Experiencing tradition

ISLAMABAD:

Tehzeeb, an art gallery and cafe with a section for designer-wear, was launched at Park Road F-8 in Islamabad on March 7. “A place for connoisseurs, food, art and designer-wear,” is how Tehzeeb is described, a brand that claims to have something for everyone.

Member, Capital Develo-pment Authority (CDA), Mian Waheedudin inaugurated the venue, along with CDA Directors Sanaullah Aman, Ramzan Joya and former speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly, Habibullah Tareen, in the history hall which is the central court of Tehzeeb that displays colonial era antiques and ancient books and maps on the history of the Indus.

Local artists from Islamabad and Rawalpindi and many graduates of National College of Arts had stocked their paintings and sculptures on display in the cafe section of the venue where a sitar and tabla player performed.

Upstairs, in the designer section, local designers from Islamabad stocked women’s wear and accessories.

The men’s section includes Ammar Belal’s fine tailored shirts along with designerwear from internationally renowned brands Zara and Hugo Boss. The whole venue is spotted with hand painted furniture, also from local artists.

But it’s really the food at Tehzeeb that is worth raving about. It is a mix of world cuisine, from traditional local to Italian, fine Mughal, chatkharas and continental. Be it the blooming green tea, Godiva coffee Cuban cigars or a chocolate fondue, Tehzeeb seems to offer it all.

Tehzeeb also promises a monthly musical gig, the first one is with Arieb Azhar playing live on April 9.

“We wanted a place where we could mesh all the things that we love and hold dear — arts, history, music, fine clothes and tasteful cuisine - a place where young and old could all feel at home,” said Muneeb and Manail, the owners of Tehzeeb.

The night ended with flying lanterns that flew into the sky to illuminate a beginning for Tehzeeb, truly a slice of eastern tradition.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2011.