Page 58 - English Tehelka Issue 5 - March 15, 2018

OpiniOn
dilemmas
HumrA
QurAISHI
The Delhi-based writer
and columnist’s books
include kashmir: the
Untold story. She co-
authored a series of
writings with the late
Khushwant Singh and
her short stories are
part of anthologies.
The views expressed
are her own
58-59 Opinion Humra.indd 2-3
media
A young woman’s quest to people aware of the best in arts;
to give space to new voices in this
spread art and literature field; to identify the important stuff
that’s taking place in this sphere; to
build a community of like-minded
individuals who are passionate
about arts and see them as the
Only in her early thirties, Shireen Quadri, despite many odds, is summum bonum of their lives…The
passionately producing a monthly magazine that is indeed a idea is to make it self-sustainable
over a period of time; the idea is
much-needed treasure trove for those who love art and literature to build a space for this. Since our
resources are limited, we do limited
stuff. We are choosy, but we are
hough I’m not a feminist, I ney. Her simple philosophy, along trying to bridge that gap. We strive
definitely respect women the clichéd taking one step at a time, to acknowledge and appreciate the
who are struggling to make relays much. To quote her — “I’m from established voices as well as identify
it to the top with sheer grit Jharkhand. I did my schooling from and promote the emerging talents
and that too with undying Mount Carmel, Dhanbad, and moved in every field.”
T determination to let noth- to Delhi to pursue graduation from Shireen sounds determined to
ing come in the way of their dreams. Miranda House. Then I went to Mum- carry on, to take her digital maga-
Recently, I came across such a bai University for my post-graduation. zine to greater heights, along that
woman, Shireen Quadri — the founder Briefly, I worked with Greenpeace India. undying earnestness cum com-
publisher of The Punch Magazine. It’s a A little later, I moved to Delhi and got mitment that dreams ought to be
monthly digital magazine started by her into the marketing and publicity of fulfilled, no matter what hurdles
just about a year back. books in trade publishing. My last job stand in the way or what punches
And as I went through the latest issue was at Simon & Schuster India. Some • art smart such platforms…I’m often asked: new venture. It is the warmth and come along the way!
of Punch, dated January 2018, with ac- of the well-known authors I’ve worked Shireen Quadri, ‘what is your business model? Have generosity of like-minded people, Her rationale — “I’d say the strug-
tress and activist Lisa Ray pouting on its with are Vikas Swarup, Ashwin Sanghi, the founder you started making money?’ I un- I believe, that will help the maga- gle is a part of any such venture
cover and her never-before published Amish Tripathi, Kishwar Desai …All this publisher of derstand that it’s difficult to believe zine stem any tide. I have immense dedicated to arts. It’s a self-funded
poems spread out in the inner confines while, I did enjoy my work, but I could The Punch that at this stage of my career when faith in our collective vision and initiative. I have been using my sav-
of the magazine, I was left absolutely see that the space in mainstream media Magazine, is I should essentially be focusing on collaborations.” ings. It’s extremely tough, I’d admit…
impressed. This digital magazine not for literature and arts was shrinking and focused on making money, I am spending my On the journey ahead, she It needs a lot of determination, ob-
just carries the exclusive, it even looks to get space for some of the best books promoting arts limited savings, time and energy on details: “The challenge is to make stinacy and tenacity to keep up. My
different, suave and sleek. was becoming a challenge. It was the and literature a project that does not guarantee the project sustainable; to make husband has been very supportive.
I got in touch with Shireen Quadri same in arts. There had to be a medium financial rewards. But it’s also true We have a five-year-old son and if
and asked her the crucial question that could bridge this gap. And that’s that The Punch Magazine is not I’m busy with my work or travelling
—‘why’. Why did she think of starting how I thought along the lines of starting a business prospect. I would like on work related trips, my husband
this magazine exclusively for the arts this magazine.” people to see it as an altruistic arts Festivals of takes care of him.”
and literature, music and poetry? And Quite obviously it couldn’t have been and culture project.” literature, arts, • • •
there she was with this stark ground easy; not to be overlooked is the fact She also detailed those excep- I have been sitting introspecting:
reality — “In the last couple of years, the that Shireen is in her early 30s, has a tions without which things would food, travel, dance, why don’t we encourage more and
number of literature, arts, food, travel, family to take care of and the fact that have been tougher. “It has not been music, theatre more young women to start off, get
dance, music, theatre and film festivals she’s doing something so very refresh- easy but the immense support and — set — going with their dreams!
have mushroomed. From September to ingly different is a challenge in itself. contributions from the writers and and films have Why should they go running after
March, almost every weekend has some How tough and rough has it been for arts community has been a great mushroomed. But the traditional set of careers when
festival or event. But when it comes to her to start and sustain a magazine of source of encouragement. Some there are so offbeat options out
the coverage of arts and literature in this calibre? very kind words from arts and when it comes to there.All that one needs is self -con-
the mainstream media, there’s hardly “To work tirelessly without any culture enthusiasts have been said their coverage in fidence and a compatible compan-
anything raring to be different. There’s money is not easy, especially when one about the magazine. The support ion to give that cushioning. I believe
no single platform that chronicles the doesn’t belong to the city. I love chal- from similar sectors has been pour- mainstream media, that emotional support is far more
global profusion in arts and literature, lenges and I believe in hard work. But ing in. A number of well-known there’s hardly crucial than financial support, espe-
which serves as a one-stop destina- what has been really tough is the gen- authors, art enthusiasts, established cially if you going up a new path and
tion for everything exciting about arts eral attitude that only the mainstream travel, lifestyle and food writers anything raring to too along an unfamiliar terrain.
around the globe,” she said. media matters. The literature, arts and have been generous enough to
I had to ask her about her jour- culture sectors should ideally nurture be the contributing editors of this be different letters@tehelka.com
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