Humsafar. 'nuff said.

Humsafar. Need I explain more? Anyone who has a television in their home knows that this is one drama that needs no introduction. The sensation that has gripped the nation: Humsafar!

So, seeing the heights this hum TV serial has soared to and the place it occupies in the heart of millions of Pakistanis around the world, this is one topic a blogger just has to blog about! :D

Airing once-a-week since September 24th, Humsafar has become all the rage! Its literally everywhere! If Harry Potter is to Britain and Twilight is to U.S.A, Humsafar is totally to Pakistan! Doesn’t matter where you live or what you are doing, Saturday night, 8 pm sharp, Its Humsafar time, baby! :D


Skeptic? Lets Wikipedia it then! And I quote: “The drama is currently airing on Hum TV since September 24th and consists of 21 episodes. It has garnered the attention of the old, young and in between. The drama serial has gained a cult following globally and is critically acclaimed.” – Wikipedia.

And we all know, Wikipedia is never wrong!

However, if we cut down to the basic storyline of the drama it is not something we haven’t heard of before. It revolves around the trials and tribulation surrounding a married couple namely Ashar (played by none other than Fawad Khan :D) and Khirad (played by Mahira Khan). Why, then, is this drama so very popular?



I do have a couple of reasons:

1.THE CAST!

Fawad Khan! That really should be reason enough. The guy is not only good-looking and an awesome actor but even before he took up acting, he had gained ounces of fame being the lead singer of the popular rock band: Entity Paradigm. Not to mention his outstanding performance in the drama serial “Dastaan” last year! The guy is a total heartthrob and the reason why millions of girls tune in to humsafar every week, me being one of them! =p

Then we have Mahira Khan. Not a stranger to fame herself, she first gained popularity a few years back when she started working as a video Jockey. And again just this year she got another boost of popularity when she starred in Shoaib Mansoor’s film: Bol. Mahira’s simplicity and innocence has grabbed an audience worldwide. She has so skillfully and molded herself into the role of Khirad that when she cries in the serial, you want to cry along with her. Not that I ever have, mind it.

Then we have the Naveen Waqar! VJ-cum-actor who, despite the fact that this is her debut serial, has also amassed a massive fan-following. Portraying as an antagonist, Naveen Waqar has certainly shown some potential here.

And then ofcourse we have Atiqa Odho, Noor Hassan, Behroz Sabzwari. So, with a cast like that, it is hardly a surprise that this drama is a hit!

2.The Chemistry!

If you have ever seen the drama, you will immediately notice the chemistry between Asher and Khirad. Not only do they look good together, the suit each other perfectly. Khirad, a simple, innocent, country girl and Asher, a caring, accomplished city boy. Who wouldn’t like to watch such a guy falling in love with such a girl?

3.The Simplicity.

Really, what is so eye-catching about this drama is how close it hits home to reality. There are no over-the-counter scenes, no drama, no that-never-happens-in-the-real-life moments! The scenes, the situations are absolutely plausible.

Humsafar is simple yet enchanting. For a crowd of people who have been watching dramas with impossible storylines for ages (Indian, included), this new natural storyline is refreshing!

There are no arduous declarations of love, or far-fetched romance. Here and there are small, simple gestures which slowly infuse in the viewers how much in love both the main characters are.

The screenplay is good and the directing is awesome.

4.The Title Song!!!
Where to start! The music, the lyrics and the way it so artfully catches the essence of the drama is amazing. QB (short for Qurat-ul-ain Baloch) – the artist singing this song- has infused her soul into it.

But for me, it’s the lyrics that have made the most impact. They are simply beautiful.

‘Woh humsafar tha magar usse humnawai na thi’

And there we go. All the reasons why humsafar is a must-watch! All in all, this drama is one-of-a-kind so do not miss it!

Technology and Us!

I remember about 10 years ago, when our world's technology was only limited to a television set and window air-conditioners whose cool air came with a price of continuous racket throughout the night. When the introduction of a portable telephone was a miracle on its own and was owned only by a choice number of people. When radios were large devices with long antennas and a lot of static. If told back then, that in a matter of just a few more years our technology would take a giant leap from huge TV sets to flat LCDs -or better yet LEDs - when cell phones would not be used only as a means of contacting people away from home but also as a personal address book, computer, GPS and what-not, when the huge radios would be replaced by iPods, I would've given a polite smile, shook my head in an incredulous no and walked away.

Yet, merely 10 years later, we now live in a world absolutely ruled by technology! It has taken over every aspect of one’s life, whether it be work, play, leisure, or information -basically anything! There is absolutely no doubt that information technology has changed our world as we know it. Every aspect of our life is affected by it. But how much has our life changed from 10 years ago to now by this wave of machines and computers and all these gadgets and gizmos. It would probably take a whole book to explain only the basic changes information technology has brought in our life, so, for now, let us only review how it has affected work and working practices in the past 10 years.

If one just standstill in their working place , close their eyes and for one moment think about the technology surrounding them, it would take them but a minute to see how much they owe to it. It doesn't matter if you are an engineer, a doctor, a mechanic or a clerk- technology rules all.



In the past, to ensure that a single message be delivered from one place to another, following steps would have to be taken: a messenger would have to be sought, then means of a transport be found, getting to the intended destination, delivering the message and then the return of the messenger back to where he started from. Now, after 10 years, all it takes is one email from your pc or from your cell phone! And it would be delivered within a fraction of a second!

Calculations that would've taken hours can now be done within minutes! Information can easily be stored on a computer or a USB instead of keeping and managing thousands of files and folders that not only take up a lot of space but are also much less efficient!

Above all, seeking information, downloading data, managing accounts, transferring files, keeping an eye on market competitors as well as promoting your product can all be possible with the help of the mother of all technology, the internet! Indeed, the place that now various social websites hold for the promotion of a company, a product or an idea is spectacular!

That is not all! We have machines to help us everywhere! When previously it would've have taken ages for a farmer to ready his fields, it can now be done in a matter of hours with the help of a bulldozer. When, previously, thousands of lives were lost almost every day due to illnesses and ailments, can now be easily treated in hospitals due to the innovative technology that can be found there not only for the treatment but also to find the cures! Indeed, as technology advances it helps us make better plans, think ahead and, in turn, produce more advanced technology in the future, setting in motion a cycle.
But technology, along with its various wonderful pros, also has its cons. Since its advent, technology has reduced the energy that used to be spent on a single task, meaning machines have continuously been replacing humans! Less manpower is needed; hence, there is more unemployment! What would have previously taken twenty men to complete one job can now be done with a single device!

Also, the problem of increasing pollution cannot be ignored. Most of this is because of the harmful waste products released by many of the machines and equipments.

So, although technology has improved our quality of life superbly, its flaws cannot be ignored. Let's just hope that in future the advancement of technology will bring to us cures for these downfalls as well!