The Dream

Zeejah

Your story was well crafted and full of intensity :intensity of emotions, intensity of frustated dreams, a hysterical satire at the barbaric customs of a society that sent shudders down my spine. A good piece of work.

Cheers

temporal?: thought this was more of a paki tradition than islamic. i read somewhere that a wife of the prophet proposed marriage to him before he did.

u`d never see that in pakistan today .

not overestimating chowkian logic though - especially of those who quote the fair rhymes of `des`ree` !

`spose i`ll join u then.

``I don`t wanna see a ghost

It`s the sight that I fear most

I`d rather have a piece of toast

Watch the evening news

life ooooh life ooooooooooooooooooh life

doo doo do do.``

fantastic ;)

I reckon Zeenat is an excellent writer...Her contributions to chowk are noteworthy. We must not get carried away in criticising this piece. In my view, Zeejah is one of the best in business...

let me just add that while the topic is credit worthy and deserves a platform - i find critical appraisal of the article scant among the replies.

the fact is, the piece is cliche ridden and can become a vehicle for loony leftees.

it bears as much depth as some novelly titled bollywood film like `ishq` or something - and the many scipt permutations they offer.

beautiful young working girl - soon to be medical student drugged into marrying delinquent scar faced villager. who then rapes her. then she kills him.

i can`t really see this developed into palm d`ors material.

(apologies to the author though, it ain`t that bad - just find the replies too passive)

seeya

Zeejah`s writing was excellent. It was just depressing, but that`s alright. Not all stories have to be sugar coated.

By the way sadna, you mentioned making movies?

Pakistani dramas are really excellent when it comes to social issues. Why don`t you watch some.

Don`t look for nonsense songs though ;)

You`ll be disappointed.

Zahra don`t be so harsh :)

scout #21

Don`t take this personally, but I used to watch Pakistani dramas with interest and enjoyment, but the weird thing is, after being aroud chowk, I just haven`t been able summon up the enthu. But do recommend some good ones, I will be interested in looking them up.

Sadhana

A sad story. Surreal. Heard this story before in the form of an urban legend (A friend was told by a friend of a friend of a...of a friend who had this daughter who....). But never quite so powerfully.

But, I am moved to say that, in my opinion, it suffered from one serious shortcoming. Perhaps I`m being a tad oversensitive, but what I read was a very disgusting denomination of the mentally ill and handicapped.

Unintentional I`m sure, but Jawad`s character deserved a bit more depth and consideration. People like Jawad`s character shouldn`t be made into bogeymen. Use of his character to invoke pity and fear was in poor taste.

Temporal wrote (#1):

``Another story in the finest traditions of Islamic heritage perceived and vociferously practised in the land of the believers!``

I really don`t think ``Islamic heritage``,perceived or otherwise, enters the picture here.



-digit

A writer (or artist) is not a social worker, s/he cannot fix society`s ills. The writer (or artist) is like a mirror, reflecting what s/he sees. What they make of it, what they do with it is up to each individual. Some resent the bitter truth; some recognize what has to be done; each reacts in his/her own way.

Speaking for myself, I see the cure for most of the ills afflicting us as:

1) universal education;

2) alleviation of poverty;

3) knowledge of and a demand for ones rights.

How this is to come about beats me!

cliche ridden or not, the basic theme of the story is of an event that actually did take place....but the girl hanged herself in the real story.

Sometimes an author can take the mundane and turn it into something worthwhile. Sadly this one needs to go into the trash bin. No imagination and no wordplay. But worst of all is the hidden message looking for a male hand in everything wrong with women and society. Yeah take penis-envy to new and unfathomable heights. Bravo!!

later

-sac

My last post should have read `demonization` not `denomination`. Ahh, the faith I put in my wretched spell checker.

Fairdinkum: -

Your likeness for the writer`s work was duly noted! I am in no way obligated to agree with you and I suggest vice versa. With that said, please do not assume that anyone ought to agree with you in anyway! Got it!

Dear Zeejah,

I am sorry that you had to write this.

It must have been very painful. I am not going to make any comments other than thank you for writing this article so well.Very kind of you to share and we hope that we learn from it rather than pointing finger at the writer.

Thank you and keep the good work going. By the way your ``Enchanted forest`` was also a remarkable experience.Take care and hope to see you around .

Cheerio bye.

RE: Zahra #28

The writer got atleast one person motivated; that is YOU, Zahra. Don`t you think he did his job well. All my life I always beleived in that one tiny little raindrop-the first drop.

Re:Zahra #28

Zahra Bibi,
I hope you are well.

RE: Reply #: 16 temporal

My e-mail address is:

ras@chowk.com

Rooh Afza will be acceptable but ...

Ras

Zahra #28

I agree with the spirit of your post..:)

cheers.