20 Windows We LOVE

Windows We LOVE

With December fast approaching, we’re all looking forward to the moment when our favorite shops unveil this year’s fabulously festive window displays. Here we have gathered the creme-de-la-crème of visual merchandising; shop windows at their very best.

Lanvin, Paris 2012

Lanvin, Paris 2012

Self ridges, Project Ocean campaign, London 2013

Jonathan Latiano’s 2009 sculpture ‘Troubled Seas’ was displayed in Selfridges’ window to promote their Project Ocean campaign. It sat alongside the words, ‘In 2012 only 7 people were killed by sharks. That makes them more deadly than champagne corks. Every year, humans kill over 100 million sharks.’

Dolce and Gabbana, Milan 2011

Moschino, Los Angeles 2015

Moschino, London 2011

Chanel, Christmas, Paris 2011

Harrods, Chinese New Year, London 2013

Bergorf Goodman, New York 2010

Acclaimed window dresser David Hoey has been creating displays for 5th Avenue department store Begdorf Goodman since 1996. These are some of the most elaborate displays in the world, so much so that $550 will buy you a copy of the ‘Windows at Bergdorf Goodman’ coffee-table book.

Harrods ‘Wizard of Oz’ theme, Christmas, London 2009

Moschino at Selfridges, Art Directed by Edd West, London 2006

Moschino at Selfridges, Art Directed by Edd West, London 2006

Bonwit Teller, art directed by Andy Warhol, New York 1961

Gucci, selected stores 2015

Bonwitt Teller, art directed by Salvador Dali, New York 1936

Marc Jacobs, ‘South Park’ theme, New York 2012

Marc Jacobs, ‘South Park’ theme, New York 2012

This collaborative widow display appeared in MBMJ after Muscleman Marc joined Cartman’s toy collection. The small, muscular doll is modeled after the fashion designer with whom he shares his name, having been added to the series when the writers learned that Jacobs had tattoos of two of Cartman’s other toys - Rumpertumskin and Clyde Frog.

Barney’s, 60 Years of Chloe, New York 2013

Barney’s, 60 Years of Chloe, New York 2013

Fortnum and Mason, Alice in Wonderland theme, London 2006

Louis Vuitton, New York 2011

Louis Vuitton, art directed by Yayoi Kusama, New York 2012

Louis Vuitton, art directed by Yayoi Kusama, New York 2012

Bonwit Teller, per formative installation by Salvador Dali, New York 1939

During this performance, Dali smashed his way through the glass of Bonwitt Teller’s window. Although onlookers assumed this had been intentional, it was later revealed to have been an accident.

Prada Marfa, Texas 2005

Permanently installed sculpture ‘Prada Marfa’ by artists Elmgreen and Dragset, is situated 42km north-west of Marfa, Texas. The window features pieces from the fall/winter 2005 collection, handpicked by Miucca Prada herself.

Words by Niall Underwood

Sachal Sarmast

Sufi Sachal Sarmast – عظیم صوفی شاعر سچل سر مست

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خیرپور+گمبٹ – سندھ کے عظیم صوفی شاعر حضرت سچل سرمست کا 187 واں عرس درازہ شریف 14 رمضان المبارک کو شروع ہوگا۔ انتظامات کیلئے ای ڈی او ریونیو احمد علی قریشی کی صدارت میں سچل یادگار کمیٹی کی سب کمیٹی کا اجلاس ہوا جس میں صوفی راگ گانے والوں، ادیبوں، شاعروں اور نامور فنکاروں کی فہرست کو حتمی شکل دی گئی۔ سندھ کے وزیراعلیٰ سید قائم علی شاہ درگاہ پر پھولوں کی چادر چڑھا کر عرس کا افتتاح کریں گے۔ ثقافت اور سیاحت کے محکمے کی طرف سے نیشنل ادبی کانفرنس ہوگی۔ اجلاس میں عابدہ پروین، حمیرا چنہ، احمد مغل، صوفی شاعروں سہراب فقیر، موٹن شاہ، فقیر سوہنو، شمن فقیر، زاہدہ پروین، شاہدہ پروین اور دیگر فنکاروں کو دعوت دینے کا فیصلہ کیا گیا۔

***پیدائش : 1739

وفات : 1242 ھجری

سندھی زبان کے مشہور شاعر جو عرف عام میں ہفت زبان شاعر کہلاتے ہیں کیوں کہ آپ کا کلام سات زبانوں میں ملتا ہے۔ سچل سرمست کی پیدائش 1739ء میں سابق ریاست خیرپور کے چھوٹے گاؤں درازا میں ایک مذہبی خاندان میں ہوئی۔ان کا اصل نام تو عبدالوہاب تھا مگر ان کی صاف گوئی کو دیکھ کر لوگ انہیں سچل یعنی سچ بولنے والا کہنے لگے۔ بعد میں ان کی شاعری کے شعلے دیکھ کر انہیں سرمست بھی کہا گیا۔ سچل سرمست کی پیدائش سندھ کے روایتی مذہبی گھرانے میں ہوئی مگر انہوں نے اپنی شاعری میں اپنی خاندانی اور اس وقت کی مذہبی روایات کو توڑ کر اپنی محفلوں میں ہندو مسلم کا فرق مٹا دیا۔ان کے عقیدت مندوں میں کئی ہندو بھی شامل ہیں۔ سچل سرمست تصوف میں وحدت الوجود کے قائل تھے۔

شاہ عبدالطیف بھٹائی اور سچل سرمست کی زندگیوں میں ستر برس کا فاصلہ ہے۔ سچل ستر برس بعد جب صوفیانہ شاعری میں آیا تو ان کی وجدانیت بھی منفرد تھی۔ان کے ساتھ صوفی ازم کی موسیقی نے بھی سرمستی کا سفر کیا اور شاہ بھٹائی کے نسبتاً دھیمے لہجے والے فقیروں سے سچل کے فقیروں کا انداز بیان منفرد اور بیباک تھا۔

سچل سرمست نے سندھ کے کلہوڑا اور تالپور حکمرانوں کے ایسے دور اقتدار میں زندگی بسر کی جب مذہبی انتہاپسندی اپنے عروج پر تھی۔انہوں نے اپنے آس پاس مذہبی نفرتوں کو دیکھ کر سندھی میں کہا:

مذہبن ملک میں ماٹھو منجھایا، شیخی پیری بیحد بھلایا۔

جس کا سادہ ترجمہ اس طرح ہے کہ مذہبوں نے ملک میں لوگوں کو مایوس کیا اور شیخی، پیری نے انہیں بھول بھلیوں میں ڈال دیا ہے۔

سچل سرمست نوّے برس کی عمر میں 14 رمضان 1242ء ھجری میں وفات کر گئے۔وہ شادی شدہ تھے مگر ان کی کوئی اولاد نہیں ہے۔انہوں نے بنیادی عربی فارسی کی تعلیم اپنے خاندان کے بزرگ اپنے چچا مرشد اور سسر خواجہ عبدالحق سے حاصل کی۔سچل سرمست کا کلام سندھی، اردو، عربی، فارسی اور سرائیکی میں موجود ہے۔ انہیں اور ان کا کلام سنانے والے فقیروں کو سندھ میں ایک منفرد مقام اس لیے بھی حاصل ہے کہ کسی بھی محفل میں جب بھی مذہبی انتہا پسندی کو للکارا جاتا ہے تو آج بھی سہارا سچل کا لیا جاتا ہے۔

یہ معلومات وکیپیڈیا سے لی گئی ہے

***

Sachal Sarmast (1739-1829) (Sindhi: سچلُ سرمستُ ) (Urdu: سچل سرمست ) was a renowned Sindhi Sufi poet during the Kalhora era. Abdul Wahab was his real name and “Sachal” was the name he used in his own poetry. Sachu means truth in Sindhi and Sachalu means truthful. Sarmast means mystic in Sindhi and Urdu. Suchal Sarmast literally means ‘truthful mystic’. Sachal Sarmast was an ardent follower of Wahdat-ul-Wujood, an Islamic Philosophy synonymous with Hamah Oost.

Poetry of Sachal Sarmast
The brave speak the truth

Let others like it or not;

For the talk of false friendship we care not.

“Sarmast” (pronounced Sarimastu in Sindhi, meaning leader of the ‘intoxicated’ or ‘mad’) is the title often used by his followers. The title, given to him first by Agha Sufi, a compiler of his Risalo (collection of poems), refers to the fact that Sachal was intoxicated 

 

 

 

by love.

Sachal Sarmast was an ardent follower of Wahdat-ul-Wujood (unity of existence), an Islamic Philosophy synonymous with Hamah Oost (all from One), and Advaita Vedanta philosophy. The concept of Hamah Oost (all from One) is similar to that found in Advaita Vedanta philosophy. Sachal says (translation by Gul Agha):

There is no other Beloved,

There is only what I see everyday!

I was sitting by the roadside,

When the path became clear to me;

In the palace the Beloved I saw,

a glimpse the Beauty gave;

Through the window was the vision,

a glimpse the Beauty saw;

Take care of the ignorant;

Our bond was made for a reason.

I truly recognized the Lord,

My companion He sure became;

‘He is the Creator of all

and intrinsic to all’,

All doubts in this perished;

With happiness shall I carry

Sisters, if your trust I have.

All the journeys, all the manifestations

The Dear One’s own;

Friend ‘Sachal’ know this correctly,

Slumber has created illusions.

Like other sufis of Sindh, Sachal made no distinctions based on religion, but regarded love as the path to spirituality:

‘Tis not in religion I believe

‘Tis love I live in.

When love comes to you.

Say Amen!

‘Tis not with the infidel

that love resides

Nor with the faithful.

Rather, Sachal advocated self-realization as the path to liberation. Sachal says (translation by Jethmal Parsram Gulrajani):

O friend! this is the only way to learn

the secrets of the path:

Follow not the road of another, however

virtuous he may be.

Rend the veil over thee,

Searcher expose thy being.

Books on Sachal
Study of Mysticism in Darazi:
School of Sufi Thought:

Author: Dr.Sakhi Qabool Muhammad Faruqi: -Sajjada Nashin.: Publisher: Darazi Publications:

Priceless Pearls Picked from Wonderous Waters of Wisdom:
Author: Dr.Sakhi Qabool Muhammad Faruqi – Sajjada Nashin.:

SachalSarmast:
Edited by:Tanveer Abbasi: Publisher: Sachal Chair:

SachalJo Kalam urf Aashiqi Ilham (Sindhi):
Publisher: Sachal Chair:

Muntakhab alam Sachal Sarmast (Urdu):
Publisher: Sachal Chair:

Sachal Sarmast (Sindh):
Author – Jethmal Parsram : Publisher-Sachal Chair: Sarmast(Sindhi) Arrangedby: Muhammad Ali Hadaad Publisher: Sachal Sarmast Yadgar Committee.

Sachal Sarmast Ja Talib (Sindhi):
Author – Dr.Nawaz Ali Shauq: Publisher-Sachal Chair

The Seven Queens Of Sindh And Their Eternal Love Stories

The Seven Queens Of Sindh And Their Eternal Love  tories Through The Poetry Of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai

Since ages immemorial, women have been put forth only in terms of their acceptance of the society as it is and being the patrons of the patriarchal culture. However, a few pieces from literature inspire us to think otherwise; and, one such piece of literature is The Seven Queens of Sindh by the famous Sindhi Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. In this poem, he talks of seven queens who were valued as much for their poetry as their rejection of the conventional patriarchal scheme of life and choosing freedom and love over everything else. Let’s us have a look at these seven princesses who were glorified by Shah Latif.

1. Sorath

This is one of the most appreciated and historical tales included in The Seven Queens of Sindh by Shah Latif, and has been retold again and again in Sind as an exemplification of true love and chastity. The tale is about Sorath, the wife of Rai Diyach of Girnar (Now in Gujarat) who happily lets go of her life for the love of her husband, hoping to get reunited with him in the land of the dead!

2. Lilan

If the other poems traces the life of passionate and love-stricken princesses and maidens, this poem traces that of pleasure-stricken and spoiled wife of Raja Chanesar, Lilan. In her love and greed for a necklace worth Rupees 900,000 in those days, she eagerly allowed the lady-owner of that necklace, in return of the prized possession, to spend a night with her husband. However, the poem isn’t all about lovelessness. The poem’s true worth comes out in the part where she goes through all the pains and atrocities of nature to purify herself and get her husband back!

3. Sohni

That love can transgress all the boundaries imposed by the civilized society is exemplified the best through this tragic tale of love and love alone! Sohni is a beautiful but hapless wife of a person who is entangled in a loveless wedlock. However, she finds her true love in Mehar, to meet whom, she swims across a river every single night. And, though through the treachery of her sister-in-law she couldn’t be reunited with Meher, she does so through death, and herein lays the charm and tragedy of the tale!

4. Noori

We come across this defiant young woman in the poem Noori Jam Tamachi. She’s a young and beautiful fisherwoman who catches the attention of Prince Jam Tamchi and leads him to fall in love with her instantly. But, it was her humility, her obedience and her unending love for the prince that made him put her as his best bride, ahead of all the royal ladies in her palace. In fact, if you visit the Kalri Lake in Pakistan, you’ll be able to see Noori’s grave situated almost at the middle of the lake!

5. Sassi

The story, reiterated again and again in the land of Sind, Pakistan, is about a faithful wife who’s ready to succumb to all the evils and wrath of Gods to get back her husband who’s been captured by rivals. Shah Latif sees her journey as a mystical one that people who’re on a quest to seek for God have to go through! Sassi and Phunnun’s love story is an epitome of true and eternal love that can ravish and demolish all the odds and evils.

6. Momal Rano

Shah Latif’s Momal Rano throws a light on the life of Mumal, a dangerous but supremely beautiful courtesan who was left by her lover Rano on the presumption that she had cheated on him. And, what follows thereafter was a poignant saga of love where she undertakes all the treachery and difficulty of life to prove the purity and truth of her love. This ballad from Sind has been sung numerous times as an example of true love that can turn all the impossibilities into a passé.

7. Marui

The story about Marui appears in Umar-Marvi or Marui which forms one of the seven parts of the poem by Shah Latif. In this tragic love story, we come across Marvi, a simple village maiden who rejects all the pomp and pompousness of staying like a Goddess at the grand palace and literally puts up a fight against the powerful king to be with her love, Umar and amongst her own village folk!

The same story appeared numerous times in different anthologies and was even adapted as a TV series by Pakistan Television Corporation in 1993.

Home is Where The Heart Is

August 30, 2009 By L-J
Filed Under: Contemporary Romance, Marcy Bassett-Kennedy, Short Stories

“I’ll see you Thursday night, Jess,” Jack Maguire said to his wife. He wiped a smudge of baby food from her cheek before pressing his lips to hers.
It was their usual Sunday night routine. Saying goodbye.
Their youngest, baby Ella, bounced in her mother’s arms until her dad leaned over and planted a raspberry on her cheek eliciting squeals of delight.
Jessica’s lips curled despite the heaviness in her heart.
As a pharmaceutical sales person, travel was a part of Jack’s job description that she’d grown to accept. But it didn’t make saying goodbye any easier.
After smothering their other two kids in hugs and kisses, Jack hopped into the waiting hired car with a wave and a smile. Jessica’s stomach clenched as she thought about how exciting his life on the road must be—business meetings with doctors, dinner at new restaurants every evening, nights spent in luxurious hotels.
After their oldest, Connor, was born, Jessica made the decision to quit her job as a nurse and stay home full time. Now with three kids under five, she still loved every moment of her time at home. But that was her. Whenever she said goodbye to Jack she couldn’t help wondering if he found their home life dull compared to his travels.
Did he look forward to getting back on the road?
Jessica felt a tug on her pant leg pulling her back from her worries.
“Can I have a drink?” asked three year old Zoë.
“Of course, Sweetie,” Jessica replied as she patted the girl’s curly blonde head. She grabbed three plastic cups from the cupboard, and as she poured a round of apple juice for the masses her concerns about Jack were quickly forgotten.
On Monday night, the phone rang at precisely six o’clock. Jessica’s heart pounded with anticipation. Whenever he traveled, Jack always managed to sneak away and call home at the same time. No matter what.
When she picked up the phone, Jessica could barely hear him over the raised voices and clinking of silverware on dishes. He was at dinner with clients.
The kids jumped at her legs anxious to talk to Daddy. After each had their turn, Connor passed her the phone. “It’s your turn, Mommy.”
But as soon as she raised it to her ear, she heard Jack say, “Sorry, hun. Gotta go.”  He was practically shouting to be heard. “Dr. Watts is about to leave, and I haven’t gotten a commitment from him yet. I’ll call you tomorrow. Love you.”
She let out a heavy breath but told herself she could wait until tomorrow to tell him about Zoe’s attempt to dress the cat in a princess gown and tiara.
But on Tuesday evening, Jessica returned home at six-ten following what was supposed to be a quick stop at the grocery store—an impossibility with three kids in tow—to find a message from Jack.
“I won’t be able to call back tonight,” his voice rang out. “The only time Dr. Bryson can meet with me is this evening. Kisses and hugs to everyone.” He sounded distracted, as though he was in a hurry to get off the phone.
Her heart sunk.
The tiara story really isn’t that exciting anyway.
On Wednesday evening, six o’clock came and went with no phone call. Even though she knew he was due home the next night, disappointment weighed heavy in her chest. Her first instinct was to worry. He’d never missed a call before. Had something happened?
Calm down. He’s probably busy with a client, her common sense told her.
But then that meant he’d gotten too busy or just forgot to call.
Either option caused her heart to tighten uncomfortably. But she tried to ignore the sensation as she joined in the kids’ lively dinnertime conversation.
A few hours after the kids were asleep Jessica heard a noise at the front door. Her heart thudded in her chest. Who could it be? She wasn’t expecting anyone.
Wiping her dish soapy hands on a towel, she walked cautiously to the front window to check it out.
But before she reached the foyer, the door swung open and Jack walked into the house. Jessica’s breath caught in her throat, and she rushed to her husband throwing her arms around his neck.
“You’re early!” she mumbled into his shoulder. Her heart sped like crazy—partly from surprise but mostly due to the thrill of seeing Jack.
“I couldn’t stand the thought of being away for another night, so I squeezed all of my appointments into three days. That’s why I’ve been so busy.”
And he couldn’t call tonight because he’d been on a plane, she realized. A pang of guilt gripped her stomach. How could she have doubted him?
He dropped his small suitcase and returned her embrace with both arms. “I’ve had enough stuffy business dinners and lonely hotel stays to last a life time.”
“I thought you liked traveling,” she said tentatively.
Jack pulled back and looked into her eyes. “The only part I like about being away is coming home to you and the kids.”
A wave of relief washed over her leaving a warm glow in its wake. Feeling closer to Jack than ever before, Jessica leaned in and pressed her lips to his.
When she pulled away, she couldn’t help smiling. “Do you want to hear what Zoë did to the cat on Monday?” she asked.
And as they cuddled up on the couch together, the sparkle she saw in Jack’s blue eyes as she talked about their life, their children left no doubt in her mind.
Home really is where his heart is.

The End