After a wave of ethnic tension and political violence that gripped Karachi earlier this month, Rumana Husain’s book ‘Karachiwala’ comes as a relief. With over 60 different ethnicities converged in the 330-page book, she aptly describes Karachi as a “sub-continent within a city” and focuses on the personal stories of ordinary individuals.
The book elaborates on the lifestyle, language and values of all the communities residing in Karachi and attempts to reveal how they create a cosmopolitan character of the city that gives Karachi its resilience amidst the ethnic tension and social disparities.
But while ‘Karachiwala’ pays tribute to people from different backgrounds who have contributed towards the growth of this financial capital, it has not touched upon the politics of diversity that has divided this city of 18 million people.
Political battle lines have been drawn with large parts of Karachi now divided into Pukhtoon-dominated areas and Mohajir-dominated areas. This is also the same city where religious minorities and places of worship are frequently targeted, sectarian groups attack congregations and where members of one ethnic/religious/social group avoid stepping into areas unfamiliar to them.
This has given birth to ghettos in the city that was once known to be peaceful and tolerant and where people resided together irrespective of their social group and religion.
In such a scenario has Karachi’s diversity now become a liability? This is a question the author fails to address. “I did not want to talk about politics because I believe my book is just a step towards clearing some misperceptions we have of other communities,” says Rumana Husain, who is also an art critic.
“We, as a society, are always so suspicious of each others’ backgrounds that we fail to accept and appreciate diversity. Once we succeed in doing so, we will realise that Karachi isn’t that unsafe.”
Husain, however, adds that it was her curiosity that led her to Meghi, the bird-trapping Vaghdi elder’s house or compelled her to trace the history of the ‘Red Dress’ in the Kathiawadi community. “I was never convinced, nor comfortable with the overly simplified version of only four ethnicities from the four provinces of Pakistan. I knew this was not the whole truth and was done out of political expediency so I have tried to capture all those hidden faces.”
The book, which is heavy with graphics and illustrations, also comprises essays from prominent architect Arif Hasan, economist Akbar Zaidi, art collector and photographer Lutfullah Khan, journalist Zubeida Mustafa and educationist Hameeda Khuhro – all of whom have shared their experiences from the city’s multi-cultural past and present.
“This book is not only important because it documents the history of each community in the city but also because it has been published at this particular time,” architect Arif Hasan said at the launch ceremony on Wednesday.
“However, I also know that if ten years down someone decides to record a similar history, the content would not be the same because our societal values are continuously evolving.”
This is something Rumana Husain agrees with. During her research, Husain says she also discovered many layers and overlaps within each profile that made it difficult for her to slot them into categories or groups. Unfortunately, this has not been a difficult task for our politicians who continue to use the “ethnic card” to keep control over Karachi.
Keeping this aspect in mind, ‘Karachiwala’ may succeed in preventing the future course of politics, provided the book reaches the audience it has targeted, particularly the students.
Aroosa Masroor is a staff reporter for Dawn.com.
The views expressed in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
The superb expression of olden Karachi…
A master collection of history…
Best Luck…
It is a good effort to project Old -Karachi
Best Regards,
Khalid Hussain
Great job! Yes, it should be brought to light that Karachi is a multi ethnic society composed mainly of Muslims, Parsis and Christians. Also one cannot ignore paying tribute to the main ethnicities that contributed in building this cosmopolitan city toward financial prosperity as well as construction of the infrastructure – the Mohajirs (also consists of the Parsis, Memons, Aghakhanis etc) and the Pushtoons played a leading role in building Karachi, with others following behind them. With the evolution of time, there are more and more ethnic groups joining in the prosperity of Karachi and making it a even bigger melting pot.
One of the most important parameters of measuring how ‘celebrating’ and inclusive is the environment – social and governmental – in a country is the comparison between the rates of growth of population among the minorities and the majority community. In inclusive environments the the rate of growth of population of the minorities tends to be higher than the majority community. I will sincerely appreciate if someone could share such data for Pakistan.
It just occured to me that in Karachi the muslms from U.P. and Bihar (know as mohajirs) are a considered separate entity and have to fight for their basic rights. The same situation is with the same people who are settled in Mumbai and have to face flak from the sons-of-the-soil. Interesting ! Isnt it ?
Dear Aroosa, great read. But tell me honestly… How much diversity can you find in Pakistan? There are Muslims, Muslims and Muslims. Where are the Hindus, Christians, Athesists, Pharsis, Jains, Sikhs, Jews etc. Don’t you think they will add to the diversity?
There are Christians, hindus, Sikhs, Parsis and Atheists in Pakistan who make up 2 % of the population. Most Hindus and sikhs who were a minority migrated to india and Millions of Muslims from India to Pakistan during the partition. The current makeup is based on the result of the Partition where Muslim majority areas became Pakistan.
Trying to make it sound as if somehow Pakistan has eliminated its minorities is dishonest. Same will be true for many European countries which have less than 2% minorities.
We hardly have a population of around few hundred thousand Hindus and still they have made it to the post of chief Justice of Supreme court and Pakistan cricket team (Anil Dilpit, Dinesh Kaneria). The condition of minorities in Pakistan is no worse than that in India, but the anti Pakistan propaganda is blinding.
Do you expect us to invite more minorities from outside just to please yourself.
Dear Akil,
You have raised very valid questions about minority treatment in Pakistan, but you need to cross validate your conclusions.
In India there enough number of minorities reaching the top of every walk of life. Actors (Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, AR Rahman), cricketers (Azharuddin, Zaheer), Business man (Azim Premji, Nusli Wadia – grandson of Jinnah), Presidents (Abdul Kalam, Zakir Hussain, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad, Giani Zail Singh), PM (Manmohan Singh) etc. are just a few to be named.
Do some unbiased facts finding about how / why the minority population in Pakistan keeps on reducing and in India keeps on increasing. You don’t need to please anyone other than ALL sections of citizens of your own country, including the minorities.
Rightly said. They know the answer fully well, but would never admit it.
Karachi remained the Past Capital city. This is still the economic hub of the country. Recently there has been a turmoil in the city. Life was cramped and people were dying due to accidents, gang fights, bomb blast and broken out fires. It was started having an impression of some kinda curse prevailing there and even more, frequent prolonged load shading added fuel to the misery of Karachi people. This book will help in revivification setting aside the political realities there which is good as it may fan those harsh factual flames of deprivation and sense of being taken as hostage, by certain political fractions within. Wish this book serve its purpose of infusing life and vigour amongst the commons living in that glorious city.
The greatest historical tragedy of Karachi is the partition of subcontinent, Karachi was a city of peace, love and harmony than came the great divide, the heaven converted into something it shouldnt.
Where can I get this book from
Thank you
Arif
26.2.2010
The book is available with JAAL, the publisher (www.jaal.org/karachiwala) and also with Liberty Books and other bookshops.
It sounds like a good effort by Rumana Husain. Normal pattern for human functioning is, as we all know, we think we talk we write and we do. Even if she is talking about diversity she is doing a good job. Diversity if you look at it carefully is found in a family, in a community, in a town, in a city, in a country and in the world. We cannot be an island to ourselves. Diversity is a fact of life, a naked reality, its sincere acceptance brings about a profound change in one’s attitude. There is no diversity without concomitant tolerance. There should be open discussion in the community and class room to foster a sense of diversity and oppose those who oppose diversity. This is the only path to the progress. All other ways would lead to destruction.
If anyone of us has more ideas and can contribute to the cause of diversity he or she should come forward and write another book on the subject expounding their own views. Let’s not discourage those who are doing something in this direction.
@muhammad.quddus : I’m sure there are other books that address “What is history, What is civilization and what is destruction.” Why is it an “overwhelming question” that this book must address those particular issues of interest to you? This book appears to be a commendable effort to document the various people of Karachi. I’m not sure the target audience is only the students of Karachi. Readers of any age would find such a book to be very interesting so that they can learn more about their city.
nice read
Celebrating diversity is the concept and practice popular in countries like India, America and most of the mature democracies in the world. It is an alien concept in Pakistan and Israel, which came into existence because their founding fathers found weakness in diversity instead of the strength. They thought that getting rid of other religion and beliefs will solve the problem of their society and their chosen country. How wrong and mistaken they were?
The fundamental and universal truth is that democracy and secularism gain their strength from all kind of diversity.
Good Luck to the author of the book who is trying to understand and answer some of the questions Mr. Jinnah did not think important when he was looking for the universal TRUTH.
India has not chose diversity it is stuck with it. The way things are going with the hindu fanatic parties it will be a Hindu state in near future with minorities having to either covert or migrate as demanded but some. There will be nothing wrong with it as a majority the hindus have a right to decide what type of country they want.
Dear Akil,
You say “India will be a Hindu state in near future”. There you are totally wrong.
I am a Hindu and I strongly oppose India to be created as a Hindu state, and most Hindus have the same thoughts as me. India will never be a Hindu state as we welcome all religions equally. That is where we differ from you. We are never shy to admit that we have our share of problems like Godhara (muslims), Delhi (sikhs), Kandhamal (Christians), Kashmir (Hindus) where a section of our own population was killed. But they all were Indians first and we admit we failed to protect them. We are fixing those problems and not burrying them under the carpet.
We are sticking to the promise that our PM Nehru made to all the minorities at the time of division. Your Jinnah also made a similar promise (You are free to go to your temples mosques or any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan…) to the minorities. Just do a reality check if that promise has been upheld.
Great effort in its essence.
Hope people read and understand it with the same inclusive spirit that the author and her associates have written it with.
Wish the best!
The overwhelming question for the writer is: Does the book contain a theme or the book is just a dispassionate account of stories randomly collected? A theme that addresses the following anxieties such as “What is history, What is civilization and what is destruction.” Since the target audience are the students of Karachi, then they are lucky to be around with a book that gives them a wider awareness. I wish such a book was around when I was young in Karachi.