critically acclaimed translations of Urdu classics, “The Adventures of Amir Hamza” (2007), the first book of a projected 24-volume magical fantasy epic, “Hoshruba: The Land and the Tilsm” (2009); Urdu writer Syed Muhammad Ashraf’s novella, “The Beast” (2010), and a selection of contemporary Urdu poet Afzal Ahmed Syed’s poetry “Rococo and Other Worlds” (2010: Wesleyan University Press Poetry Series).

Musharraf Ali Farooqi can be reached at www.mafarooqi.com and on Twitter @microMAF

Date: Sunday, 20th May, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Minimum Donation: Anything you like. Please support our vision of intellectual poverty alleviation by donating generously.
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Dear Friends,

On May 15th, 2012, T2F turns 5 :)

Our very first event, on 3rd June 2007, featured a poetry reading by the late Zeeshan Sahil and it turned out to be his last public appearance. We are thrilled to announce that we have decided to celebrate our fifth birthday, and honor Zeeshan’s memory, by hosting a Mushaerah on Saturday, 19th May, featuring Pakistan’s leading Urdu poets.

The poets who will share their works at T2F’s 5th Birthday Mushaerah are:

- Ajmal Siraj
- Anwar Shaoor
- Attiya Dawood
- Iftikhar Arif
- Javaid Saba
- Rasa Chughtai
- Razi Haider
- Sahar Ansari
- Zehra Nigah

Shakil Jafri will be our host for the evening.

The last 5 years have been an incredible journey and we hope you will join us in our celebrations.

Date: Saturday, 19th May, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Minimum Donation: Anything you like. Please support our vision of intellectual poverty alleviation by donating generously.
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Thousands of people have been killed and similar numbers have been injured, displaced, arrested or have gone missing due to the conflict in Balochistan. Despite this, the province remains an enigma for most Pakistanis who do not live there. Official history books are riddled with inaccuracies, and the mainstream media rarely covers the conflict with much depth.

The aim of the Balochistan Series at T2F is to encourage open and informal dialogue about the Balochistan conflict, and especially to bring you voices that are generally not heard. Join us in our discussions with academics, activists, and journalists to get a range of views about what is happening in Balochistan.

Session 1: A Brief History of Baloch Nationalism (1920s to 2004)

Did you know that from August 11, 1947 until March 1948, Pakistan officially recognized the State of Kalat as an independent sovereign state? Did you know that TV presenter, Najam Sethi and journalist, Ahmed Rashid were among a clandestine group of students from London who joined the guerrilla movement in the mountains of Balochistan in the 1970s?

Part of the problem in any discussion about the Baloch conflict is the lack of awareness or availability of credible information on the history of the movement. In the inaugural session of this series, we will discuss the history of the Baloch nationalist movement from its inception in the 1920s up until 2004 (prior to the start of the current insurgency).

BM Kutty, a political activist from Kerala, made Pakistan his home 60 years ago. He is the general secretary of the Pakistan Peace Coalition and was political secretary to the former governor of Balochistan, Mir Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo.

Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur is a columnist for the Daily Times newspaper. He is an advocate for Baloch rights and was among those who joined the guerrilla movement during the 1973-1977 conflict.

Nazish Brohi has been working in the development sector for 14 years in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq. She has led research projects and has published on impacts of conflict; women and land politics, on various forms of violence, and on the religious right wing in Pakistan.

With our moderator, Nazish Brohi and the audience, our two guests will have an informal discussion about the rise of Baloch nationalism and the major features of its history.

Anyone interested in doing some reading ahead of the session can find links on our website at: http://www.t2f.biz/balochistan

The next three sessions of the Balochistan Series will focus on:

- Understanding the current insurgency (2004 – present)
- Women in the Balochistan conflict
- The impact of the conflict on non-Baloch citizens in Balochistan

Date: Friday, 18th May, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Minimum Donation: Anything you like. Please support our vision of intellectual poverty alleviation by donating generously.
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Join us at T2F every Wednesday for interactive sessions on Mirza Ghalib’s poetry, conducted by author and translator, Musharraf Ali Farooqi.

The poetry of Mirza Ghalib (27 December 1797 – 15 February 1869) has been considered complex, abstract and difficult to comprehend. Even for Ghalib’s contemporaries, his language and imagery presented a challenge.

A modern reader – someone reading Ghalib systematically, perhaps for the first time – may feel justified in thinking that the challenge is even greater today. Thanks to the scholars who continued to decipher and interpret Ghalib’s poetry, we now have at least 19 major interpretations which allow us to understand Ghalib’s poetry and appreciate his poetic imagination.

In each Ghalib Made Easy session, author, novelist and translator, Musharraf Ali Farooqi will explain two ghazals in simple Urdu. Designed as a conversation, participants are encouraged to discuss and comment on the ghazals being studied.

Ghalib Made Easy sessions will be held every Wednesday at T2F from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. No previous knowledge of Urdu poetry or Ghalib is necessary. Each session is self-contained and participants can join at any time. Copies of Divan-e-Ghalib will be available for purchase at T2F for Rs. 150.

Date: Wednesday, 16th May, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Minimum Donation: Rs. 200
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Join us at T2F this Sunday for an evening of dialogue with Maajid Nawaz and Amin Hashwani.

Maajid Nawaz will speak about how democratic culture, pluralism and separation of religion and politics are antidote to religious extremism plaguing Pakistani society. He will share his personal story, highlighting how extremist organizations radicalize young Muslims by using a meta-narrative based on a distorted and highly politicized interpretation of Islam.

Amin Hashwani will speak about the role of civil society in our times.

About Maajid Nawaz

Maajid Nawaz is Co-Founder and Chairman of Quilliam – a globally active think-tank focusing on matters of Integration, Citizenship & Identity, Religious Freedom, Extremism and Immigration – and Founder of Khudi, a Pakistan-based social movement campaigning to entrench democratic culture among the nation’s youth. His work is informed by years spent in his youth as a leadership member of a global Islamist group, and his gradual transformation towards liberal democratic values. Having served four years as an Amnesty International adopted ‘prisoner of conscience’ in Egypt, Maajid is now a leading critic of his former Islamist ideological dogma, while remaining a Muslim. He now encourages inclusive citizenship-based participation of Muslims in the West, while seeking to synergize a respect for human rights with the civic liberal imperative to defend those in danger of being stigmatized by extremists of all stripes due to their personal choices.

Maajid has spoken from various platforms internationally, ranging from universities across Pakistan to addressing the US Senate in Washington DC. He has been profiled by CBS 60 minutes, Larry King Live, BBC Newsnight, has spoken at the TED conference, and is regularly interviewed by prominent journalists across the world.
 
Maajid Nawaz’s autobiographical account of his life story is being published by Random House, London on July 5, 2012. He can be followed and contacted on Twitter: @maajidnawaz

About Amin Hashwani

Amin Hashwani is the Co-Chairman of the India-Pakistan CEO’s Business Forum. He runs a number of family businesses with interests in commodities, minerals, properties, and textiles. Passionate about entrepreneurship and peace, he co-founded the Peace Action Network which builds bridges around the world using business networking platforms. Amin is also involved in the Aman Ki Asha movement, which is a peace initiative between the two largest media groups of Pakistan and India. He has lead several delegations abroad, organized international events, moderated international forums, been a guest speaker at seminars in Asia, Europe and the US, and has championed social initiatives within and outside Pakistan. Amin regularly appears on the electronic media on issues ranging from geopolitics, social issues and international trade. He is the recipient of several national and international awards for his work, including an honorary doctorate from the US. 

Date: Sunday, 13th May, 2012
Time: 6:30 pm
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Come celebrate Mother’s Day at T2F this Sunday, ToffeeTV style!

Bring your children to T2F this Sunday for Arts & Crafts activities, Storytelling, and a Build-a-Song session as we pay tribute to mothers everywhere. We’ll be asking mothers and children to volunteer for various activities so be prepared to raise your hands! Fathers are most welcome to join in :)

The ToffeeTV people are collecting storybooks to give to schools who cannot afford to buy new ones and request each of you to bring along a book, or two (Urdu or English) that you would like to donate. Please contribute!

Please do not send unaccompanied young children to the venue. This is meant to be a comfortable, enjoyable, interactive family gathering.

Date: Sunday, 13th May, 2012
Time: 12:00 noon – 1:30 pm
Minimum Donation: Rs.50 [Please support our vision of intellectual poverty alleviation by donating generously]
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

This Friday, Philosophy 101 returns with a brand new session on Environmental Ethics.

Is the environment intrinsically valuable? Do we have an ethical obligation to the environment? Is “trendy environmentalism” a mistaken route? Join us at T2F for a philosophical exploration of the value and moral standing of the natural environment, its nonhuman components, and the challenge of environmental ethics.

About Philosophy 101 with Shajia Sarfraz Haroon

What is the nature of the universe? Can we really know anything? Do we have free will? How is the mind related to the body? What is the nature of morality?

Philosophy 101 is an initiative to discuss life’s questions in the hope of enjoying a stimulating philosophical argument and indulging in some mental gymnastics. It is not an attempt to seek answers to arbitrary questions or explanations of abstract problems, nor is it a promise to figure out “the meaning of life”. Philosophy 101 aims to challenge conventional beliefs through logical discussions about topics inspired by everyday curiosity. In each session, Shajia will introduce a contemporary issue under a relevant philosophical theme in ethics, epistemology, aesthetics or metaphysics. The format of the talks is interactive and informal. No prior knowledge of philosophy is needed and audience members are encouraged to participate.

Shajia Sarfraz Haroon is an independent researcher in ethics and religion. She was recently invited by the University of Cambridge and the International Society of Science and Religion to speak at the Belief in Dialogue Conference at the American University of Sharjah. Shajia is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a double major in Human Biology and Philosophy.

Date: Friday, 11th May, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Minimum Donation: Anything you like. Please support our vision of intellectual poverty alleviation by donating generously.
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Join us at T2F every Wednesday for interactive sessions on Mirza Ghalib’s poetry, conducted by author and translator, Musharraf Ali Farooqi.

The poetry of Mirza Ghalib (27 December 1797 – 15 February 1869) has been considered complex, abstract and difficult to comprehend. Even for Ghalib’s contemporaries, his language and imagery presented a challenge.

A modern reader – someone reading Ghalib systematically, perhaps for the first time – may feel justified in thinking that the challenge is even greater today. Thanks to the scholars who continued to decipher and interpret Ghalib’s poetry, we now have at least 19 major interpretations which allow us to understand Ghalib’s poetry and appreciate his poetic imagination.

In each Ghalib Made Easy session, author, novelist and translator, Musharraf Ali Farooqi will explain two ghazals in simple Urdu. Designed as a conversation, participants are encouraged to discuss and comment on the ghazals being studied.

Ghalib Made Easy sessions will be held every Wednesday at T2F from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. No previous knowledge of Urdu poetry or Ghalib is necessary. Each session is self-contained and participants can join at any time. Copies of Divan-e-Ghalib will be available for purchase at T2F for Rs. 150.

Date: Wednesday, 9th May, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Minimum Donation: Rs. 200
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Session 1: History of the Baloch Nationalist Movement (1920s to 2004)

Photo: Leading Baloch nationalist politicians gather on the balcony of the National Awami Party headquarters in Quetta awaiting the arrival of Khan Wali Khan in the 1970s. (Source)

The first discussion session in our series (on May 18) will focus on the history of Baloch nationalist movement from its beginnings in the 1920s until, but not including, the current insurgency that began around 2004.

Our guests for this session are B.M. Kutty, former political secretary to the Governor of Balochistan, and Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur, a columnist and a participant in the 1973-1977 insurgency.

Below are some readings (including one by our guest Mr Talpur) that deal with the subject.

• Memories of Another Day, Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur, Newsline, 4 June 2009
• Interview of Sher Mohammad Marri (aka General Sheroff), Pakistan Forum, May-June 1973
• The Accession of Kalat: Myth and Reality, Dushka Saiyid, Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, Autumn 2006
• Baluch Nationalism and Superpower Rivalry, Selig Harrison, International Security, Winter 1980-1981
• Knights, not Pawns: Ethno-nationalism and Regional Dynamics in Post Colonial Balochistan, Paul Titus & Nina Swidler, International Journal of Middle East Studies, 2000
• Baloch Nationalism: Its Origins and Development, Taj Mohammad Breseeg, Royal Book Company, 2004

To mark Saadat Hasan Manto’s birth centenary, Zambeel Dramatic Readings present the first of two projects this year as a tribute to one of the greatest literary figures of the subcontinent.

In 1940, Manto wrote a series of radio plays under the title “Aao”. Each play presents a delightful banter between husband and wife, Kishore and Lajwanti, and their friend Narayan. Light-hearted and animated, these lesser-known plays represent the writer in a different light.

Join us at T2F this Saturday for dramatic renditions of 3 light-hearted radio plays, penned by Manto and presented by Zambeel Dramatic Readings

1. Aao Chori Karein
2. Aao Kahani Likhein
3. Aao Taash Khaylein

Readings: Mahvash Faruqi, Saife Hasan, Asma Mundrawala and Ehteshamuddin
Direction: Asma Mundrawala

Date: Saturday, 5th May, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Entry: Rs. 200
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Join us at T2F on the first Friday of every month for an impromptu, acoustic jam session.

FF@T2F is a platform for emerging musicians to perform, improvise and experiment in an informal setting. If you love to make music, come and play. If you love listening to music, come and listen.

You don’t need to pre-register. Just show up with your instruments, your ears, and an open mind.

CityFM89 is the Exclusive Radio Media Partner for First Fridays at T2F

Date: Friday, 4th May, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Minimum Donation: Anything you like. Please support our vision of intellectual poverty alleviation by donating generously.
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Join us at T2F for an evening of conversation with Asma Ibrahim, curator of Pakistan’s only gallery dedicated to Sadequain.

Asma Ibrahim is the curator of the Sadequain Gallery at the State Bank of Pakistan Museum, Karachi. At our eighth Art Moments talk, she will share the vision of the only museum dedicated to the eminent artist. The gallery houses four of Sadequain’s rare murals and a number of of his lesser-known metal works. Besides re-locating these works, the additional challenges faced by the gallery have been conservation and the installation of this critical collection.

Asma Ibrahim will talk about Sadequain’s murals, not previously available for public viewing, and will also show rare images of Sadequain at work on State Bank commissions which played a significant role in establishing his early career.

Art Moments is a monthly event designed to discuss and discover important moments in Pakistan’s art history through talks and interviews. Curated by Niilofur Farrukh, Art Moments aims to contribute to the documentation of Pakistani art history through forgotten narratives.

Date: Thursday, 3rd May, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Minimum Donation: Anything you like. Please support our vision of intellectual poverty alleviation by donating generously.
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Join us at T2F every Wednesday for interactive sessions on Mirza Ghalib’s poetry, conducted by author and translator, Musharraf Ali Farooqi.

The poetry of Mirza Ghalib (27 December 1797 – 15 February 1869) has been considered complex, abstract and difficult to comprehend. Even for Ghalib’s contemporaries, his language and imagery presented a challenge.

A modern reader – someone reading Ghalib systematically, perhaps for the first time – may feel justified in thinking that the challenge is even greater today. Thanks to the scholars who continued to decipher and interpret Ghalib’s poetry, we now have at least 19 major interpretations which allow us to understand Ghalib’s poetry and appreciate his poetic imagination.

In each Ghalib Made Easy session, author, novelist and translator, Musharraf Ali Farooqi will explain two ghazals in simple Urdu. Designed as a conversation, participants are encouraged to discuss and comment on the ghazals being studied.

Ghalib Made Easy sessions will be held every Wednesday at T2F from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. No previous knowledge of Urdu poetry or Ghalib is necessary. Each session is self-contained and participants can join at any time. Copies of Divan-e-Ghalib will be available for purchase at T2F for Rs. 150.

Date: Wednesday, 2nd May, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Minimum Donation: Rs. 200
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

The ToffeeTV team returns to T2F this Sunday with Urdu storytelling, interactive art, and a sing-along session.

This week’s Kahaani Time features the inimitable Sania Saeed and a guest storyteller, Huzefa Ali. Talea Zafar will conduct an animation demonstration, and if we have time, we’ll wrap things up with a few sing-along ToffeeTV songs.

The ToffeeTV people are collecting storybooks to give to schools who cannot afford to buy new ones and request each of you to bring along a book, or two, that you would like to donate. Please contribute!

Who should attend?

Young children, preferably under the age of 12. Children should come with their parents, grandparents, older siblings, or guardians. Please do not send unaccompanied young children to the venue. This is meant to be a comfortable, enjoyable, interactive family gathering.

Date: Sunday, 29th April, 2012
Time: 12:00 noon – 1:30 pm
Minimum Donation: Rs.50 [Please support our vision of intellectual poverty alleviation by donating generously]
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Put yourself in the shoes of a medieval astronomer as tabla maestro and math teacher, Yousuf Kerai takes us on an intriguing and stimulating mathematical journey.

Did you ever struggle with “cos” and “tan” in math class? Did you ever wonder why or how your calculator spat out strange values when you entered a number and pressed the “sin” button? Believe it or not, the story began in ancient Greece when a few men looked up at the stars. Simultaneous star-gazing and tabular work occurred in India as well, and the works of these two cultures were taken forward by the mathematicians of the Medieval Islamic period.

The 12th-century mathematician, Ibn Yahya al-Maghribi al-Samaw’al, now better known for his algebra, wrote the extensive treatise, Exposure of the Errors of the Astronomers. This fascinating under-studied work, containing criticisms of a number of astronomers, provides an interesting study of debates over the proper practice of medieval astronomy. In particular, al-Samaw’al stresses consistency and purity of method. One of his objections is to the methods that had been used to determine the geometrically unattainable sine of one degree in Ptolemy’s Almagest as well as in later Muslim works. To avoid this seemingly unavoidable problem, al-Samaw’al presents an alternate trigonometric table.

Yousuf Kerai will present al-Samaw’al’s work by first providing a brief trigonometry lesson through the medieval context and then elucidating al-Samaw’al’s suggestions. In addition, the role of such historical contexts within the high school classroom will also be discussed.

Yousuf has promised that, unlike math class at school, you will not be bored. Bring along some blank sheets of paper, a pencil, an eraser, a clipboard, and an open mind :)

Date: Saturday, 28th April, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Minimum Donation: Anything you like. Please support our vision of intellectual poverty alleviation by donating generously.
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Join us at T2F every Wednesday for interactive sessions on Mirza Ghalib’s poetry, conducted by author and translator, Musharraf Ali Farooqi.

The poetry of Mirza Ghalib (27 December 1797 – 15 February 1869) has been considered complex, abstract and difficult to comprehend. Even for Ghalib’s contemporaries, his language and imagery presented a challenge.

A modern reader – someone reading Ghalib systematically, perhaps for the first time – may feel justified in thinking that the challenge is even greater today. Thanks to the scholars who continued to decipher and interpret Ghalib’s poetry, we now have at least 19 major interpretations which allow us to understand Ghalib’s poetry and appreciate his poetic imagination.

In each Ghalib Made Easy session, author, novelist and translator, Musharraf Ali Farooqi will explain two ghazals in simple Urdu. Designed as a conversation, participants are encouraged to discuss and comment on the ghazals being studied.

Ghalib Made Easy sessions will be held every Wednesday at T2F from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. No previous knowledge of Urdu poetry or Ghalib is necessary. Each session is self-contained and participants can join at any time. Copies of Divan-e-Ghalib will be available for purchase at T2F for Rs. 150.

Date: Wednesday, 25th April, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Minimum Donation: Rs. 200
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Bridge is an indoor card game played by four players, divided into two teams. Although played with cards, bridge has a minimal element of luck and is purely based on skill.

Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
First Class: Saturday, 28th April 2012
Course Duration: 4 weeks / 8 classes
Fee: Rs. 15,000
Skill Levels: Beginner and Intermediate
Registration: E-mail rabeea@peaceniche.org to register

Beginners: A beginner will be taught the 3 basics of the game – Bidding, Play, and Defense. After the completion of the course, beginners will be able to play bridge without assistance.

Intermediate: An intermediate player will gain a sharper understanding of the basics and will be able to apply conditional skills while playing to achieve better results.

About the Instructor

Tahir Masood is considered to be the top bridge player in the country and has represented Pakistan at national and international tournaments since he first started playing for Pakistan in 1985. Tahir earned the distinction of winning three international tournaments in the same year, and was also the youngest Life Master, the highest ranking in Pakistan.

An integral part of the Pakistan Bridge Team since 1985, Tahir is well-known within the national and international bridge fraternity and has conducted several workshops for bridge enthusiasts over the years. In 1980, Tahir authored the first book on the ACOL bidding system – a ‘must read’ for all beginners and intermediate players.

Join the Children of Tomorrow team this Saturday for an informal conversation on the state of education in developing countries and how they are attempting to bridge the illiteracy gap.

The mission of Children of Tomorrow is to enhance the cognitive and educational development of children in the developing world through the use of technology in the classroom.

The founders believe that educating children, girls in particular, can dramatically improve the socio-economic conditions of their families and communities. They equip fully operating schools in these areas with hardware and software which boosts teaching and learning processes, thereby improving study efficiency and attendance levels.

Executive Director, Lauren Yanks and CEO and Co-Founder, Tauheed Khan will talk about their initiatives, research, and experiences of using Information and Communication Technologies to create an impact on education in developing countries.

Date: Saturday, 21st April, 2012
Time: 6:30 pm
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Join us at T2F every Wednesday for interactive sessions on Mirza Ghalib’s poetry, conducted by author and translator, Musharraf Ali Farooqi.

The poetry of Mirza Ghalib (27 December 1797 – 15 February 1869) has been considered complex, abstract and difficult to comprehend. Even for Ghalib’s contemporaries, his language and imagery presented a challenge.

A modern reader – someone reading Ghalib systematically, perhaps for the first time – may feel justified in thinking that the challenge is even greater today. Thanks to the scholars who continued to decipher and interpret Ghalib’s poetry, we now have at least 19 major interpretations which allow us to understand Ghalib’s poetry and appreciate his poetic imagination.

In each Ghalib Made Easy session, author, novelist and translator, Musharraf Ali Farooqi will explain two ghazals in simple Urdu. Designed as a conversation, participants are encouraged to discuss and comment on the ghazals being studied.

Ghalib Made Easy sessions will be held every Wednesday at T2F from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. No previous knowledge of Urdu poetry or Ghalib is necessary. Each session is self-contained and participants can join at any time. Copies of Divan-e-Ghalib will be available for purchase at T2F for Rs. 150.

Date: Wednesday, 18th April, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Minimum Donation: Rs. 200
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Join us at Faraar for the Jumma Hafta Art Bazaar featuring the works of studio potters, painters, and sculptors.

The 2 day bazaar is a platform for established and emerging artists to get to know each other, interact with art enthusiasts, collectors and students, and sell their artwork in a vibrant, approachable community setting.

The Jumma Hafta Art Bazaar will also showcase The Asif Sinan Band on Friday, 13th April at 7:00 pm.

Featured Artists

- Abeer Asim
- Aliya Yousuf
- Faheem Rao
- Fatima Zaidi
- Fraz Abdul Mateen
- Khalid Zubairi
- Nabahat Lotia
- Noman Siddiqui
- Raania Azam Khan Durrani
- Salma Raza
- Sarah Bakhtiyar
- Shamira Mahpara
- Zuna Altaf

Important Notes

- Sales are on a first-come, first-served basis
- Artwork will not be reserved
- We accept cash, cheques, and credit cards

Dates: Friday, 13th April – Saturday, 14th April 2012
Time: 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: PeaceNiche >> Faraar
Address | Map

The ToffeeTV team is back with Kahaani Time featuring Sania Saeed. Sania will be joined by Mrs Parveen Kassim (Karachi High School Principal) and her theater students, and they will all present a series of fun-filled kahaanis. After the stories have been told, we will have an Arts & Crafts session where we will teach young children simple animation through ToffeeTV’s Animation Toolkit. If time permits, we’ll sing a few songs :)

Special Instructions: Wear something yellow!

Who should attend?

Young children, preferably under the age of 12. Children should come with their parents, grandparents, older siblings, or guardians. Please do not send unaccompanied young children to the venue. This is meant to be a comfortable, enjoyable, interactive family gathering.

Date: Sunday, 8th April, 2012
Time: 12:00 noon – 1:30 pm
Minimum Donation: Rs.50 [Please support our vision of intellectual poverty alleviation by donating generously]
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Join us at T2F on the first Friday of every month for an impromptu, acoustic jam session.

FF@T2F is a platform for emerging musicians to perform, improvise and experiment in an informal setting. If you love to make music, come and play. If you love listening to music, come and listen.

You don’t need to pre-register. Just show up with your instruments, your ears, and an open mind.

CityFM89 is the Exclusive Radio Media Partner for First Fridays at T2F

Date: Friday, 6th April 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Minimum Donation: Anything you like. Please support our vision of intellectual poverty alleviation by donating generously.
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Meherjaan, a feature film about a Bangladeshi woman’s love affair with a Pakistani soldier during Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence is back by popular demand. Join us at T2F this Thursday for a second screening.

During the war in 1971, Meher falls in love with a soldier from the enemy side. When her love is discovered, she is shamed and silenced by her family and society. Today, 38 years after the war, Meher has a visitor she cannot turn down. Sarah, a ‘war-child’ who was given away for adoption, has come back to piece together her past. Together, these two women must re-tell history through their stories in order to cut through the stigmas and walk into light.

“If the director’s goal was to make her audience think, to question, to re-examine, and to open up the space for a full, honest, and doubtless painful and contentious discourse of 1971, then she succeeded magnificently.” Zafar Sobhan

Director: Rubaiyat Hossain
Producer: Ashique Mostafa
Starring: Jaya Bahaduri Bachchan, Victor Banerjee, Omar Rahim
Running Time: 119 minutes

Date: Thursday, 5th April, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Minimum Donation: Anything you like. Please support our vision of intellectual poverty alleviation by donating generously.
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Join us at T2F every Wednesday for interactive sessions on Mirza Ghalib’s poetry, conducted by author and translator, Musharraf Ali Farooqi.

The poetry of Mirza Ghalib (27 December 1797 – 15 February 1869) has been considered complex, abstract and difficult to comprehend. Even for Ghalib’s contemporaries, his language and imagery presented a challenge.

A modern reader – someone reading Ghalib systematically, perhaps for the first time – may feel justified in thinking that the challenge is even greater today. Thanks to the scholars who continued to decipher and interpret Ghalib’s poetry, we now have at least 19 major interpretations which allow us to understand Ghalib’s poetry and appreciate his poetic imagination.

In each Ghalib Made Easy session, author, novelist and translator, Musharraf Ali Farooqi will explain two ghazals in simple Urdu. Designed as a conversation, participants are encouraged to discuss and comment on the ghazals being studied.

Ghalib Made Easy sessions will be held every Wednesday at T2F from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. No previous knowledge of Urdu poetry or Ghalib is necessary. Each session is self-contained and participants can join at any time. Copies of Divan-e-Ghalib will be available for purchase at T2F for Rs. 150.

Date: Wednesday, 4th April, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Minimum Donation: Rs. 200
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.

Join us at T2F for an evening of conversation with Sheherezade Alam as she traces the history of ceramic art in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s pioneer potter, Sheherezade Alam has lived, worked and exhibited in three continents. She will join us for the seventh session of Art Moments, to talk about the early days of the contemporary ceramic art movement in Pakistan and her memories of her teacher, Mian Salahuddin.

Sheherezade Alam studied at the National College of Arts, Lahore and completed her post graduate studies from the West Surrey College of Art and Design, UK. Her intimacy with clay, beginning in the early 70s, made her Pakistan’s first female studio potter and has seen her travel and work alongside some of the most acclaimed potters in Europe, Asia, USA and Canada. She pushes the boundaries of ceramics by transforming traditional forms with innovative glazing and building/throwing techniques. In 2000, Sheherezade established LAAL, an artists’ collective whose mission is to bring cultural and heritage education to young children.

“Clay chose me so that the earth could dance in my hands. I learned through this process, everything to learn that is important in life.”
Sheherezade Alam

Art Moments is a monthly event designed to discuss and discover important moments in Pakistan’s art history through talks and interviews. Curated by Niilofur Farrukh, Art Moments aims to contribute to the documentation of Pakistani art history through forgotten narratives.

Date: Friday, 30th March, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Minimum Donation: Anything you like. Please support our vision of intellectual poverty alleviation by donating generously.
Venue: PeaceNiche | T2F
Address | Map

Seats are limited and will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. No reservations.