Journalist Mehr F Husain’s life took a turn towards heritage conservation – and especially the crafts and textiles that are indigenous to the Subcontinent – when she began research for a book. “Why can’t India and Pakistan come together over these ancient fabrics and craft that have stood the test of time?” asks the Lahore-based author and founder of a social enterprise that makes trendy accessories using traditional crafts and fabrics. Indeed, her new book Pakistan: A Fashionable History is a case in point: it includes a foreword by Indian couturier Tarun Tahiliani.
Besides working in prestigious Pakistani publications for 13 years, Mehr’s work was featured and quoted across borders, even in an FPA Award-nominated article in The Economist’s 1843 magazine. After founding Pakistan’s first weekly humour blog whilst living in Saudi Arabia, Mehr decided to branch out into the world of books. Since then, she has had two short stories published, one of which is now part of the English curriculum in Pakistan schools.
Raised in England and Saudi Arabia, Mehr also had a stint in standup comedy, tackling issues related to desi motherhood. “I feel South Asian women have been suppressed for far too long when it comes to the ‘holy’ topic of childbearing and being a ‘maa’,” smiles the mother of two boys.
Denne historien er fra February 2021-utgaven av eShe.
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Denne historien er fra February 2021-utgaven av eShe.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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God On The Tip Of Our Tongues
The pandemic has normalised spiritual discourse and religious references
A NEW APPROACH
Malayalam film actor and Oxford graduate Santhy Balachandran used her anthropology background to conceptualise an avantgarde music video
LOOKING OUT FOR THE BIRDS
Bird steward Karen Mason on why she wants to save the birds on Florida’s coasts and her viral photo of a bird feeding her chick
SORAYA CHEMALY: RIGHTS AND RAGE
Washington DC-based author and feminist activist Soraya Chemaly believes women’s anger can be a powerful force for social justice
A MYSTERY IN HISTORY
We review two novels set in the 20th century with fabulous, flawed female protagonists out to investigate strange goings-on
A MOM'S LIFE
Photographer Debalina Bhatta’s photo feature following her mother’s daily routine is an ode to mothers everywhere
THE RAGA OF LIFE
Mahesvari Autar’s events platform showcases Indian classical music and mantras to audiences in Holland
WOMEN FIRST
Michigan-based artist and entrepreneur Svitlana Martynjuk is determined to facilitate fair representation of women in the global art scene
UNLOCKING CREATIVITY
If the Covid pandemic affected each part of our lives, can art be far behind? Two young Indian painters Aditi Purwar and Shivangi Kalra take us through the ups and downs of their artistic journeys through the pandemic and how it has shaped their personal and creative vision
WORKPLACE WELLNESS
Management consultant Seema Rekha on why employee mental health is vital for company growth and why women make better leaders