Requiem for a dream

Perhaps we saw it coming, but remained in denial. Around two weeks ago, Islamabad lost Shayan Afzal Khan, fondly known as Poppy. She died of cancer and left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her.

You may ask who Poppy was and why she was important to Islamabad. There seems to be no tailored response to that. But for starters, Poppy was a phenomenon that had to be lived to be understood. She was someone with a sparkling vision, a clear direction and a dogged commitment to see her goals of positive social change through. She spoke her mind on subjects few dared to discuss. She saw adversity in the eye and fought fearlessly.

Nearly five years ago, she founded Kuch Khaas (KK) — a centre for art, culture and dialogue that became a household name for culture, the ‘it’ place and a safe haven for like-minded people in the city. It was her brainchild that took many young people in its fold and gave them a platform to nurture their creativity, many of whom have carved a niche for themselves in their respective fields, whether it is writing, visual and performing arts, film-making or photography.

Poppy once told me that creating KK had been on her bucket list since there was no other place like it in the city. With its plethora of events, classes and workshops, it catered to people of all age groups and from all walks of life. For people who worked there, it was a sanctuary of sorts — one big, happy family.

In contrast to cliquish attitudes often associated with the city, KK encouraged diversity of ideas, opinions and expressions to flourish. It became a lifeline for a city otherwise devoid of creative outlets and opportunities. As the city mourns, the silence is almost deafening. Poppy’s passing has left a void and one wonders who will carry her legacy forward. What lies in store for a place that coined a culture for a city that had none?

Sure, some other places have mushroomed with similar focus and inclination for the arts, but the first-of-its-kind centre for arts in Islamabad must not be closed down, much less forgotten. It should continue to evolve through ups and downs, retaining its intrinsic essence and character. It embodies a dream that needs to live on as too many life-stories are tied to it.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2015.