Category: Uncategorized

COKE STUDIO OPENS SEASON 14 WITH SOULFUL “TU JHOOM”

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Following the launch of its season reveal video, Coke Studio releases the first song from Season 14, Tu Jhoom, featuring icons Abida Parveen and Naseebo Lal.

Two years into strange times, vocal powerhouses Abida Parveen and Naseebo Lal are here to confirm what we’ve suspected all along: control is an illusion. In Tu Jhoom, Season Producer Xulfi uses his musical sixth sense to create an atypical pairing so natural it’s borderline insanity it wasn’t done before. “I always like to bring an element of surprise, expected things have short lives,” he said. 

 

Tu Jhoom is a song as hypnotically nostalgic as it is new. Season Producer and Curator Xulfi defines it as the most honest representation of not only his journey, but the Collective’s. He developed the narrative of the song after realising he needed to own the turmoil within himself, playing the groove on an instrument and humming what would become the chorus on repeat. His mind, like a wheel in motion, needed a day to let the song arrive.

Associate music producer Abdullah Siddiqui calls the track “a perfect blend of traditional sounds – quintessentially desi but in an updated, almost postmodern way.”

Visually it comes through like a fever dream. It’s hard to say whether Tu Jhoom recalls a painting we once saw of a Mughal scene, or is an actual genetic memory passed down from our elders. Zeeshan Parwez’s video vibrates with warmth, with its floor-to-ceiling jaalis, earthy colours and romantic courtyard filled with bodies submitting to music. The words, moulded to perfection by Adnan Dhool, are so weighty and wise they feel penned by Abida Ji herself. Word on the street is that when the Grande-Dame was presented the song she started alaaping on the very first line! Naseebo Lal adds a street-wise edge with bold tonality that holds its own, tapping her Rajasthani roots. When she declares she is content, the authenticity in her voice tells us that she has truly lived the message of the song. Hearing the track is like being in on a secret. Both artists have complex personal journeys, and watching them confide in and root for each other feels right.

 

“Xulfi has made a unique song that epitomizes the Sufi transitional rhythms. I had heard a song that he had worked with Naseebo ji on and told him to work more with her and now we have come together to bring this combined effort.” said Abida Parveen

“I am coming back to Coke Studio for the second time, in a very different style. Abida Ji is an asset not just for Pakistan but the entire world. I am a huge fan of hers and it is an honour to be performing with her.” said Naseebo Lal

Tu Jhoom is more than a song; it’s a declaration. We’re still standing and we’re smiling through it all. Coke Studio throws the gauntlet down with its true-to-soul season opener. Tu Jhoom can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/7D4vNcK6D38The second song from Coke Studio Season 14 will be released on 21st January 2022.

In the meantime, be sure to listen to your favorite songs from Coke Studio on Spotify https://open.spotify.com and keep yourself logged on to www.cokestudio.com.pk and https://www.instagram.com/coke_studio to follow the Coke Studio journey.

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Talk on Thinking with GHALIB

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

THAAP organized a thought provoking talk entitled Thinking with Ghalib at THAAP head office in Gulberg, on friday 14th January. During the Talk, Dr Anjum Altaf reinterprets Ghalib’s relevance to modern times. The poet Mirza Ghalib is primarily a philosopher who asks thought-provoking questions about identity, faith and faithfulness, but rarely provides answers, said Dr Anjum Altaf because he wants his audience to think for themselves and find their own answers. Therefore, the reader is drawn into a discussion out of which a richer understanding would emerge for all. Ghalib communicates his ideas in very elegant poetry and in a few, simple, and often playful words. This makes him a much more agreeable companion than other philosophers whose meanings only experts can decipher.

Dr. Anjum Altaf, former dean of the school of humanities and social sciences at LUMS, presented his new book ‘Thinking with Ghalib: Poetry for a New Generation’, co-authored with Amit Basole, a professor at the Azim Premji University in Bangalore. Dr Altaf further elaborated that the book is designed to put Ghalib to use and drag him back from the celebratory shelf on which he has been placed into the midst of the turmoil of our everyday and often confusing lives. It also hopes that readers would be hooked on Ghalib and read the rest of his poetry that is equally exhilarating and thought provoking.

Dr. Altaf observed that for people of his generation almost every event in daily life brought to mind some couplet of Ghalib which suggests that Ghalib’s ideas have an organic and immediate connection with contemporary reality. If this is true, the relationship should also hold in the reverse direction. Ghalib’s ideas should enable us see contemporary reality with great clarity, which would make Ghalib a great teacher. We are fortunate to have as part of our heritage a resource like Ghalib to help us engage with these big questions in a lighthearted way.

The problem is that very few are now familiar with Ghalib’s verses to trigger the journey from idea to reality. This was the motivation for writing the book which introduces 30 of Ghalib’s most exciting couplets in Urdu, Hindi, and Roman script. An English translation is also provided for those who might find the vocabulary difficult. The authors then describe how they use the couplet to better understand some aspect of contemporary reality.

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PCB to give top 15 Pakistani players cash incentives today

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Core Pakistani cricketers will be honoured today by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) with cash incentives and recognition for a year of splendid performance that won the hearts of millions of cricket fans around the world.

At a reception scheduled for today (Friday) evening, PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja is expected to present a cash incentive of Rs1.5 million to each of the top 15 players who remained an integral part of the unit in all the three formats of the game throughout the year.

Two Test specialists Abid Ali and Sajjid Khan have also been invited apart from 18 players (three reserves) for their exceptional show in the longer version of the game.

“The reception to honour the top cricketers is meant to recognise the services of all those cricketers who have helped the team stand tall in almost all the formats of the game,” a PCB official said.

“Barring some brief hiccups, the team members have given exceptional performance throughout the year. Be it T20 World Cup performance, Test matches performance at home and abroad, the team has shown exceptional courage in all the departments of the game.”

“Beating South Africa at their own soil and later sweeping through Bangladesh in their own backyard were exceptional achievements that needed to be recognised,” the PCB official said.

Pakistan won 20 of 29 T20Is during the year which also saw them putting up some resolute show in the T20 World Cup. The team that looked unbeaten finally lost to Australia in the semi-finals but not before winning many hearts for the competitive element that was on display. Beating pre-tournament favourites India by ten wickets also stunned many.

Two of the core cricketers Harris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman will not be in a position to attend the reception due to their commitments in the Australian Big Bash League while Shadab Khan is expected to reach in time on Friday.

The reception that will only be attended by the PCB high-ups is meant to boost the morale of the team members ahead of the hectic season that also includes some important series and T20 World Cup to be held in Australia in October/November.

Pakistan will also host leading international outfits including Australia, England, New Zealand, and West Indies during the coming season.

It is expected that the top 15 players will be given around Rs1.5 million each as cash incentive while the rest of the five including three reserves and two Test specialists will also be awarded.

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Kiran Tabeir marks ’11 years of togetherness’ with husband

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Actor Kiran Tabeir marked her 11th wedding anniversary with her husband Ali Hamza Safdar on Thursday midnight.

A well-known name of Pakistan’s showbiz industry, actor and host Kiran Tabeir took to the photo and video sharing site, Instagram on Thursday midnight to share a clip from her anniversary celebration, that sees the couple cutting a cake in the candlelit space.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CYpNoefhoIW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The ‘Meri Baji’ actor penned a heartfelt note to celebrate ’11 years of togetherness’ with the partner: “Definitely we Both deserve Appreciation..Because with All the craziness, disagreements, arguments (above all this my emotional Blackmailing 🙈 ) Between All this drama we Both Still manage to Love each other)”.

“Thank you so much Husband for All your Hard-work which you did to give me a Comfortable Life”, she further expressed.

Tabeir tied the knot with Ali in 2011, and both share a beautiful bond of love and friendship even after 11 long years of their marriage, the couple has managed to keep the spark alive between them.

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SBP committee wants cryptocurrency banned in Pakistan

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

A complete ban should be imposed on cryptocurrency and other related activities in the country, says a committee of the State Bank of Pakistan.

The Sindh High Court had directed for the constitution of the committee under the supervision of SBP’s deputy governor, along with officials from ministries of finance and information technology, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, and Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.

The court takes the committee’s opinion to mull over whether any form of cryptocurrency could be permitted under Pakistani law.

Filing compliance reports before the SHC on a petition against restrictions on trading virtual currencies, the committee suggested a complete ban on all cryptocurrency and other related activities in the country.

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Mehwish Hayat shares a musical message to welcome 2022

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Popular actor of the Pakistani showbiz industry, Mehwish Hayat has left fans awestruck with her melodious voice and powerful message.

Pakistani superstar, Mehwish Hayat posted a monochromatic video on the photo and video sharing application, Instagram that features the superstar as she sings American singer, Mariah Carey’s mega-hit ‘Hero‘.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CX_y-rGhzV6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Social media users can’t stop praising the ‘Punjab Nahi Jaungi’ actor for another talent apart from her versatile acting. The video that was shared by Hayat earlier this week has garnered thousands of hearts and compliments in the comments sections.

The euphonious cover of Carey’s hit posted by ‘Dil Lagi’ actor was captioned with, “As another year comes to an end with a new one on the horizon. This is just a reminder for anyone who needs to hear it – the real hero lies within us all”.

Although her rendition was appreciated and loved by everyone including co-actors Sana Fakhar and Dino Ali, it was the powerful message in the caption promoting self-empowerment that grabbed the attention of many, as she further added, “We just need to acknowledge and realise the power that we hold within ourselves. Why look outside to find our hero when there is one inside of each one of us. Be your own hero today, tomorrow and always!”

Mehwish is one of the leading names of Pakistani drama and film industry and has given out impressive performances over her career span, including dramas like ‘Kabhi Kabhi’, ‘Dil Lagi’, and blockbuster movies ‘Jawaani Phir Nahi Aani’ and ‘Punjab Nahi Jaungi’.

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Actor Faizan Sheikh and wife blessed with a baby girl

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Congratulations are in order for actor Faizan Sheikh and his wife Maham Aamir as the couple on Tuesday welcomed their first child, a baby girl. 

Faizan shared the delightful news on his Instagram with a heartwarming picture of his little one holding her parent’s fingers. 

“We came to the hospital as two and now we have become three MashaAllah,” said Faizan, adding, “Alhumdolilah blessed with a baby girl.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYBska-KD0W/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

He went on to request his fans and followers to pray for his little family. 

The couple had announced their pregnancy earlier this month with pictures from their maternity shoot. 

“We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we will very soon be joined with our bundle of joy,” Faizan had written at the time. 

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Maryam Nawaz dresses up for son Junaid Safdar’s wedding event

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-FASHION)

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz has once again stolen the limelight by dressing up to the nines for her son, Junaid Safdar’s, wedding festivities. 

For the last few days, Maryam’s pictures from different pre-wedding events have been taking social media by storm, with both critics and fans obsessing over her looks. 

On Tuesday, Maryam opted to wear a stunning, bottle-green sharara for Junaid’s barat. The dress comprised heavy gold embroidery and a net dupatta with delicate pink floral work. 

In terms of jewellery, Maryam wore a gold necklace and a gold-and-emerald tiara which enhanced her traditional look.

On the other hand, the groom opted for a crisp white sherwani and traditional white headdress. The father of the groom, Captain Safdar, chose a navy-blue suit that he teamed with a pink headdress. 

Junaid’s reception, who got married in London in August, is scheduled to take place on December 17 in Lahore. 

The Sharif family has celebrated several pre-wedding events over the course of the last two weeks.

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Namibia captain offer to play for ‘free’ in PSL 2022 after Kamran Akmal steps back

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Following Pakistani cricketer Kamran Akmal’s decision to leave the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Namibian skipper Gerhard Simpson has shown interest to play in the tournament, that too for “free” if need be.

The second-highest run-scorer Kamran Akmal was selected in the ‘Silver’ category during the PSL draft by his previous team, Peshawar Zalmi. However, he refused to play after being selected as the last option and considered this action as “humiliation.”

Replying to a tweet shared by ESPNcricinfo, the Namibian player wrote: “Pick me. I’ll be there for free.”

In a conversation on his YouTube channel “Catch and bat with Kamran Akmal”, the cricketer had said: “Perhaps the team has no use for me anymore.”

Akmal went on to say that PSL would do better to give a chance to younger players “rather than pick me in the Silver category”.

The wicketkeeper-batsman had said that when his category changed from Platinum to Gold last time, he was taken aback.

He had said he believes he is deserving of the Gold category based on his performance “but they picked me in the Silver category”.

“I do not think I should play in the seventh edition of the PSL,” Akmal had said.

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#BCW: Amar Khan’s ramp walk with Shazia Manzoor is a visual treat

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

The video of actor Amar Khan setting the ramp of a three-day fashion show with her impressive dance skills on fire has gone viral.

She shared the pictures and videos on her photo and video-sharing social media application Instagram profile.

The celebrity, in the caption, wrote that it is not an easy task for anyone to get the crowd grooving on the show’s first act and the audience’s reaction touched their hearts.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXbUTvtsqCS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

“Hey hey Y’all Thank you for last night!🔥💯💖” she wrote. “Live audiences are hard to please. The warmth, roars, claps and whistles hit our hearts.”

She added: “My Opening with Shazia Manzoor’s presence made got the crowd and the models grooving.”

The picture and video gallery got thousands of likes. The application’s users reacted to the pictures and videos to heap praise.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CXZAYJNl384/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

A user commented that the actor is breaking the stage these days and is the best while another called it an electrifying performance.