Navid Shazad is a legend in Pakistani cinema, and her childhood was spend mixing with the who’s who of the industry and watching how the medium or film and television has evolved over the years.
She herself has stared in several popular TV serials and movies, and in recent years we’ve seen her on the big screen again.
Aslan’s Roar
Perhaps the biggest news to come from Navid Shazad this year is that, she was able to publish her first book, after two years of intensive search. She a professor of literature herself, and has about as colorful a life as a educationist as she has a performer.
The book was published by Sang-e-Meel publications, and it was star studded launch also.
Aslan’s Roar is in it’s crux a journey into the growth of Turkish media, specifically the Turkish hero, and how he comes to stand in contrast with the western hero, and make his own existence known and strong.
It really is a discussion about what popular television considers heroic and masculine. The book also makes a case for how Turkish media showcases and sustains the image of Muslim culture under the Turkish gaze and influence. They have been able to stand steadfast in their own identity and image despite the negativity and propaganda that has been thrown at the Muslim world at large for the last few decades.
In Retrospect
I think the timing couldn’t be better. Just a few months after Navid Shazad published her book, did the Prime Minister Imran Khan make plans with the Turkish and Malaysian media to come forth with a channel that counters the political narrative that vilifies Islam and Muslims.
Perhaps the world is collectively waking up from the narrative and the public is more focused on finding the truth than being afraid.
It would also be interesting to see what Navid Shazad has planned in the future for her writing career. I’m sure she has a lot to say about Pakistani media, and the tropes and trials that have followed the industry.
In Her Words
Navid Shazad was in a nostalgic and bittersweet mood at her launch party.
She had this to say about the day, ‘the event was a marvelous but humbling experience. Old friends and new came to listen, share and celebrate. In many ways, the evening was reminiscent of a Lahore that appears to be vanishing. Talking about books, music and the arts was a special feature of this magical city and this evening has inspired me to have such events on a fortnightly basis. I plan on calling it ‘The Salon Series’.
Aslan’s Roar is available in all major book stores and on the Sang-e-meel website.
Maheen Ahmed – Writing to create culture.
@lahore_la_notte_
