Greetings

The Year Has Nearly Ended
2008!

Another Year is Starting
2009!

We Listened to Music . . .
We Had Hopes . . .
We Were Ambitious . . .
We Traveled . . .
We Got Excited . . .
We Faced Hardships . . .
We Were Surprised . . .

In 2009
Let us Reflect on Nature
Let us not Assume, but Make Sure
Let us not Lose Hope
Let us Take a Break from the World

Let us . . .

Relax,
Close Our Eyes,
Indulge in Beauty

Let Your Hopes and Health Linger
Let Seriousness Turn into Laughter
(*_*) -- (*_*)

Wishing You a Glamorous New Year

Wafaa' Al-Natheema
http://insonewsletter.blogspot.com/
http://wafaasportfolio.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/INEAS
http://zanjabeel-saffron.blogspot.com/
http://zennobia.blogspot.com/

الى بغداد

بغدادي بصباح كحدّ الخنجر------ وليل برقة الحب والعنبر
بغدادي أسأل عنها الفراتَ ------ ودجلة تلاقيا بخصرأنحر
أخفي حبي لبغداد فيُخفيني* ------- حتى صار الحبُّ الأكبر
بغدادُ الحبّ الجمال والأصل -----الذي تتبعه الفروع الأصغر
كانت بالأمس هكذا، واليوم ---- تحتضر، شوقا ليوم منتظر
يومَ يعودُ أمسُها غدا ويكون -------- روضُها قد عاد وأزهر

يفضحني *

حقوق النشر محفوظة لوفاء النظيمة ، 2008

(c) Copyright, Wafaa' Al-Natheema, 2008

Arabian Perfumes

by Sumaiya Ali

Something that captivates our mind, rejuvenates our senses and bestows a feeling of freshness and energy just through its aroma is Perfume. It also finds numerous depictions in the Hadiths of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).

Born with spicy and herbal flavors, the Arab fragrance grew to discover the sweet flowery scents of Saffron and Rose. Further with the discovery of woody oils like Sandalwood and Agarwood (known as Dahnel Oudh) a tantalizing new era was begun. Since then the Arab perfume industry has evolved and made certain changes to accommodate the varying tastes of their clientele.

Syed Junaid Alam

Celebrated by the names of 'Junaid for Perfumes' and 'Attar Al Bahrain', Syed Junaid Alam WLL is the oldest and largest manufacturer of perfume in the GCC and has three perfumery units in Bahrain. Founded by Syed Junaid Alam the brand,which began as a small shop in the Manama souk at the beginning of the 20th century, has transformed itself into a scentsational trendsetter with more than 120 retail outlets spanning the Middle East, Pakistan, Turkey and with plans to spread out to North America and the Far East.

The brands of Junaid Perfumes are sold exclusively at its outlets and also include solid and oil perfumes, Bakhoor and Bridal Gift sets. Among the perfumes produced are Banafsaj Baadiah, Lamsat Dhahabiya and Fanan which is the first shimmer based perfume in the Gulf. “Apart from that we also have introduced gel based fragrances that not only appeal to the women of today but also to youngsters," says Mr. Hamad Fuad, Director Sales and Marketing.

"Each product is carefully developed that reflects its name and is in accord with its design, colors and aromatic characteristics, resulting in a distinctive brand," informs Mr. Hamad. Junaid Perfumes outlets in Bahrain can be found at Manama Souk, Bab Al Bahrain, Sheraton Mall, Riffa Souk, Isa town Mall, Seef Mall, Al Aali Complex, Muharraq Souk, Hamad Town Souk, Riffa Bukuwara, Sitra Mall and City Centre.

Reehat Al Atoor

Inspired by the Arabic culture on his arrival to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mr. Rajesh Khanna set up Reehat Al Atoor in 1989 as a pastime which flourished into a family business over the past two decades. This perfume house, based in Salmabad, produces traditional as well as international scents and a combination of the two. These perfumes derived from the natural essences reflect the Arab culture and heritage from its flavor to the finished packaging. Maraya (meaning mirror in Arabic) is their latest French flavor and comes with a total mirrored finish.

With exclusive showrooms at Sheraton Complex, Dana Mall, Gold City and Riffa Bukuwara, Reehat Al Atoor has also been successful in unveiling its own line at the Bahrain Duty Free in 2001 and exporting its products to Russia in 2008. Every few months there are product launches and the company plans to set up a larger plant to satisfy the growing demand of its consumers. Newly appointed General Manger Mr. Shahnawaz, with extensive experience in the Business Expansion of Perfumery in the Middle East aims to increase the outlets in Bahrain to 10 by the end of the year and expand to the Gulf Council of Countries (GCC) over the next year.

The company owns more than 100 brand names and sells well-known perfumes as Oudh Al Mumlika, Turath, Dahne’l Oudh, Durrat Al Bahrain (Arab and Oriental), Déjà vu (French), Fidha (French) and Majmoo’athal Bahrain. Reehat Al Atoor also operates two Jeweler subsidiaries in Bahrain by names of ‘Jewel House’ and ‘Jaff Jewelers’ that specialize in Diamond Wedding Sets and Long earrings (Chandeliers). They also sell precious stones like Sapphire, Emeralds, Rubies and semi-precious stones like Amethyst, Topaz, Turquoise, Citrine etc.

Amouage

The House of Amouage was founded 25 years ago by the late Sayyid Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi on the request of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the ruler of the Sultanate of Oman, to reflect the wonderful heritage and traditions of his country for creating the finest, exotic and unique perfumes and for giving them as gifts to honored guests. Traditionally offered by the Royal family and senior Government Ministers of Oman to heads of state during official visits Amouage also has a stellar following around the world including Royals, global leader and some of the most celebrated names in entertainment and sports.

The Amouage fragrances use a number of significant indigenous ingredients like the finest Silver Frankincense, which grows only in the Dhofar Mountains in Southern Oman. The incredibly rare Omani Rock Rose, which flowers for the briefest of periods each year in the mountains of Jebel Al Akdhar. The first Amouage fragrance was created by French Master perfumer Guy Robert who scoured the world for the finest ingredients, over 120 of which were used in his masterpiece ‘Amouage Gold’ which still is Amouage’s best selling fragrance.

Amouage currently includes fragrances, a Bath and Body Collection, an entirely new Home Collection of parfums d’ambience and the latest fragrances inspired by the Rose ‘Lyric Woman’ and ‘Lyric Man’.


Ajmal

Having been in the fragrance business for 56 years Ajmal was primarily based around Oudh and its varying uses within the realm of perfumery and its primary fragrance range consisted of mainly oriental concentrates. Sarah, launched in 1992, was the first product of its kind to successfully blend eastern and western elements together and is till date used as a benchmark in creating fusion blends. There are other classics like Dahn Al Oudh Moattaq, Dahn Oudh Al Shams to name but a few.

With over 100 outlets in the Middle East, Ajmal was amongst the first to successfully introduce Dahn Al Oudh and Mukhallat in a spray form in 1987. It was the only perfume company to be listed in the ‘Forbes Arabia Top 40 Arab Brands’ in 2007 and was placed at 23rd position. The verdict was based on consumer perception as well as the ability of the brands to adapt to the rapidly changing environment. Ajmal takes care of the environment and involves in human welfare too.

Outlets of Ajmal can be found at Seef Mall, Bahrain Mall, Sitra Mall, Gosi Complex, Bab Al Bahrain, Riffa, Muharraq Souk and through retailers like Carrefour, Lulu hypermarket and other major retailers within Bahrain.

Designer Shaik

Designer Shaik Inc. is a luxury brand company involved in the designing, outsourcing and production of its own high end fashion products that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Mystical Arabia. Established in 2002 the company has headquarters in Bahrain with a network of registered offices in North America, Europe and Asia headed by the CEO and Founder Mr. Mohammed Al Asfoor. It produces a line of perfume for both women and men, along with fashion accessories, jewellery and watches and mainly markets to the Middle East & Europe.

People buying a Designer Shaik product feel they are buying a piece of ancient mythical Arabia. The beautiful and sensuous fragrances include the Opulent and Chic range with the purest essential oils from France blended with exquisite elements from Arabia. These Arabian scents are hand made using the finest and rarest of ingredients

Designer Shaik has a range of perfume gifts by the name of ‘Jewellessence Blue’ which is a fusion of jewels and essences and the handcrafted elements make them artifacts to be cherished and admired for centuries to come. Designer Shaik perfumes are available at Bahrain Mall, Seef Mall, Bahrain Duty Free and Al Hawaj outlets.

Perfumes are known by ‘notes’ as in music: The Top, the Middle and the Base Notes. The top note is the one that is sensed immediately on application and the middle note is what remains when the top notes evaporate. On the disappearance of the middle notes what lingers is the Base note, which along with the middle note represents the core aroma of the juice. As a result it takes an approximate of 10 to 20 minutes to know the exact scent of the perfume.

Perfumers go an extra step in trying to emotionally connect with the wearer by distilling each kind of personality into a perfume. It is said and known that scent triggers memories, so how will you choose to be remembered?

Sumaiya Ali is an Indian freelance writer and a chemical engineer living and working in Bahrain. She has freelanced for two issues of the Bahrain based magazine 'Woman This Month' in the September 2008 issue in which this article was published.

----------------

Another short and interesting reading on Arabian Perfumes focusing on some Saudi Arabian perfumes written by Wafaa' Al-Natheema can be accessed here:

http://zanjabeel-saffron.blogspot.com/2006/12/arabian-perfumes.html

Meeting with Actor Shammi Kapoor in Mumbai, India

After few phone calls, Mr. Kapoor and I fixed a day and place for our meeting: Friday, December 14 at 4 pm at the Taj Mahal Hotel. I think it was a mistake to meet at this hotel. It was far from where I was staying. I witnessed for the first time in my life, the worst traffic jam ever. When I completed the interview with dear Shammi and headed back to meet my friends, it took the taxi driver two hours and some minutes to arrive at the hotel where they waited to make it more convenient for me and closer from the Taj Mahal Hotel than Santoshi's apartment!!

Regardless of that, my meeting with Shammi Kapoor was the highlight of 2007 and the best thing that ever happened to me since the departure of my beloved father, Mahmoud, on July 24, 2006. Putting in mind that Shammi was one of three men, besides my dear (paternal) uncle, Dawood, and my father, who put a smile on my face and filled me with warmth as a young child growing up in Baghdad, IRAQ.

At the instance of his entrance to the hotel restaurant pushed on wheel chair, I ....

The story continues here:

http://mango-sari-sitar.blogspot.com/2008/06/meeting-shammi-kapoor-in-bombay-india.html

Subhi Anwar Rashid

Subhi Anwar Rashid
Iraqi Scholar

by Wafaa' Al-Natheema

The first time I heard about Subhi Anwar Rashid was from the late Allen Svoboda when he (Allen) used to live in Houston, Texas. We were talking about Iraqi maqaam music and he suggested that I read Subhi. A. Rashid’s book entitled, “al-alaat almosiqiyya almosahiba lilmaqaamil iraqi,” or “The Musical Instruments Accompanying Iraqi Maqaam,” which was published in Baghdad in 1989. Allen made a copy of the entire book and mailed it to me in 1991. At that time, I was researching history of music in general and of Arabic and Iraqi music in particular.

Rashid was to me the unknown scholar with whom I began my journey of music learning and with other scholars such as the British Henry George Farmer in 1991.

The second time was in 1995 when his name was mentioned to me as an excellent source for music history. Then thirteen years pass by and I see his name a third time at the library of congress. That was in January 2008 when I was researching for Arab women musicians in pre-and-post Islam. When I did the search in the library’s data, I got the following titles;

“tareekhul mosiqa al-arabiyah,” or “The History of Arabic Music,” published by SKD Bavaria & Handel GMBH in Germany, 2000,
“tareekhul Oud,” or “The History of Oud,” published by dar alaa addine in Damascus, Syria, 1999.
“moujaz tareekh almosiqa wal ghinaa al-arabi,” or “The Summary of The History of Arabic Music and Singing,” published by dar ashu’oon athaqafiyya al-amma in Baghdad, Iraq, 2000.
“madkhal Ilaa tareekh alghinaa,” or “Introduction to the History of Singing,” published by dar alaa addine in Damascus, 2000.

Unfortunately, I could not find the final book on the history of singing at the library of congress, which I needed for my research. This was one of the reasons that prompted me to contact him besides the fact that I saw his phone number and address listed in one of his books, which gave me an incentive to call him, along with finding a very interesting reading about the history of the word “Arab” in one of his books. I said to myself it is time to contact him.

After locating Subhi's number and phoning him, we agreed that I interview him on the phone. I began this habit of phone interviewing people after the death of my utterly missed father, Mahmood. I called few of his old-time friends (until I see them in person and hopefully interview them face to face) to learn about his past and theirs while working or studying with him.

Subhi Anwar Rashid was born in al-Athamiyya area of Baghdad in 1928. He began his music studies in 1950 at the Institute of Fine Arts, but did not complete it. Then earned a law degree from the University of Baghdad.

In 1963 he completed a Masters Degree in Archaeology at the Free University of Berlin and in 1966 he obtained his Ph.D. in archaeology from Frankfort University. While in Germany, he did an extensive research on history of music and has written many articles and books on the subject matter.

Between 1966 and 1983, Dr. Rashid held various positions; the Dean of the Institute for Music Studies, Director of the International Center for the Studies of Traditional Music and President of the Committee of Historic Studies in the Arab League’s Commission on Music. He retired on October 15, 1983.

From my phone interview with him, I learned that after obtaining the Ph.D., he returned to Baghdad in 1966 and became the director of the National Museum of Baghdad and was simultaneously lecturing on history of music at Baghdad University.

According to him, the most important book he had written was, “tareekh almosiqa al-arabiya, assullam almosiqi, al-iqaa wal alaat,” or “The History of Arabic Music - The Musical Scale, Rhythm and Instruments,” which was published in 2000 in Germany.

During the interview, Rashid mentioned his first published book in Arabic,
“tareekh al-alaat almosiqiyya fil iraq alqadeem,” or “History of Music Instruments in Ancient IRAQ,” published in Beirut in 1970. Later in 1975, he published in Baghdad a book entitled, “al-alaat almosiqiyya – al-usoor al-islamiyya,” or “Music Instruments – Islamic eras,” and “almosiqa fil iraq alqadeem,” or “The Music in Ancient Iraq” in Baghdad in 1980.

Subhi Rashid began writing and publishing in German language before publishing in Arabic. His first published series by UNISCO was a collection of images on the history of music in Mesopotamia. It was published in 1984 in Leipzig and was translated to Japanese language in 1985. Later, he participated in a well-known German series, Handbook of Musicology in 1989.

Subhi left Iraq for Germany on July 12, 1990 accompanying his German wife, son and two daughters. He then taught one semester at Leipzig University and continued researching and publishing articles and books as well as participating annually in the Arabic Music Symposium at Cairo.

Our edited phone interview can be viewed here in Arabic language with some English translation of what was being said by S. A. Rashid as well an English description on the right side of the youtube screen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsgxgXAEKzo

Note 1: The definition of “Maqaam” is an intervallic relation of tunes within a fixed order. In singing, it has its rules with regard to the kind of lyrics each maqam is required to include as well as a structure of how it should begin and end.

Note 2: I use a different system of English transliteration of Arabic. So if you are searching for the books mentioned above, you may find them with slightly to significantly different transliteration.

Note 3: The Publications of Dr. Subhi Anwar Rashid in German Language:

Books

1. Mesopotamien. Musikgeschichte in Bildern, Bd. II, Leipzig 1984.
2. Die Musik der Keilschriftkultur. Neues Handbuch der Musikwissenschaft. Bd. 1, Die Musik des Altertums, Laaber-Verlag 1989.

Journal Articels

1. Neue akkadische Leierdarstellungen und ihre Bedeutung für die mesopotamische Musikgeschichte. Sumer, Journal of Archaeology in Iraq. Vol. XXIII, 1967 No. 7 II.
2. Zur Datierung der mesopotamischen Trommeln und Becken. Zeitschrift für Assyriologie und vorderasiatische Archäologie, Bd. 61, Berlin 1971.
3. Umdatierung einiger Terrakottenreliefs. Bagdader Mitteilungen, Band 6, 1973.
4. Untersuchung zum Musikinstrumenten Assyrien. Beiträge zur Kulturgeschichte Vorderasiens. Festschrift für Rainer Michael Boehmer, Verlag Philipp vom Zabern. Mainz 1995.
5. Mesopotamische Musikinstrumente im Spiegel der Glyptik. Altertumskunde des Vorderen Orients. Band 7 (Vom Halys zum Euphrat), Ugarit Verlag Münster.
6. Bedeutung und Ursprung der Laute. Damazener Mitteilungen Band 13, Verlag Philipp von Zabern. Mainz 2001.

Only in India

Comment by Wafaa' Al-Natheema

It is truly amazing how men insist on masculinizing everything in their language. The last line in the picture above reads; "But this connect between man and nature is unparalleled." It should have been accurately written as "But this connect between woman and nature is unparalleled."

First it is a woman who is feeding the animal, not a man.

Second, the vast majority of men have no such relation with nature. They inflicted chemical and nuclear bombs and waste (from their factories) as well as wars and destruction on nature, not to mention converting so much landscape and trees to concrete buildings with paved streets for cars emitting toxic fumes.

Here is a video clip of a baby and a Cobra, must watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-_LE9ztjNo

سلام خياط ورشاد سليم

سلام خياط و رشاد سليم

إلتقيت (أنا التي أسكن في الولايات الأمريكية) اليوم الجمعة المصادف الرابع والعشرين من آب عام 2007 بالصحفية سلام خياط التي تسكن في لندن والفنان رشاد سليم الذي هو الآخر يسكن في لندن ، فكيف حصلت هذه الصدفة وهذا اللقاء الطريف ومياه المحيط تفصلنا ؟

كنت قد إضطررت أن أضع تلا من الأوراق والكتب على الأرض قرب ملابسي المعلقة مؤقتا لحين يأتي الوقت المناسب لترتيبهم ومرت أكثر من شهرين ولم يأت هذا الزمن المناسب ، فصار لزاما علي قبل حوالي ثلاثة أيام أن أغير موضعهم ثانية لأضع في محلهم جرارات بلاستيكية لحفظ الهدوم ، فجلبت هذا التل قرب تل أقدم من الأوراق والظروف البريدية المكدسة إلى جانب سريري ! فصار التلان وكأنهما نوطتان لمعزوفة واحدة . ولمناسبة ذكر المعزوفة والعزف كان كتاب سلام خياط المعنون "معزوفات" هوسبب اللقاء بيني وبين سلام خياط ورشاد سليم .ا

أفقت اليوم الجمعة في السادسة صباحا من حلم ( نسيت كل تفاصيله بعد ساعتين) فصرت أتقلب يمينا ويسارا وأنا مازلت في الفراش وإلا بنظري يسقط على كتيب صغير عليه كلمة "معزوفات" وإسم سلام خياط على الرغم من أنه كان محشورا بين كتب التاريخ والسياسة . فلكوني لا أحب أن تكون وجبة فطوري تاريخا وسياسة فرفعت كتيب سلام خياط بين يدي بدلا عن الكتب الأخرى ، فلعادتي أقول إن حدث و أفطرت بتلك المواد الجدية التي ترفع ضغط الدم "يافتاح يارزاق مازلت أحاول الصحو" وكأني أولول تاريخا وسياسة على الفطور ؟

فتحت الكتيب وإلا بإهداء مكتوب بخط سلام خياط تكتب فيه " للعزيزة وفاء مع التحية . سلام في 5 أيلول 1993 " ، فتذكرت سفرتي الأولى من الولايات الأمريكية الى لندن بعد أن سجنت خمس سنوات كنت غير قادرة فيها على السفر بسبب بطاقة الإقامة الخضراء التي صرت أسميها فيما بعد بطاقة الإقامة السوداء . بعد أن تمت الموافقة لإعطائي الإقامة في شهر نيسان من ذلك العام وبعد أن حاضرت لمدة ستة أسابيع في إعدادية فيليب أكزتر أكاديمي في صيف ذلك العام سافرت إلى لندن في أيلول لرؤية والدتي وأخي وبعد حوالي ثلاثة شهور سافرت إلى بغداد لرؤية جدتي وغاليتي نظيمة وأبي الحبيب . والإثنان تركوا حياتنا هذه إلى غير رجعة. وفي تلك الزيارة إلى لندن قررت مقابلة بعض النساء العراقيات وإجراء حوار معهن لنشره في النشرة الرباعية التي كنت أصدرها في بوستن باللغة الإنجليزية آنذاك . كان من بين النساء اللواتي أجريت معهم مقابلة صحفية المعمارية زهاء حديد والباحثة الإجتماعية سناء الخياط والتي أصدرت كتابا عن نساء العراق . وأيضا تمكنت من الوصول إلى الصحفية سلام خياط وقابلتها في قهوة عزاوي . لا أذكر الآن كيف تمكنت من الوصول إليها ولكن لقاءنا في القهوة لم يؤدي إلى مقابلة صحفية فلم ترض بأن أسجل لها اللقاء

صوتيا (كما أفعل مع الآخرين) ولكن تكلمنا في أمور عامة وبخصوص ذكرياتنا بالعراق حين كانوا جيراننا في

دورالضباط (الأربع شوارع) قرب اليرموك .ا

كل ذلك عصف ذاكرتي وأنا لم أقرأ بعد سوى الصفحة الأولى التي كتب عليها الإهداء . ثم طويت الصفحة الأولى لأفتح الثانية وإلا بي أقرا بأن رسوم الكتاب قد صممها رشاد سليم . فقلت مع نفسي < أها> ، هذا الذي إلتقيته في أيلول آخر من عام 2006 ! وتمر فكرة ‘كم هو العالم صغير‘ في ذهني . ألتقينا أنا وهو مع عراقيات أخريات وخطاط عراقي للبحث في أمور فعل مشروع فني (ومشاريع أخرى) لمساعدة العراقيين و للأسف لم يثمر هذا اللقاء شيئا .ا

وفي الصفحة الثالثة من الكتيب كتبت سلام إهداء " إلى سيدي العراق ومولاتي البصرة " ثم في الرابعة خطت المقدمة لتقرأ " أبريء هذه المعزوفات من مظنة أن تكون شعرا .. إنها مجرد عزف على أوتار اللغة .ا

سلام 4 أيلول 1985 لندن " . وهكذا واصلت قراءة صفحات الكتيب وأنا مازلت مستلقية في الفراش حيث أتممته بأقل من نصف ساعة ، ليس لأنني طرزانة زماني في القراءة بل لأن الكتيب كان مزريا لصغر حجمه كما نقول حين نريد المبالغة .ا

الذكريات التي سبحت بها قادتني كالمخدرة [بشد وفتح الدال] بإتجاه الحاسوب لأدون ما مر بذهني في ساعتي الصباح وقبل أن أغسل وجهي وأفطر ، يافتاح يارزاق . ا

القارئة (والقاريء) التي ترى إستعمالي للضمير المؤنث بجانب إسم سلام الخياط المذكر عجيبا تفعل ذلك لأنها لاتعرف بأن سلام خياط إمرأة وإن إسمها الحقيقي سليمة وعلى ما أذكر أنها كانت خريجة حقوق وعندما إتجهت للصحافة ولمعاناتها في المحاماة قررت تذكير اسمها لكي تؤخذ بجدية وتحترم وتروج كتاباتها أكثر . شخصيا أنا لم يعجبني هذا الغطاء المفتعل بتغيير جنس الإسم لأنني لم أكن أرى تحيزا واضحا في مجال الصحافة في العراق وحده بل في العالم كله ولأنها بتغيير إسمها تكون كما لو استسلمت للمشكلة وحتى ساهمت في استمرارها. عندما شهدت وعاصرت هذا التحيز والإحتكار الذكوري وهو إلى حد لا يطاق قررت أن أغير اسمي لأحمل اسم جدتي (أم والدتي) التي ربتني واعتنت بي طوال سنين عيشي في العراق وليس اسم جدي (أبا والدي) الذي لم يعرفني حتى بمصاصة وكان قاسيا على زوجته وأولاده (بما في ذلك أبي) ، فلماذا أبقى حاملة اسم جدي ولم إنسانة مثل الصحفية سليمة تغير اسمها الى اسم ذكر؟ هل في ذلك عدالة ؟

كانت سلام (سليمة) خياط تسكن وعائلتها في بيت قريب جدا من بيتنا الذي كنا نؤجره من مالكه بشير الطالب الذي لا أعرف فيما إذا ما يزال حيا أم لا ، حيث سكنا فيه حوالي سنتين ثم تحولنا الى السكن في بيتنا (الذي بني

مابين 1967 و68) في اليرموك . كانت سلام تعرف بهواياتي الكتابية وبحبي للأغاني والأفلام الهندية وأنا طفلة وكان هذا من بين ماتكلمنا عنه عندما التقينا في لندن في أيلول عام 1993. أعتقد بأنها رفضت أن أسجل المقابلة معها لأنها كانت في نوع من العتاب وإنقطاع الزيارات مع والدتي وربما لأنها خشيت بأنني أستعمل أجوبتها المسجلة صوتيا إستعمالا لغير غايته المنشودة ، فاكتفت بإهداءها لي ببعض من كتبها وبشرب القهوة معي والتكلم عن الماضي الذي بدا أجملا من الحاضر حيث الحروب والحصار الجائر والموت .ا

كل هذا وأكثر هطل على ذاكرتي بعد أن وقع ناظري على كتيبها "معزوفات" وقد أعجبتني فيه بعض رسوم رشاد سليم خاصة على الصفحات السادسة والخامسة والثلاثين . ففي الأخيرة تكتب سليمة (سلام) خياط خمسة كلمات

فقط : "السماء غائمة وروحي مبللة بالمطر" ، يرسم رشاد هذه الكلمات بطريقة مشابهة لأحدى لوحات مديحة عمر

التي للأسف توفيت قبل حوالي سنتين. كما وأعجتني المعزوفة اللغوية التي كتبتها سليمة في صفحة 56 :ا

"سرق .. حوكم وتبرأ ، غش .. حوكم فتبرأ ، كذب .. حوكم وتبرأ ، قال كلمة .. أعدم "

فاسم أبي رشاد سليم والإسم الحقيقي لسلام هو سليمة وألتقيت بهما في شهر أيلول وفي لندن وكانا سوية في مشروع

نشر واحد وهو الكتيب "معزوفات" ولم يثمر لقائي بهما شيئا ، صدفة هذه أم أن المتشابهين أربعون !ا

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وفاء النظيمة كاتبة و ناشطة تسكن في الولايات الأمريكية وتنتج حاليا فيلما وثائقيا عن حياة ورئاسة الرئيس العراقي السابق عبد الرحمن عارف . للتعرف على إنجازاتها وكتاباتها يرجى زيارة البلغ المعروف

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سفرتي الأولى إلى لندن كانت في عام 1978 ولكني كتبت أعلاه أن سفرة عام 93 هي الأولى لأنها كانت بعد حبس دام خمس سنوات لم أستطع فيه السفرخارج الولايات الأمريكية بسبب أوراق الإقامة .ا

Shammi Kapoor on 07, 07, 07

The Saturday I Will Never Forget

By Wafaa' Al-Natheema

Advertisers in the USA few days before today were cheering and hooraying about the luck one may have on a date when all of its three digits are SEVEN repeatedly. So they were advising people to buy this or that on this day or even gamble. Although I am not superstitious, I considered today, Saturday, July 7 a memorable day: The famous Indian star and actor, Shammi Kapoor, called me all the way from India.


Until Friday, May 25, I was under the impression that Shammi Kapoor, was no longer alive, thanks to a piece of news given to me by a close friend whom I usually entrust and take for granted as a reliable source. But my coincidental search of Hindi films and actors, brought me to the realization that Shammi Kapoor is actually alive.

His website http://www.junglee.org.in/sk.html gave me so much information about his life and career and provided me with his personal email address. So I sent him an email on May 25 and received a prompt reply on Saturday, May 26. I did not believe my eyes. I originally thought that the website was maintained by a fan or one of his family members.

After one month and ten days of correspondence, I received his greatly appreciated call today, Saturday, July 7, 07. It was a very dear call knowing I have admired him since the age of four. When he explained his health situation having to go through dialysis three times per week as the reason behind his delay in responding to some of my emails, I felt a sense of connection with him hearing his honesty and modesty considering his fame and glamour in the late 1950s and 1960s.


India has created some kind of an agony in me as I have been dreaming to visit it since childhood. Now I wish that it be more than just a visit. I hope to participate in a conference or a festival or have a job for a couple of months. I am working tirelessly to see how I can join a group of activists, teachers or artists to visit India or be hosted by them while in India. I feel a spiritual connection and a need to visit India especially after the horrific war on Iraq and the psychology with which I am living as a result.


Shammi Kapoor was one of three men who brought smile to my face and filled me with pleasure and/or hope as a young child besides my late uncle, Dawood (d. 1965) and late father, Mahmood (d. on July 24, 2006). Watching him perform (and seeing some of the old Hindi films in general) brings so many sweet memories from my early childhood. I remember when I was four to six years of age, nobody dared to say a negative word about Shammi in front of me. I would be crying or protesting in disagreement. This gesture was considered cute by adults, so they enjoyed teasing me purposely to watch my entertaining parade:):)

In the near future and in memory of my father and his eldest brother, Dawood, I will write a lengthy memoir entitled, "The Three Men Who Made Me Smile as a Child - Uncle Dawood, Father Mahmood and Shammi Kapoor"

It will be a wonderful adventure and experience for me to visit India and see Shammi Kapoor. He will be 77 years old on October 21.

(*_*) Don't forget to click on all "Shammi Kapoor" words.