Safr-e-Jawedan

A variation of the dancer (go to http://headbump.blogspot.com.au/)appears on her first book cover. :)



Book name: Safr-e-Jawedan (The never ending journey)


Author: Rafaqat Javed (my mother :))


The cover illustrates the core theme of the book, ‘A woman’s never ending journey to achieve a balance in her (married) life’, using Mehndi (a symbol largely employed to mark the beginning of an eastern marriage) designs to tell the story of the victory and defeat, courage and fear, good and evil that a typical eastern woman experiences in her life.


All earnings from this and future books by the author go to Rashidabad (http://www.rashidabad.org/).
 
Stolen from: http://headbump.blogspot.com.au/

Don't Like Comics? Go Die!

Of late, I've been criticized a number of times because of my interest in comics, animated series, and everything to do with them. A few people just shake their heads, some genuinely can't believe and a few just smile sarcastically; in a nut-shell, they think I'm immature. The funny thing is that my gora acquaintances seem to find this normal whereas my countrymen seem to bear the notion that it's something which is just for children and hence should be left behind once we 'grow up'. 


But when do we really grow up? Does it happen overnight? Do we have to eat something that'll make us 'mature' in these peoples' eyes? Is it really impossible to still be a fan of Superman and Batman at 26? I don't think so. I think it's a very myopic and pedestrian way of looking at art in general. Sadly, these very people tend to criticize other forms of art, be it music, comics, paintings, or every possible thing they cannot begin to understand. No wonder we've gone back to the Dark Ages. 


As far as comics are concerned, who the hell said they were made for kids? Batman is one of the darkest characters in the comic world with very strong themes that children wouldn't even begin to understand. 'The Killing Joke', 'The Long Halloween', 'Batman: Hush' are just a few titles which should be kept miles away from kids. Spawn is another character whose disturbing as hell. There are hundreds of examples but I guess you get the idea - all comics are NOT for kids, and are in fact meant for a more 'mature' audience. Besides, all artists are adults and 'grown-ups' so bugger off please. 

Want your kids to read THAT??!

If there's any way of killing the brain, it's not by smoking weed but by becoming 'mature' enough for the society to accept us as adults. Well, screw you society; no way in hell am I going to stop my imagination from running wild. I wish I could draw as well as Hamster, pretty sure there would've been a lot of crazy stuff in my uni registers. The most beautiful thing anyone can do is to let their minds go free. Only when our thinking is free to wander in areas considered taboo by our society, will we be capable of bringing about a change. 


I tend to get away with Fantasy novels because they're books without pictures in them hence passing off as 'mature'. The minute these nincompoops get to know of its nature, off they go. How can one deny the class of J. R. R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings', or Frank Herbert's Dune series? Only pricks can, and guess what...they do!

Now don't get me wrong, I completely forgive people who haven't been able to develop an interest in this genre of literature but still indulge in book reading, or anything that keeps their brains jogging, and realize how important art is for a healthy mind and being. The idiots who piss me off are the self-proclaimed moronic 'critics' who browse Facebook all day long, watching idiotic videos, sharing goofy pictures, and waiting for people to like or post comments on the crap they share. 


I pity the people who don't have interests and activities in life. There's a high chance they'll lead an unproductive, robot-like, depressive life with zero goals and an incapacity to be a source of inspiration for others. 


It's only been a few months since I moved to Melbourne. Initially, I had a horrible time adjusting to the loneliness and routine that I had got myself in. I had become so dependent on people and that solely was my idea of fun. The ability of spending time with oneself is absolutely invaluable, and should be a source of envy for a lot those who don't have it. If it wasn't for my interest in music, books and comics, I seriously doubt I would've been able to live out these past months at peace. Activities, and of course the unrelenting support I've had from everyone that matters, has helped me grow mentally strong. 


For as long as I keep indulging in comics and cartoons, people will always look at me through weird and unknowing spectacles. Well, keep at it - I don't give a shit. Yes, Supes wears his underwear over his tights but then he also flies and shoots laser beams from his eyes. Can you? In my own imaginative world, I certainly can!

Immaturity is not in following what interests us, it actually resides in having a penchant for passing shallow, baseless and pathetic judgments. Reading comics does not make me immature; it helps me appreciate life, and gears up my mind for crazier and newer thoughts. 


I hope all of us get a chance to imagine crazy things and think freely at least once in life. It's an experience everyone should have. Good luck to those who already practice it; you guys are a huge source of inspiration and motivation for me. 


"Reality continues to ruin my life." ~ Bill Watterson (Creator of 'Calvin & Hobbes' comic strip)


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