On graffiti in Indus Valley & more

Ceasefire // Palestinian joy is the Weekmaker. Now and forever ❤️🤍💚🖤

This ceasefire comes with mixed feelings, yes. But whether we celebrate, or whether we remain cautious, it is important to always follow the lead of the Palestinians. In Gaza, in West Bank, in wherever else. When they erupt in joy, so should we. When they mourn, so should we. When they scream in anger, so should we. There is no need whatsoever to put our analysis of a situation over theirs.

But above it all, don’t ever look away again. Everything has been sacrificed to bring the Palestinian cause to a stage where things can and will not go back to what they were. Carry on the awareness, carry on the boycotts, carry on the amplification of their voices. It is never occupation as usual ever again.

And on that note, Israel continues to kill in Gaza despite the ceasefire, and has arbitrarily detained 60 people the day after releasing 90. Their PM has also just announced a new offensive in Jenin that has killed 6 and injured over 30 in the last few hours.

So, until liberation 🍉

Memories by Safia Latif // This gorgeous oil painting on Palestine is so tender and intimate. But in the context of the title she gave it and the destruction of Gaza, it’s also very heartbreaking.

Zaffit El Tahrer // The very iconic, very catchy Palestinian song released in 2021 is set to the visuals of Gazans celebrating victory. Play it on repeat for me please, thank you.

Cracking the Harappan script // MK Stalin, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, announced a $1m prize for anyone who can decipher the script of the Indus civilization. The announcement follows a study linking Indus Valley signs to graffiti found in the south Indian state, establishing the presence of cultural contact between the two regions.

Samar Khan climbs highest peak in South America // The Pakistani adventure athlete conquered Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America, alongside a team of nine women this week.

Pre-partition place of worship demolished // The local administration in Daska demolished an Ahmadi mosque built by Pakistan's first foreign minister, Zafarullah Khan, citing encroachment on a public road.

Bookstores are back, baby // Amidst a growing trend of people moving away from digital sources of entertainment, bookstores are making a killing. While this isn’t really a well-researched piece, and we don’t know how much of this applies to independent stores, but I’ve been seeing a lot of similar stuff in the news so I’ll take it!

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You fall in love with your neighbor // Taylor is probably the only white creator I still follow on Instagram - I moved most of my content creator type follows to TikTok so my Instagram feed is more personal, and TikTok is more entertainment & education. But yeah, his stuff is just so great and this is such a fun watch.

Grill Patterns by Tulika Shrivastava // This Indian designer has been documenting grill patterns in the form of pixel art wherever she goes.

Kirwani Carom Board by SHED // I have a growing obsession with Indian design studios which is also v unhealthy because it’s obviously one-sided. But honestly how do you look at work like this and not fall in love with them?

Milwaukee Transit Passes // The city of Milwaukee produced some gorgeous weekly transit passes from the 1930s to the 70s, designed and printed in-house by The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company. This is a collection of 300 of those passes.

The Mobobloc Chair // Who’d have thought those ugly plastic lawn chairs are also the world’s most popular?

Sexual fluidity of the Mughals // This isn’t really news to anyone who’s done a little bit of extra study on the emperors, but the narrative this piece puts together is so mazaydaar. Also, did you know there are two separate historical narratives that claim Anarkali was actually a young man?

This week I learned none of the mainstream Pakistani brands make blue sweaters anymore. Like, none. I am the source of this FACT because I went out to find one plain sweater three days in a row and there’s NOTHING. I don’t want edgy words on them I don’t want a cartoon at the back PLEASE just give me a plain sweater I am begging.

In other news, this newsletter will be on break for the next few weeks as I’ll be traveling. So until next month, shab bakhair 🌅🤍

If you want to talk about my work, bounce some ideas, or just have a casual chat fangirling over a film, feel free to schedule a jam session with me here.