Eesha Iftikhar

My name is Eesha Iftikhar. I was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan. As I navigate the labyrinth of literature, I've wandered the dimly lit streets of New York melancholy with Sylvia Plath and fought injustice with Manto in India.

When I am asked to introduce myself, I don’t quite know how to find an umbrella description for myself. On Mondays, I like Hibiscus. On Thursday, I love Pansies. When I am feeling dejected or pensive, I write. And, when I am feeling happy, I write and make strawberry jams.

The treasures of my childhood still hold a special place in my heart - from the first set of crayons my parents gave me to my grandmother's tattered pouch to the letters that were penned just for me. These physical remnants of my past are more than just possessions - they're a living testimony to the love and joy that has graced my life in countless ways.

It's this fascination with material memory that has driven me to explore its complex and nuanced role in our lives. As we grapple with loss and the passage of time, these tangible artifacts serve as a lifeline to those who have departed, connecting us to our past and shaping our present. This passion led me to delve into the subject deeply, culminating in an undergraduate thesis that examined the intricate interplay of material memories in both historical and contemporary contexts.

As a testament to my commitment to this field, I curated a museum of memories and spearheaded Pakistan's first virtual COVID memorial, giving voice to those whose memories live on beyond their physical presence.

The intricate tapestry of South Asian history has captured my heart and ignited my curiosity. The tales of partition, queer identities, and spiritual entities that exist within its pages have become the soul of my writing.

Moreover, I am a fierce advocate for mental health awareness, particularly within the brown community. Through the medium of poetry and prose, I strive to dispel the stigma that surrounds mental health and inspire compassion and understanding for those who struggle with it.

I like engaging in people-centric stories. Sometimes,in a moving car, I look around me and get overwhelmed by the thought that everyone has stories they want to tell, and the universe is deprived of these untold stories. With my pen, I want to unearth as many stories as I possibly can.

Articles by Eesha Iftikhar

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