RawaPods: Creative Thought and Expression - Fikr-o-Kalaam (Poetry | Literature | Thought)

Who I am at 01:00 AM - The Craft of Meter & Sufi Verse [Shaheryar Mirza - Sohbat - Chashma e Rawaan Ep 7, RawaPods] Episode 7 - Sohbat, Shaheryar Mirza When an award winning musician writes poetry, digs literature, finds faith and shapes his own narrative, Shaheryar Mirza’s creative process fuses. He joins us in Sohbat, reflecting on creative influences and perspectives, and his journey as a founding spring of Rawanee — and shares some poetry. Follow his work on: https://www.facebook.com/Shaheryar.Music/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd6Y_u2zNw_YG8GaEkscDzw/videos Chashma-e-RawaanA RawaPods series by Rawanee Representing six years of a flowing stream — founding and newer poetry, our new imprint and books, over thirty-five events and podcast episodes. First prepared for Hikayat-e-Aamm, our 2026 flagship - celebrating 6 years and the launch of our second and third anthologies at Kensington Central Library. Rendition - Bareena at Surtaal Academy.

Episode 6 - Sohbat, nFk nFk builds creative platforms - the likes of Funtoosh, DWL, Lakeer. He brings humour (dad jokes included), rhyme scheme and creative liberty to Rawanee. He saves ship as the unofficially appointed advisor of no choice to the platform, and brings rhyme scheme to moments to make us remember them long after. Follow his work on: https://www.facebook.com/NadirFroze https://www.instagram.com/nadirkhanferoz Chashma-e-Rawaan A RawaPods series by Rawanee Representing six years of a flowing stream — founding and newer poetry, our new imprint and books, over thirty-five events and podcast episodes. First prepared for Hikayat-e-Aamm, our 2026 flagship - celebrating 6 years and the launch of our second and third anthologies at Kensington Central Library in partnership with the British Pakistan Foundation. Music by Surtaal Academy.

Episode 5 - Sohbat, Rafey ZuberiA long career in marketing, a life of reinvention — Rafey spins poetry and photography, surrounded by forests and waterfalls. Long recognized as Rawanee’s founding Urdu voice, we speak to Rafey about his love of Urdu — growing up surrounded by a poetry loving family, later - nature. He reflects on wit, spirituality and diversity in Urdu literature, and shares his own work. A refreshing, real conversation with our founding spring who decolonises our taste in poetry, and inspires poetic rebellion. Chashma-e-RawaanA RawaPods series by RawaneeRepresenting six years of a flowing stream — founding and newer poetry, our new imprint and books, over thirty-five events and podcast episodes. The Sohbat episodes are longer, individual conversations with the voices behind the stream and other fascinating creatives who align with our work. Read the work of our poets - www.rawanee.com/publicationsFollow the podcast - rawanee.com/rawapods or look us up on YouTube, Spotify, and all major podcast channels

Ruh - Episode 4: Chashma-e-Rawaan, The Founding Streams - A RawaPods series by Rawanee The soul beneath the voice. Unhurried. The room has been on a long journey. Voices from Rafey, Shaheryar, nFk, and Qudsia on writing and reading spiritual poetry. Opens with Ki Jana Main Kaun and closes with Tu Jhoom. Chashma-e-RawaanA RawaPods series by Rawanee Representing six years of a flowing stream — founding and newer poetry, our new imprint and books, over thirty-five events and podcast episodes. First prepared for Hikayat-e-Aamm, our 2026 flagship - celebrating 6 years and the launch of our second and third anthologies at Kensington Central Library in partnership with the British Pakistan Foundation.Music by Surtaal Academy. Bunyad Safar Aamad Ruh

Aamad Episode 3: Chashma-e-Rawaan, The Founding Streams - A RawaPods series by RawaneeThe arrival. A three-minute visual piece drawing together Rawanee's journey — moments, milestones, founding poets, and platforms — set to Chal Bulleya and nFk's poetry, with reference to Chashma-e-Rawaan andWhere Latitudes Meet.Chashma-e-RawaanA RawaPods series by RawaneeRepresenting six years of a flowing stream — founding and newer poetry, our new imprint and books, over thirty-five events and podcast episodes. First prepared for Hikayat-e-Aamm, our 2026 flagship - celebrating 6 years and the launch of our second and third anthologies at Kensington Central Library in partnership with the British Pakistan Foundation.Music by Surtaal Academy. BunyadSafarAamadRuh

Safar Episode 2: Chashma-e-Rawaan, The Founding Streams - A RawaPods series by Rawanee The journey a voice takes across languages, migrations, and inheritances. Daniele, Qudsia, Laiba, Samar, Omer, Shaheryar, and nFk on the crossings — what lives in the diaspora that could not have existed in either tradition alone, what is inherited incomplete, and how resistance and re-writing shape creative identity. Poem by Rafey opens; Hana's Dounia closes. Featuring Hum Dekhein Ge (opening) and Parh Parh Ilm (closing) from Surtaal Academy. Chashma-e-RawaanA RawaPods series by Rawanee Representing six years of a flowing stream — founding and newer poetry, our new imprint and books, over thirty-five events and podcast episodes. First prepared for Hikayat-e-Aamm, our 2026 flagship - celebrating 6 years and the launch of our second and third anthologies at Kensington Central Library in partnership with the British Pakistan Foundation.Music by Surtaal Academy. Bunyad Safar Aamad Ruh

Bunyad Episode 1: Chashma-e-Rawaan, The Founding Streams - A RawaPods series by Rawanee Foundations. Where a voice begins — in mother tongue, in inheritance, in the long work of preservation. Voices from Rafey, Hana, Qudsia, Salma, Sana, and nFk on writing, storytelling, education, and the platforms that have carried Urdu forward. Featuring poems by Qudsia and Salma. Opens with Wekh Asmanan Te Udhday Panchi (Surtaal Academy) and closes with Par Chana De. Chashma-e-RawaanA RawaPods series by Rawanee Representing six years of a flowing stream — founding and newer poetry, our new imprint and books, over thirty-five events and podcast episodes. First prepared for Hikayat-e-Aamm, our 2026 flagship - celebrating 6 years and the launch of our second and third anthologies at Kensington Central Library in partnership with the British Pakistan Foundation.Music by Surtaal Academy. Bunyad Safar Aamad Ruh

In this episode, we share poetry themed to Nur, or Light. Recorded in Feb'26 at the start of Ramadan, our diverse community gets together in a Mehfil and speaks to the theme in new and interesting ways. Spiritual poems - reflections, longing, connection; socio-political poems - lamenting the loss of humanity in the present day world, hoping for a better time, reminding each other, and sometimes turning to satire. We were also joined by two beautiful children from Surtaal Academy - a music academy based in Lahore , who shared renditions of traditional spiritual poetic works. A multi lingual event in English and Urdu. With a sprinkle of Punjabi 🎧 Watch or listen now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms: RawPods by Rawanee RawPods | Spiritual Poetry #RawPods #Poetry #GlobalMajorityVoices #Urdu #English #PoetryPodcast

In this episode, we reflect on two central Qur’anic concepts: Salām (peace, wholeness) and Nūr (light, illumination). We reflect on these concepts not as abstractions, but as lived realities. Through divine attributes, linguistic roots, and selected scriptural references, we examine how these ideas move from theology into lived life — especially in Ramadan. What does it mean to pursue peace with integrity? How does light function as discernment rather than sentiment? A conversation for those seeking clarity, depth, and proportion this month.

Poetry & the Refugee Experience We continue Season 4 of RawPods with Rivers of Resilience - a special series centering those with lived experiences of migration, displacement, and those working alongside migrant and refugee communities. In this episode, we speak with Siraj ul Islam, a Rohingya poet and activist originally from Myanmar, who has been living as a refugee since 2017. Siraj has dedicated himself to writing and advocacy for the rights and dignity of his community. Through poetry, he bears witness to displacement, loss, and survival, while also asserting presence, memory, and resistance. He has internationally published two poetry collections amplifying Rohingya voices and experiences often erased from global narratives. Together, we explore poetry and the refugee experience — how creative expression becomes testimony, archive, and refuge; how language carries home when home is denied; and how writing sustains identity in conditions of exile. This conversation is part of Rawanee’s ongoing commitment to centering global-majority voices and refugee narratives with care, depth, and respect. 🎧 Watch or listen now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. RawPods | Rivers of Resilience #RawPods #RiversOfResilience #RefugeeVoices #Rohingya #PoetryAndJustice #MigrationStories #GlobalMajorityVoices #PoetryPodcast

We continue Season 4 of RawPods with Rivers of Resilience , a special series exploring migrant lived experiences and those working tirelessly for advocacy, justice, and human rights. In this episode, we speak with Camilla Reeve who is a poet, writer, and founder of Palewell Press. Her work amplifies voices shaped by justice, displacement, war, and the climate crisis. Through poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, her publishing centres overlooked communities and urgent global challenges. Camilla’s work bridges publishing and creative expression, grounded in empathy, resilience, and social responsibility. Content Disclaimer: This episode includes references to sensitive topics related to war, displacement, and human rights. The views and opinions expressed by guests on our podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Rawanee or its team. We respect and value our guests’ perspectives and their right to share their views. Watch or listen now on Spotify, YouTube or any podcast platform. #RawPods #RiversOfResilience #CamillaReeve #PalewellPress #HumanRights #MigrationStories #RefugeeVoices #PoetryAndJustice #SocialJusticePodcast #ClimateCrisis

As conflict and war escalate in many parts of the world, the number of refugees continues to rise—and so do polarising views on migration. In response, we bring you Rivers of Resilience, a powerful new series exploring migrant lives, art, and advocacy as part of Season 4 of RawPods. In this episode, we meet Asma Rashed, who fled the war in Syria, found refuge in Jordan, and eventually resettled in France. While in Jordan, Asma launched a grassroots reading and education initiative for girls, driven by hope and determination amidst displacement. This episode focuses on the beginning of her journey—why she left Syria, and her immediate experience as a refugee in Jordan. Asma's story is one of courage, resilience, and resistance, and we’ll continue our conversation with her in future episodes. #RiversOfResilience #BelongingInMotion #migrationshavestories #multilingual #rawanee #creativethinking #creativethought #creativeexpression #arabic #refugee #anticolonial #community #belonging #support #stories #power #courage #freedom #resilience #literature #reading #letsread #grassroots

Experience the rich tradition of Urdu Sufi poetry in this special episode as we bid goodbye to Ramadan and celebrate Eid. Featuring a journey through Urdu Sufi poetry and timeless works of renowned Urdu Sufi poets, presented by Rafey Zuberi and select verses from Rumi shared by other event guests including Sara Zamir and Talhah, hosted by Muniba. Learn about the history of Sufi poetry, its connection to mysticism and faith, and its enduring influence. Perfect for poetry lovers, spiritual seekers, and those looking to reflect. ✨ Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. RawPods Season 4, Episode 2 www.rawanee.com

In this special Ramadan episode of community reflection, we explore the profound themes of mercy, forgiveness, and salvation - both as Divine attributes and as human experiences. The reflections are guided by an understanding of Allah’s names that speak to these traits (as based on Al Ghazali’s work) and based on other texts. Through discussion and reflection, we consider how an understanding of these traits shape our spiritual growth and personal journeys. Tune in to listen, reflect, and find inspiration in this sacred season. Main Contributors: Muniba Mahmud & Saira Farooq,Joined by: Laiba Khan & guests RawPods Season 4 | Episode 1 Connect with us across our channels: Website: Rawanee.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/Rawanee.Creatives Facebook: www.facebook.com/Rawanee.Creatives Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1176103889397810/ #reflections #creativethought #ramadan #ghazali #divine #literature #poetry #pakistan #rawanee #creativethinking #creativethought #creativeexpression #pakistanipoetry #pakistaniliterature #urdupoetry #urduliterature #englishpoetry #englishliterature #southasianpoetry #southasianliterature #writingcommunity #poetrycommunity #poetrypodcast #performancepoetry #spokenwordpoetry #multilingual

An event to celebrate the life and message of the best of creation and praise the Creator, hosted in September 2024. Includes recitations of classic and original poems in Arabic, English, Turkish & Urdu. Attended by a diverse community with origins in and currently located in multiple locations across the world. We loved the soulful remembrance that brought us together and pray we have many more such beautiful events InshaAllah. Background sound: Maula ya Salli by Muhammad Al Hasayn https://youtu.be/1mfEqSzmGno?si=9vU-17hmwCe0eNhp Connect with us across our channels: Website: Rawanee.com Instagram: @Rawanee.Creatives Facebook: @RawaneeCreatives Twitter: /RawaneeCreative Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1176103889397810/

Hammad Rind and Nadir Feroz Khan represent Pakistan and Rawanee as they recite their multilingual work at Poetry Night, at the Poetry Cafe in Feb 2024. The recitations include poetry in languages spoken in Pakistan. Intro Music: Sohni Dharti instrumental by Leo Twins RawPods Season 3 | Episode 5 Connect with us across our channels: Website: Rawanee.com Instagram: @Rawanee.Creatives Facebook: @RawaneeCreatives Twitter: /RawaneeCreative Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1176103889397810/ #multilingual #independence day #14thaugust #literature #poetry #pakistan #rawanee #creativethinking #creativethought #creativeexpression #pakistanipoetry #pakistaniliterature #urdupoetry #urduliterature #englishpoetry #englishliterature #southasianpoetry #southasianliterature #writingcommunity #poetrycommunity #poetrypodcast #performancepoetry #spokenwordpoetry

“Poems from Munir Niazi, Siddiq Kalim and Adeen Taji as shared by their relatives” Spoken to & recited by Akbar Khan (Munir Niazi), Natasha Qureshi (Siddiq Kalim) & Mariam Magsi (Adeen Taji) RawPods Season 3 | Episode 4 Connect with us across our channels: Website: Rawanee.com Instagram: @Rawanee.Creatives Facebook: @RawaneeCreatives Twitter: /RawaneeCreative Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1176103889397810/ #preservation #literature #poetry #pakistan #rawanee #creativethinking #creativethought #creativeexpression #pakistanipoetry #pakistaniliterature #urdupoetry #urduliterature #englishpoetry #englishliterature #southasianpoetry #southasianliterature #writingcommunity #poetrycommunity #poetrypodcast #performancepoetry #spokenwordpoetry #multilingual

“Spiritual and reflective poetry to celebrate Arafah Day & Eid ul Adha” Written & recited by Laiba Khan, Muniba Mahmud, Talhah Mohammed RawPods Season 3 | Episode 3

That 14th August should be a time to reflect is possibly the least controversial stance toward it. Here, we hear thoughts that should help us challenge & re examine our perceptions of identity, our attitude toward language and ideas This episode is the first part of a recording of an event we hosted in May 2023 in partnership with SOAS, University of London. It includes conversation on the decolonisation of thought & identity and speaks to the Pakistani context. Speakers: Professor Salman Sayyid Dr Farah Nazir Host: Muniba Mahmud If you enjoy the podcast, please engage with it on our podcast & social media channels, and share it with others who may appreciate it :) Look us up on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok (@rawanee.creatives) and X (Rawaneecreative) #pakistan76independenceday #pakistan #rawanee #creativethinking #creativethought #creativeexpression #englishpoetry #englishliterature #southasianpoetry #southasianliterature #writingcommunity #poetrycommunity #poetsofinstagram #writersofinstragram

“Poetry that speaks to decolonization” An extract from an event we held at SOAS, university of London in May 2023 - with poetry written and recited by Shaheryar Mirza and Qudsia Akhtar. RawPods Season 3 | Episode 2