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Gulf Weekly
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Tales for all
Bahrain-based author Tajammul Kothari has penned his way into the fiction genre with his latest collection of short stories, spanning themes like romance, crime, children's literature and more, writes Melissa Nazareth. The Indian expatriate, who works as an administration manager with a local construction company, launched Mixed Bag – Short Stories on Amazon in April. The 134-page collection of 16 tales caters to 'every taste' as it explores a gamut of sentiments, from love and betrayal to racism and power struggles. 'After publishing my poetry books, I took a break from full time writing due to work and life pressures, and was only concentrating on writing short articles for my blog: However, the idea of writing fiction was always there at the back of my mind,' said the creative talent from Riffa, who was born and raised in the kingdom and attended the Indian School. In a previous interview with GulfWeekly, Tajammul noted that his foray into writing began with his blog and when he saw his readership grow, it spurred him on to experiment with different styles; poetry came to him naturally and eventually, became a 'passion'. 'Seeing a positive response to An Ode to Life and Unanswered Verses, my confidence surged and I took a step forward and published Mixed Bag – Short Stories. I hope it will receive the same appreciation and support as my previous works.' Not one to rest on past laurels, Tajammul is currently working on a novella inspired by Bahrain. 'Bahrain holds a very special place in my heart as I have lived in this wonderful country for so many years. My next book will feature this beautiful island and its people; it will have an ensemble characters from all over the world with one of the characters residing here in Bahrain,' he revealed. An excerpt from Retribution, one of the short stories, reads: 'In the evening, Rupert goes through the photographs and sees something unusual. He takes out his magnifying glass from his desk drawer and zooms in. He notices the name of the bookstore in the background. Memories are recollected as it is the same bookstore he used to visit so regularly in his hometown, Riverwell. He scratches his head and wonders if he has seen the girl somewhere, but he cannot recall.'
Gulf Weekly
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Hidden horrors brought to light
A short film bringing alive the unspoken agonies of domestic violence, by Bahraini director Maryam Abdulghaffar, has won global recognition at the Tyre International Film Festival, shining a bright spotlight on heroes who support survivors of the crime and push for change. Filmed in the kingdom, Bidaya Alnihaya ('Beginning of the End') won for Best Cinematography at the award ceremony staged in Tyre city, Lebanon last month. The 33-minute Arabic documentary with English subtitles, that creatively weaves in dramatised re-enactments, is based on real stories. Maryam spoke to Bahrain-based professionals Dr Huda Almahmeed, who works with a local shelter, Dr Tareeq Almadawy, a psychiatrist who helps individuals coping with trauma, and lawyer Zahraa Fardaan, all of who shared stories from their practice, while ensuring confidentiality and ethical care. Bidaya Alnihaya was a finalist at the Rome Prisma Film Awards in May and won the best documentary award at the Love Peace and Freedom Film Festival in Mexico in March. 'The film was driven by the realisation that domestic violence, while deeply prevalent, often remains hidden in silence, especially in the Middle East,' Maryam told GulfWeekly. 'The lack of open conversations and safe spaces for survivors inspired me to explore this subject with empathy and purpose,' the 35-year-old filmmaker and cinematographer added. 'I felt a responsibility as a filmmaker to shed light on what many endure behind closed doors, and to help create a bridge between pain and hope. 'The idea wasn't just to expose the issue, but to show the resilience and strength of those who support survivors and push for change.' Before filming, the Hamad Town resident spent six months researching international documentaries on the subject, a step she believes was essential in shaping a distinct visual and narrative language that would resonate within the region. 'The visual contrast of a documentary and dramatised re-enactments became a clear stylistic decision early on: the interviews were shot in a talking heads format to establish a sense of authenticity and trust, while the re-enactments were designed with a more cinematic, narrative look to immerse the viewer emotionally and visually,' she said, explaining her creative process. 'I used professional cinema gear to enhance the storytelling, allowing light, shadow and composition to subtly communicate what words often couldn't.' As is common with art based on topics like domestic violence, one of the biggest challenges was maintaining ethical sensitivity throughout the film – portraying trauma without overwhelming the viewer or compromising dignity. 'Not being able to feature actual survivors made the storytelling more complex, but it also pushed me to be more creative and intentional with the cinematography,' she noted. The production involved a crew of around 20 individuals, spanning Bahraini, Saudi and Indian nationals, and from development to final cut, the film took around a year to complete. 'I'm very grateful to our producer Fahad Alqahtani, whose belief in the message and the need for awareness made this film possible,' Maryam said. 'We are currently submitting the film to more festivals around the world. My goal for 2025 is to expand this conversation – to reach more people, empower more survivors and continue creating films that give voice to the unheard. 'At the heart of Bidaya Alnihaya is a message of resilience: that healing is possible, and that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope.'
Gulf Weekly
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Expressions of freedom
melissa@ An exhibition celebrating 127 years of Philippines' independence is set to be unveiled on Saturday, June 14, showcasing the unique interpretations of 33 Bahrain-based creatives from the expatriate community, following Philippines' Independence Day today. Filipino Artists Bahrain (FAB) will stage Unbound: 127 Years of Freedom at Harbour Gate, Manama, under the patronage of Philippines Ambassador Anne Jalando-on Louis. The event, which runs until June 28, will feature a workshop and live painting activation on June 20, which is open to the public. Graphic designer and participating artist Faarni Sindatoc, who has been living in Bahrain for almost two decades, believes that 'freedom isn't just about saying whatever you want – it's about knowing who you are, owning your voice, and using it in a way that creates connection, not division'. In the exhibition, she brings alive traditional dance forms – Singkil, Kappa Malong-Malong and Sagayan – through her digital artworks. 'I am passionate about dance and used to stage many performances in high school. Creating these pieces brought back fond memories,' the Suwaifiya resident and mother-of-one, who believes it is important to educate the younger generations about their roots, told GulfWeekly. 'Singkil is a royal dance where the performers move in and out of criss-crossed bamboo sticks. In the paintings, you can see a princess and her assistant. There's a gong in the background that provides the beat for the rhythmic dance.' Berna Carangan from Riffa will be exhibiting her acrylic paintings, including an interactive artwork with puzzle pieces. The graphic designer and architect, who attributes much of her creative process to her formal degree, has called Bahrain home for the last 18 years. 'The work that I'm exhibiting has to do with carrying our legacies and looking back to see how far we've come,' the 28-year-old noted. Self-taught artist and water colourist Gary Manalo from Gudaibiya has showcased the life of the common man in his creations, from a banig (traditional mat) weaver in Balangiga, Philippines, to a boy engrossed in finding his own reflection in the lake. 'My journey as an artist has been full of struggles. We all know that becoming a full-time artist can often mean financial hardships, especially with a family and two children. But I never stopped painting, because art is who I am. It's in my blood,' the 47-year-old industrial technology specialist said. 'I draw inspiration from the everyday lives of people around me – their routines, struggles and joys.' His favourite medium is watercolour as it helps him 'release stress'. 'Its transparency, fluidity and ability to create soft,luminous effects brings a sense of calm,' he added.
Gulf Weekly
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Making an impression
Women in Bahrain are embracing this season's colours, fabrics, prints and silhouettes, with some global fashion trends even inspiring traditional outfits and modest wear, observes Maliha Obaid. She spoke to experts on the topic and has listed creative ideas for your wardrobe, coinciding with the festive weekend. Seasonal hues Pastels are dominating the runways this season, with light colours like butter yellow, powdery pink and pistachio green being some of the popular hues. Abayas in pastel shades are also increasingly popular among Arab women and can be paired with a white hijab. 'Light yellow has been trendy since last season but it wasn't until recently that people have adopted the colour,' said Bahraini freelance costume designer Fatima AlBastaki, who has almost a decade of experience in styling Arab celebrities. Fine print and fabric Floral designs and polka dots are recurring styles on the Spring-Summer 2025 runways, and are versatile too. 'Although I am not a pattern girl, the current trends and my love for blooms are making me lean into floral prints, especially the ones with a pop of colour,' said 22-year-old Bahraini fashion designer and entrepreneur Fatima Alturabi, who has had a penchant for fashion from a young age. According to a report in Marie Claire, 'scarf prints' including intricate floral patterns and paisley motifs, typically found on scarves and embodying the 'dolce vita' spirit, are also popular this season. AlBastaki noted that patterns like dantel (embroidered lace) are very common now while others like polka dots are making a comeback. Skirts for days Pleated skirts or 'the school skirt' and flouncy designs are among the popular global trends this summer, which can be adapted to suit the local sensitivities with full-length pieces. 'Skirts can be worn on occasions and can also be dressed down into a more casual outfit,' Alturabi, who likes to tailor her clothes herself, explained. 'I think silk skirts are nice but I don't recommend silk tops to avoid a possible transparent shape. Pieces like button-ups are a modest fashion staple and can be styled in many ways – they work well with long skirts,' she explained,. AlBasktaki added that her favourite piece to style with a long skirt is a blazer. 'No matter what you wear, you can always style it to suit the modest aesthetic,' she highlighted. Dress to impress British Vogue says that 'nightie dresses', commonly designed with cotton poplin and silk, is 'this summer's answer to a throw-on dress' and we, at GulfWeekly couldn't agree more; it's reminiscent of the sun dress – a seasonal staple – or lacy Bohemian dresses that are turning heads on the runways. 'Maxi dresses have always been a go-to here in Bahrain. They just work with our weather and the way we dress and you can style them up or down. 'Women in the kingdom are more into simple styles and fabrics that feel light and breathable. I think it's all part of that shift towards effortless fashion pieces that still look elegant,' Alturabi noted.
Gulf Weekly
29-05-2025
- General
- Gulf Weekly
Stepping into the real world
Screens have dulled our ability to truly feel and connect, writes GulfWeekly's columnist Preety Praveen as she explores this month's Speak Your Mind topic 'how overexposure to gadgets especially social media affects mental health'. There was a time when real friendships, quality time with family, and taking breaks from work were considered the most valuable aspects of life. Today, these meaningful moments are often overshadowed by phones, laptops and other gadgets. Charging a phone seems more urgent than talking to the person next to us. We are more concerned with checking the online status of someone we barely know than asking a loved one how they're doing. Somehow, knowing a celebrity's daily schedule feels more satisfying than planning our own goals or spending time with those who truly matter. How did this virtual world take over our reality? Or are we the ones who gave it permission to invade our lives? What should matter more, chasing 'likes' on social media or sharing a hot cup of coffee with someone who genuinely cares about us? The truth is, this digital shift hasn't just changed our routines, it has reshaped our emotions. The depth in our bonds, the grief of losing a friend, the sorrow of a breakup, or the pain of parting with a loved one has lost its emotional impact. Screens have dulled our ability to truly feel and connect. Those late-night heart-to-heart conversations have now been replaced by scrolling through reels or gaming on our phones. Our excessive workloads have chained us to laptops, denying us moments of physical warmth and connection. And yet, without guilt or awareness, we've comfortably adapted to this digital lifestyle — we even seem happy about it. But we must pause and reflect: our real world should be built around real people and relationships. In moments of crisis, it's our loved ones who will stand beside us, not our phones or social media apps. A warm hug, a reassuring touch, a caring glance, or a few kind words will always offer more support than any screen ever could. We must remember gadgets and apps were created to serve us, not the other way around. Let's ensure they remain tools we control, not forces that control us. Make time not just for yourself, but for your family and friends too. Be present in the real world. Cherish the laughter, warmth and comfort that come from genuine human connection. After all, we are human and with that comes a social responsibility to care for each other with compassion, attention and love.
