There is a marked change in the weather scene of Isloo. The climate is crisp and fresh with the citrus fruits flooding the market place. There are an endless varieties of oranges but the Khanpur ones rule the roost. These are so juicy together with being sweet n sour. The first event that I covered was an exhibition of calligraphic paintings by a London-based artist Faiza Shaikh at Marriott Hotel, Islamabad.
It was inaugurated by the Saudi Ambassador that was attended by an elite gathering of people comprising art connoisseurs, diplomats, close acquaintances and mostly who's who of the Isloo social circle.Faiza Shaikh said, " The Holy Qura'n inspires me.
I use pure silver and pure gold (22 karat gold). I feel that the purity of the verses should be displayed on pure substances as it reflects the purity of the verses." She has a fascination for very strong colours. She feels that the rich colours support the verses of the Qura'n. Each painting has a different theme with different Suras, explaining what the Sura is about. She has painted all her life but never exhibited her work.
This is her first exhibition. Art for her is not a profession and whenever she is in the mood she paints. She said that her friends persuaded her to exhibit the paintings.
It takes her approximately three to four days to complete one painting if she spends a full day working. However, a lot depends on the details for-instance how long the Sura is and how much gold or silver is used. Silver and gold leaf is not easy to use as it takes a lot of time. She loves doing portraits as well. She can paint with a photograph or models.
She is planning another exhibition in Dubai next year. She said that it was lovely to be in Islamabad and meet the people .She further said, "It was nice to know that they all appreciated my work and this shows that people here appreciate and enjoy art." The entire proceeds from the sale of her paintings will be donated to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust and the tsunami victims.
Thirty-one paintings were on display with each accompanied by an English translation of the verses along with a detailed textual reference. Some of the themes were based on life and death, judgement and 'Tauheed.'
In 'Revelation 2,' the artist relied on white and gold to explain the meaning of the hereafter. "So glory to Him in Whose hands is the dominion of all things and to Him will ye all be brought back," read the translation.
The background on her is that she did her 'A' levels in Art from Fieldn Park College, Manchester and took private lessons from the Slate School of Art, London. She is from Karachi but has lived in London for a very long time.
It was a successful collaborative effort involving Rezz Aly Shah, Nighat Rizvi, Imran Rizvi and Zainab.

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The second event was a New Year's reception given by the Netherlands Ambassador, Dr Marcel Kurperschoek and Mrs. Betsy Udnik at their residence to mark the rotation of European Union Presidency. Ministers, representatives of the civil society, politicians, diplomats, academicians, renowned journalists and retired generals attended it.
In a brief speech announced Dr Marcel that the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Junker has taken over as the President of the European Union. However, since Luxembourg does not have representation in Pakistan, therefore, the Netherlands would retain the leadership of European Union in Pakistan.
He further mentioned that in the emergency summit held in Jakarta, EU President indicated that the relief efforts undertaken by the EU for the tsunami disaster affectees would not only focus on short-term relief but would extend over a period of many years.
He pointed out that Dutch relief efforts alone raised 112 million euros in a mega TV fund raising event, in which 160 prominent Dutch personalities participated, along with a national campaign to pledge support. This substantial amount of money is the largest raised in Dutch history for any relief effort. He emphasised that not only European institutions, but also ordinary citizens and NGOs contributed to the relief efforts to a large extent.
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Dynamic Zarsanga, the melody queen of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and tribal areas enthralled the guests with her folk songs, desert arias and mountainous gharhi (a type of Pashto tapi). " Being uneducated I cannot sing ghazals and only concentrate on gharhi and folk songs which are so popular among the Pakhtoons," said Zarsanga.
Background on her is that she was born in a nomadic Paktoon family from Tank, DI Khan in NWFP, Zalubai (Jalibi in Urdu), popularly known as Zarsanga, inherited singing from her family. "I love my soil and culture as it gives the fragrance of fraternity, freedom and vanity." She has performed in the USA, UK, Paris, Germany, Belgium, UAE, Iraq and many other countries.
Her songs have been regularly transmitted on national Radio and Television channels and she has won many national awards such as Pride of Performance and Presidential Award apart from receiving accolades at home and abroad for her passionate and bewitching voice.
The atmosphere was relaxed and cocktails made rounds with everyone drinking like fish. The Pashto songs and music gave a cultural touch to the reception. Serena Hotel did the catering and waiters were very hospitable. The menu comprised an assortment of delicacies. The function was a complete hit with everyone having a good time.
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The third event that I covered was a "First Islamabad Mini Marathon Race-2005" organised by the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad Capital Territory. It was an athletic activity for participants with all degrees of capability. The race covered a distance of 6 km. All participants were issued coupons at the starting point.
Those who crossed the finish line within a period of an hour and a half deposited their coupons and a ballot was held during the prize distribution ceremony. As a result of the ballot, prizes were awarded such as colour TV set, mountain bike, DVD player, mobile phone, food factory and 200 tracksuits. Moreover, there were special prizes for the oldest, the youngest, the tallest, the fattest and the heaviest participants.
The main attraction was the performance by the E.P. music group. It was fun for all age groups and a goodly gathering of people from all walks of life attended it. However, the crowd became rowdy and started throwing pebbles and firecrackers at the compere and the music group.
2005 makes a spirited start and another week makes its exit. So long until next week folks.