Having recently seen fellow Desi Writer – Osman Khalid Butt (informally known as Obi)’s play – The Good Doctor, produced under his own theatrical production company – The Living Picture Productions; yesterday, I think I can safely say I am immensely proud of his accomplishments. It’s heartening to have seen a person’s transition from poet to writer to actor to full on playwright and director. Although there were a few things about the play that may not have sat too well with me, for instance the blaring sound which seems a permanent fixture in any play performed locally and especially at Islamabad Club; and the added fact that towards the end, each succeeding death seemed a little contrived and something of a plot device; some things like the sets (with the added touch of the family portraits) were beautiful. Down to the way the actors were dressed – very period-like – this play was the play of a perfectionist. Added to the fact that the boy in question, is just 21 years old. Kudos to you, Obi.

The DesiWritersLounge.net reconstructive surgery is set to start on November 1st, and is something I am greatly looking forward to most especially since it’s been a long time in coming.

An added thing I’m looking at now, is how to raise awareness about our site and the work we do. A desi writer (mikko on the boards, Madiha to the world) pointed out that we can begin the work by hosting poetry readings under our banner, at a local coffee spot and intellectual hang-out (Civil Junction). It is an interesting idea, and something which we can definitely run with. Her idea was to start with the classics, but I can foresee something more interesting branching up and more along the lines of what I’d planned so many years ago. Having proper readings with real people bringing in their own work and reading it aloud. I don’t have everything planned – for instance, will we recruit these people to be part of the lounge and slowly begin to post – will it be a members-only event with invitations being extended to other people and eventually starting a cult of some sort? As can be seen, things have still to be woven together. But as an idea, it has tremendous potential.

Concluding, the desi writers as a collective seem to be moving forward and after all these years, it’s a marvelous step in the right direction. Here’s to more milestones, here’s to moving forward, here’s to being heard and being inspired.

Cheers!