A woman of substance

In conversation with Faiz’s daughter Salima Hashmi

Lahore: Salima Hashmi is a Pakistani painter, artist, educationist and former minister in Najam Sethi’s caretaker cabinet. She rendered her services as a Professor and Dean of the National College of Arts (NCA) for four years. Hashmi is the eldest daughter of renowned Urdu poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz. She is also a recipient of the Pride of Performance Award.

How were you as a child?

Very shy! I remember whenever some guests would come to our home to meet my parents, I would hide in the bathroom just to avoid meeting them. So as a child, I was an extremely introverted girl. I would prefer to live alone with books and hated social gatherings. I even hated going to school because for me schools were the most boring places in the world! I always wanted to stay home and sit in my favourite spot with myself. I never liked to make friends of course! I loved reading books, writing diaries, painting and talking to myself in the favourite corners of my house.

What kind of books did you read as a child?

Any book that attracted my attention. We had a lot of books at our home. My parents would always give me children’s books from a very young age. Probably they wanted me to be a good reader. So, my interest grew with my age. I started reading Robert Stevenson and Bronte Sisters.

I always wanted to read books endorsed and recommended by my parents. And with that, I reached the level of reading Charles Dickens. Unfortunately in Urdu, we do not have literature for children. I used to read Sufi Tabassum and magazines like Phool and Khilona for which I would always remain indebted to my mother. You know as my father was in jail, she made sure that we acquire quality education. I had to take tuition in Urdu specifically after my father left us for jail. I had read a lot of literature in both languages at a very young age.

To everybody’s surprise, once it so happened that I won a prize in a debate competition and was offered to buy 100 books. The headmistress of my school was so astonished to see my taste and selection of books that she called my mother. Later on, my mother told her that the selection was solely done by myself and my mother did not buy any book from the prize.

When did you realise that you are the daughter of a great poet?

Well, it took some time to really understand the iconic grandeur that I had inherited. I think the first time I understood and realised it was when I was in college.

When did you start painting?

From a very early age. I was always very observant and quiet. I was fascinated by good pieces of art whether it was in a written form, visual or performing art. My grandmother would always send special books on painting from England. Following the instructions from books, I started painting faces with various facial expressions, sceneries and places. My father also had many books on painting in his library. I would always turn pages of books to find meaningful and relatable images out of curiosity.

You are a writer, publisher, teacher and painter. What keeps you going?

The sense of responsibility! And responsibility in terms of transferring my thoughts, ideas, and works to the next generation. We have been sent here for a specific time. Everyone goes through various stages, and then leaves the place for other people. So, just to ensure that my work is timely transmitted I do it. Secondly, I appreciate working with youth. I appreciate their energy and dreams. They are hardworking and willing to move forward. When I come home, I spend time with my family too.

When did you realise you want to become a teacher?

With the loads of knowledge and skills that I attained from my parents and specifically my mother, combined with the passion for educating youth, what else should I have become? I always appreciate good teaching methodologies because I know how different teaching mechanisms can help students build their learning capacities and make a difference in their overall educational experience.

What is your understanding of life?

I think, to understand, discover and unveil the meaning of life many legendary lives were devastated. Understanding life is quite similar to acknowledging or reaching a high level of spirituality, I believe. Not everyone can reach that level of acknowledgement, meditation and understanding. So it is an activity which is acquired by people with divine powers. It could never reveal its reality in front of lay people like myself.