Literature
“We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, ‘O me! O life!… of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless… of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?’ Answer: That you are here – that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse” – Dead Poets Society (1989 film)
Kuch Khaas is turning out to be the Book Launch capital. We have had book launches for authors from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, including the like of Raza Rumi, Harris Khalique and many of Pakistan’s very own literary icons
We not only host book launches by local and international authors but also holds talks and seminars by authors, academics, and journalists on subjects of literary or philosophical interest as well as current affairs.
It’s not all about established authors though…
The Open Letters Forum, a local writers’ initiative, moderates the Writer’s Guild at Kuch Khaas, in which up-and-coming writers meet and share their work and offer constructive critique. Open Letters also coordinates a regular poetry reading and spoken word event called the Reader’s Theatre.
The lost art of storytelling has also been revived at Kuch Khaas, with the Monthly Baithak, in which participates narrate classic tales from Urdu literature. Local non-profit Lettuce Bee Kids also holds Storytelling Saturdays at Kuch Khaas, in which volunteers from the community read stories to underprivileged children.
Qissa khawani, Khaas ki zubani