Hall of Fame: Kamila Shamsie

Kamila Shamsie at Asia House

Internationally successful writer, Kamila Shamsie sat with the Chatterjis for a wee interview at the end of her event at the Asia House Bagri Foundation Literature Festival 2014. Quality literature could be Pakistan’s second biggest export after Mangoes and Kamila Shamsie’s work sits on the most coveted international shortlists. Calm, confident and endearing, Kamila gave a wonderful interview and we hope you enjoy it:

You live and work between three locations in three different countries, what aspects do you enjoy and dislike?

Now I only live in London, I used to live in Karachi, London and upstate New York. But now I live in London the most. What I love most about Karachi is that it’s home, it’s where I grew up it’s familiar. My family is there, the sea is there so it’s everything I’ve grown up with. So Karachi is in the way you love your childhood. And London I love in the way I embrace…the future I suppose.

Do you describe yourself a feminist/ what does the term mean to you?

I absolutely describe myself as a feminist. What it means to me is…being against patriarchy, there are more complicated ways of that. We live in a society that is structured in an unjust way and that’s wrong and should be changed.
What do you think identity means today for yourself as a dual citizen and for British born Asians?

Stirling Prize for Architecture 2013

Wow, what an amazing renovation to a crumbling old castle that was once home to no less than three queens!!

Astley Castle won this year’s most coveted award in architecture, the Stirling Prize.  The castle in Warwickshire was renovated by Witherford Watson Mann architects at a cost of £2.5 million.  The architects married amazing contemporary features with the original 800 year old stone work

White Teeth

Yours, not Zadie Smith’s…. I’ve become mildly obsessed with teeth whitening these days.  This is possibly due to it being Summer and my desire to wear the new peach and pink lippies and my belief that these shades look best paired with white teeth, however, I am generally obsessed with white teeth.

Americans are often appalled by British teeth and we Brits roll our eyes

77 Year Drought Ended!

Wowwwww, Murray the Champ and I was there! I won £250 and got a pea-sized photo of Andy with his trophy (damn my rubbish phone!!)

What a fabulous day it was.  We drank champagne, ate bland sandwiches for £10 and we burned and burned in the searing heat. But it was all worth it

A Perfume for a Little Princess

Quintessential British heritage brand, Penhaligon’s, is launching a new Eau de Parfum on Monday called Vaara, inspired by the Royal House of Marwar-Jodphur in Rajasthan. The scent came about after His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II desired a scent to commemorate the birth of his granddaughter, Vaara (as one does).

Created by Master Perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour

RiRi for River Island

The latest British High Street chain to offer a celebrity collaboration is River Island who commissioned Rihanna and her stylist to design a 120 piece collection.  Debuting at London Fashion Week this was an extremely high profile launch for the range.

Just In Case…..

News out today is that British Pregnancy Advisory Service will be sending out contraception packs called “Just In Case”. In the pack will be the morning after pill and a couple of condoms all sent by post for free for Londoners during the summer months. The reason; apparently our health services are going to be so overwhelmed that they will not be able to service the numerous unsafe promiscuous encounters that may take place during the Olympics.

The slogan: “just because your car has a spare tyre, doesn’t mean you want to get a puncture”.

The Snooping Charter

The so called “Snooping Charter” will be announced in next month’s Queen’s Speech to heighten surveillance on the British public in a definitive aim to bring down crime such as paedophile rings and terrorism.

 

 

 

 

 

 

British Bunting

Bunting is so popular in Britain, I wonder if anywhere else in the world use it unanimously as we do. The red, white and blue flags are parading high streets, side streets, mews and closes  as people prepare to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee.

Key Dates In British History

Professor David Abulafia from Cambridge University suggests there are 31 key dates that every pupil should know to be able to join up British history. How many dates do you know?

See timeline below.

Au Revoir To Mademoiselle

The French have addressed feminism calls to abolish the term Mademoiselle from official documents as it is deemed sexist. Prime minister Francois Fillon said the word discriminates against women by asking them to reveal if they are married. He has also banned the phrase ‘nom de jeune fille’ meaning ‘maiden name’ from all paperwork because it is ‘archaic’ and has ‘connotations of virginity’.

It was a major victory for French feminists yesterday when the change was revealed in an official decree to ministries and regional authorities.

W.E. Means Worst Ever

Madonna’s film W.E. has been savaged by film critics all over the world.

Has anyone seen it?

Sober Up

Drinking alcohol is ingrained into British culture as much as having a cup of tea. We are known for our communities centring on pubs and it isn’t unusual to go for a quick drink before dinner or going home. Even modern Asian households have incorporated this part of British culture into their lives.

Amidst ministers calling for a review of the drinking guidelines to encourage people not drink at least 2 days out of 7, what I find fascinating is how we as a country have slipped into drinking wine like the French. It is on the dinner table and families are used to having a glass or two a night.

15 Minute Trifle

If you are looking for a scrumptious dessert that takes very little time then here it is. Blueberry Trifle, Nigella Lawson style (it’s not her recipe though).

Calling Mr Vain

A new report claimed that British men spend longer than British women on personal grooming, coming from a family full of vain men I could have told them that.  I can’t comment too much, I take ages … the words ‘quick’ and ‘shower’ do not ever go together.

Imagine that this survey was of British men, not traditinally known

British Pakistanis Discuss

Yesterday evening the RSA hosted an event with the practical title of: British Pakistanis and Pakistan: 21st century citizenship and diasporas.  I attended with my sister and although the event was disappointingly less the promised discussion and more a lecture it was interesting and I recommend listening to the panel here.  There was an assumption that British Pakistanis should give two hoots about Pakistan, a country that some of them have never even visited and a country that doesn’t care about the diaspora unless it’s for hand-me-outs or arranged marriages.

It was fascinating to hear

Forget Debt, Think Chocolate

Who cares about the national debt? A pleasant distraction from the doom and gloom comes from The Chocolate Tasting Club: a British premium chocolate club that sends a hand-picked monthly selection of delicious chocolates right to your door/desk.

Doggy Bag Please!

Are you too embarrassed to ask for a doggy bag for your left over food in a restaurant? A survey compiled by the Sustainable Restaurant Association revealed that at least 25% of us are to shy to ask for a doggy bag whereas our friends across the Atlantic regard doggy bags as a norm.

They’re Just Not Funny!

Have you noticed the lack of funny Asians lately?  Before you whip up the comments about the fabulous Goodness Gracious Me, may I remind you that it was written in 1996.  Nineteen ninety-six!  Asian stand-ups are uninspiring, I haven’t heard of anyone funny in ages.

I haven’t seen new comedy duo Asian Provocateurs yet

Carry On Camping

Until this weekend, I never understood the appeal or desire of the British to go camping. I am now a converted camper and will be taking my children, on this inexpensive and fun family holiday, regularly. Whilst I don’t think I will ever be a diehard camper, like some of the friends we went with, who spend fortnights on a campsite.  I most certainly am able to spend a few weekends of the year sleeping in a tent and taking in the lovely outdoors.

AV Or Not AV

British politics may change forever if the Alternative Vote is voted for on May 5th. Nick Clegg has been publicising AV prior to the general election and this coalition government was formed on the agreement that a referendum on this voting reform would take place.

Are you confused about the Alternative Vote? The following link explains it in 2 minutes.

http://addmysupport.com/guides/the_alternative_vote_av_explained_in_2_minutes?gclid=CO7zrJHazKgCFUEa4Qodel23ow

Marry Her Or Else…..

The plot thickens as the courts hears today of how Shrien Dewani wanted out of his marriage with Anni Dewani. The full story can be read   at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/03/shrien-dewani-incriminated-by-witness

Nation of Home Owners

Britain was once a nation of shop keepers. She is now a nation of home owners. The British people have gone from sellers to buyers within 100 years.