During my few years of association with the arts in Pakistan, I have come across several inspiring women artists and exciting art works. In the past few years there has been rapid growth and boom within the visual arts. As an artist and art educator I see a positive shift in the general perception towards art as an academic and career pursuit. Pakistani art is now making its presence felt internationally. Pakistani artists are reaching out, and through the help of artist collectives and galleries they are getting a chance to exhibit worldwide. Every week in the major cities, Karachi and Lahore, there are two to three art exhibit openings. We often see new galleries inaugurated and artists featured. The press supports these artists and mostly all exhibit openings, are well attended by the public and featured by the print media and television. The visual arts are being celebrated and to be an artist is now more glamorous than ever.

Away from this hype, glamour and often clamour and glare, are some women artists who are working away mysteriously, producing work that is sensitive, direct, relevant and contemporary. I am privileged to have had an insight into some of these multi-faceted and sophisticated women's lives and works, which are both stirring and captivating.

Samina Raza

She is a self taught and exceptionally skilled artist. Her paintings, mostly watercolour and mixed media represent life, dreams, stories, fantasies and realities. The colours are extremely fresh and almost alive. The drawings so detailed and resolved. Samina's work truly represents her great history and her eclectic choices. Her many years of work as an art teacher and illustrator for children's books reflects in her work, as each piece contains some playfulness, and a riddle like quality. The work is approachable, direct and communicative. Samina has exhibited her artwork nationally for several years, in group and solo shows, her latest work will be on exhibit in Karachi this summer. Samina Raza, artist and mother, began her career in Lahore; she now lives and paints in her wonderfully colourful and dollhouse like home and studio in Karachi.

Gharia Badar

She is womanly and proud, and loves clay. She is fascinated by her pottery wheel, and like most of us clay artists, is tied and most loyal to her medium. She often spends her days working away in her studio at home, and managing her home and kids simultaneously. Ghania's work is ambitious, with limited ceramic resources she aims to produce the conceptually driven work, which delivers the modern art feel in form and finish. I had the chance to show with her once in Lahore at the Al-Hamra Arts Council where she displayed her table piece, colourful, full of form, detailed and narrative. She recently displayed her work addressing the issue of honour killing, at the National Art Gallery in Islamabad. Ghania Badar, artist, mother and homemaker lives and pots up in the hills of Islamabad.

Fizza Saleem

Sensitive, playful and kind, Fizza has explored a variety of mediums and themes during her seven year career. She has trained at the NCA in

Lahore and also at the Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture in Karachi. Her drawings and paintings are enchanting and childlike. Dorothy's magic shoes in the Wizard of Oz inspire Fizza's current work, and through her work she explores a child's world. She has shown nationally in group and solo shows, her latest work is on exhibit in Karachi in May 2009. Fizza Saleem, artist, mother and homemaker lives and works in Karachi.

Nurayah Sheikh Nabi

She is vibrant, feminine, spontaneous and headstrong. So is her work. Her art, which mostly consists of printmaking and drawings, is rich and substantial. Her concepts stemming from the self, the woman, are depicted in the strong marks of her tools. Nurayah's use of the female body in her work is moving, and her skill does justice to the forms. She says about her work, "The fascination of a single line in a circular movement which takes on varying forms or tentacles just on their own, recurring symbols that signify the self in isolation and the self as part of a whole. Stages of life and evolution of self have been constant in my work. This constant back and forth makes my work evolve." Nurayah has exhibited her work nationally at several shows; Nurayah artist, educator, mother and homemaker, belongs to Karachi, but currently lives in Lahore, where she first found art and love.

Aliya Yousuf

Aliya is quiet, pensive and straightforward, works diligently with clay. A medium she has grown to love over the years. Trained primarily as a miniaturist, Aliya now focuses on her ceramic sculpture. Her works are detailed, fine and full of form. Her recent works are a series of hand built clay forms, standing precariously and delicately on probe like limbs. Aliya initially worked with low-fired red clay, but has now moved to high-fired clays and is constantly challenging her ceramic skill and knowledge and experimenting with many types of treatments and firings. Aliya has shown in several group shows nationally, and is now working towards a solo exhibit. This summer Aliya will be showing new work in a two-person show in Karachi. Aliya Yousuf artist, educator and dedicated mother lives and works in Karachi.

Sanah Bakhtiyar

Young and positive, this girl has been showing her work since 2005. She is a painter in the true sense. The first solo show, which I curated, consisted of paintings more than fifteen feet in width or height, the show also contained a 30-foot wall mural as the major piece of the show. She uses colours and energy in abundance, sometimes layering with paint, sometimes searching and at times discovering. Her earlier works defined her as an action painter. Even though Sarah began working at a smaller scale recently, the work has no less energy or action. She addresses the space in her paintings as if searching for a solution. Her work truly develops visually and conceptually during the process of being worked upon. Her works are open ended, colourful, moving and growing each day that she works in her studio. She has exhibited her paintings and murals nationally and internationally in solo and group shows. Her new body of work will be on display in Karachi this autumn. Sarah Bakhtiyar an artist, teacher, curator and new homemaker; works and lives in Karachi.

Saba Iqbal

You may have the perfect clothes, fantabulous jewellery but you can kill your entire look if you go with the wrong shoes. Yes, indeed it is shoes and not dogs that are a girl's best friends. For all the shoe fanatics out there in Lahore (and we know there are plenty), there is some very good news. You no longer have to take a trip down the roads of London, Paris or Milan to find the perfect pair of shoes to dress up your feet, all you have to do is go down to the local Lewre store that has just launched!

With the changing styles and fashion, designers are not only coming up with innovative ideas for clothes but are also focusing on every aspect of one's dressing, including shoes. The brand has come to South Asia for the first time and is sure to hit the glam map with a storm. The event was handled by Aamer Mazhar of Savvy Events and leading senior designer including Deepak Perwani was present showcasing his latest western line. The choreography of the event was done by Rezz Aly Shah - the busy bee of the fashion industry.

The brand hails from Malaysia and has been making inroads into the international fashion scene amidst great applause and fanfare among shoe aficionados. Its demand and availability is found in all the fashion capitals of the world and lucky us, now it's made its way to Pakistan. If you are looking for something different which defies the run-of-the-mill approach then you should stop by at the store. There are a bunch of innovative designs including the shoes being adorned with crystals to add panache and quality to the brand. Whether it's a pair of heal to add to your height or a pair of hobo sandals to hit the beach, you will find that your feet are in comfortable territory at this brand's store.

The shoe brand is best known for the stir it created at the 2005 London Fashion Week when it linked up with couture designer Eric Way and surely now is the preferred choice of couture designers. Needless to say all the girls out there can't wait to get their hands on some of the new designs and the summer collection that was released.

That's not all; like the shoes are dressed up with all kinds of glimmery and shiney stones and diamantes, the launch too was adorned with a whole host of stars; verily the who's who was present at the event to check out some of the footwear. Mr. Lewre Lew, the founder of Lewre, was also present at the shop to oversee the event. And of course the very best of our fashion fraternity was present to model the shoes for the audience, namely Sabina Pasha Gillani, Nooray Bhatti, Fia, Uzma Ilyaas and Zille. They sashayed in one by one and displayed the latest designs of the brand. The event was well attended both by people and a very frenzy media that clicked away and excitedly took shots of the innovative designs.

This is exactly what all the Karachiites needed! An outlet which matches international standards has finally opened up in Pakistan for all the perfume lovers. Recently, COS has formally launched its very first retail chain of a luxurious outlet known as Scentsation at Park Towers, Karachi. The event was inaugurated by the French Council General, Mr. Pierre Selillan and French Trade Commissioner Mr. Francis. Life size branded perfume bottles adorned the place to show that fragrances influence any ambiance! This idea on its own was creative and eye catching. Branded perfume podiums were installed and beauty advisors were presenting various fragrances and the audience was even provided with a chance to test them out.

For the entertainment of the attendees a live performance by the band Hillary also took place. The elite of the town also visited the outlet including Samina Peerzada, Abdullah Kadwani, Adnan Siddique, Aijaz Aslam, Mishee Khan Faakhir, and Ayesha Umer. On the occasion, Mr. Mohsin Feroz and Salman Karim of COS also shared their future plans about opening two more outlets in the city of Lahore.

Barclays bank Pakistan, a major global financial services provider, has now launched 'Weekend Reinvented' to serve their customers in a novel way. This includes the holding of a series of events for their customers and it kicked off with an exquisite display of diamond jewellery. The exhibition was of a French based company known as Aliel and the elite event was held at the Shahbaz branch of the bank. The short yet classy event had models strutting down the ramp in black formal attire wearing the designer jewellery while photographers snapped away.

The brand has designers from Italy, Honk Kong and UAE and have been creating elegant jewellery designs for customers across the globe. Finally Pakistan has also been added to the list of countries they are now catering to and we certainly are looking forward on seeing a lot more of such designer brands.

Recently, Still Waters Publishing launched Khuala Jamil's debut book entitled 'Raw Life'. The book launch was held in Karachi at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture. 'Raw Life' is basically a graphic design and photography based book exploring the idea of creativity through the lives of 10 creative professionals in Pakistan. The event included the introduction to the book by the author, a documentary screening and book signing opportunities.

Dear Nadine Khan,

I'm an 18-year-old girl. I am studying telecom engineering. The problem is related to my class fellow, who is also my closest friend. Actually, he was madly in love with a girl 'R'. But unfortunately one day the girl just broke up with him without giving him any specific reason. It's been a year since they broke up, but he still misses her and wants her back. Also, he is depressed. He used to torture himself physically by writing 'I Love You' with blades on his hand. After his break up, he became addicted to smoking. He just doesn't sleep at nights and by doing this, he is only destroying his life. As a close friend he used to share everything with me. There is another thing that I want to tell you: he said that now he also loves me. But I don't think it's true because he never tries to forget 'R'. Anyway, I want to help him. I want to bring a change in him as I can't see him in this condition. How can I help him change?

Maraamz

Dear Maraamz,

It seems that you are a very good friend to have in times of crises for you are very sincerely and selflessly trying to help a friend who is down and out at the moment. You can help him by listening to him, because speaking out in front of a sympathetic and uncritical listener is an effective form of catharsis. Encourage him to take up a sport and to go out with friends. Impress upon him that torturing himself, mentally or physically, would only harm him. Don't take his assertions of love seriously; he has just been thwarted and on the rebound he has expressed his love for you. Make him understand that you are a sincere friend and not interested in a romantic relationship. My dear, if he gets serious for you, you have plenty of time to find out as you are only eighteen, and so is presumably your friend. Time enough for serious stuff once the study period is over, right? Good luck!

Dear Tiny tot,

You need to realise that your parents only want what's best for you. You have just started your teenage and it's now time for you to let go of the nest and learn to fly solo. It isn't a wonder that your parents want you to try something new, because if not now, then when? This doesn't mean that they don't love you and don't want you around. Try something new! Good luck!

Problems that need a solution? You can e mail Prof. Nadine Khan at nadinekhan_34@yahoo.com

This week You! has collaborated with food maestro Chef Munir, from Sheraton to bring a unique spicy recipe prepared with a twist. Happy cooking...

Ingredients:

- Bekhti fish fillet 300 grms

- Lemon 1

- Crushed chilli 1 tsp

- Red chilli powder 1 tsp

- Turmeric powder 1 tsp

- Aniseed 1 tsp

- Kalonji 1 tsp

- Ginger garlic paste 1 tsp

- Chickpea flour 2 tsp

- Salt 1 tsp

Method:

- Start by taking the fish and covering it with ginger garlic paste

- Mix all the spices and coat the fish with this paste

- Leave the fish in chickpea flour for two hours

Dance is an integral form of art. It is the natural expression of human feelings. In fact it is a rhythmic movement of the body in pace with the music accompanied. Dance, like any other art form, has changed from its original format in all its different genres. The performances have changed over the decades and continue to evolve further as the world gains momentum. The World Dance Day was established in 1982, in view of attracting attention towards the art of dance. This day is celebrated every year on the 29th of April. This day was introduced in a bid to increase the importance of dance among the general public and so that attention is given to the dance culture by the respective country's government. The occasion is also celebrated to commemorate the birthday of the famous French dancer and ballet master, Jean-Georges Noverre. The day marks the significance of dance form present in every culture all across the world and to make people aware of its cultural ethnicity. This day is an appeal to all the nations of the world to encourage this art in their respective countries.

World Dance Day is also celebrated in our part of the world. This year too, on 29 April Sheema Kermani and her team performed a ballet to honour this day at the Arts Council auditorium, Karachi. The ballet was also the part of Tehrik-e-Niswan's 30 years celebrations. The ballet called 'The song of Mohenjodaro' was conceived and choreographed by Sheema Kermani. This ballet premiered in 1992. It tells the story of Peelu (Amjad Ansari), a young man and his fiancee, Bhairvi (Sheema Kermani) who wants to become a dancer. Peelu forbids her to dance and is very angry. He even takes away their engagement ring. His friend Bihag tries to cheer him up and they go down the river Indus and down in 'Time' to Mohenjodaro of 2500 B.C. where he learns about the origins of dance and its relevance in life. The ballet discusses how dance forms like yoga, bhairavi, dandiya originated and how they played a part as an expression and communal festivity; how different genre of dance brought harmony among the people and closeness to the nature. While yoga is linked with spirituality, dance forms like bhangra are linked with celebrations of harvest and bhairavi is a rain dance. When Peelu comes back to recent times, he is a changed person. He now understands the significance of dance and asks Bhairvi's forgiveness. She is more than delighted to get her fiance back and then they live happily ever after.

'The Song of Mohenjodaro' was an exhilarating one and half hour of classical and folk dance, drama and music. Sheema and her talented team including Amjad Ansari, Hoori Noorani (as the Mother Goddess) and Mani Chao (as the Yogi Dancer) enchanted the audience with their rendering of the classical and folk dances.

As Sheema puts it, "Dance is an inseparable part of human cultural existence and the most natural expression of our emotions. In the Song of Mohanjodaro I have tried to explore the origins of dance. The people of Mohenjodaro certainly knew the pleasures of dance and drama."