Two-time Gourmand Award winner, and Pakistan’s leading independent publishing house, Markings Publishing, is all set to launch its eleventh title ‘Moon Rise’ by poet and photographer Bilal Hamid at the 9th Karachi Literature Festival today, i.e. Sunday, 11th February 2018 at the Beach Luxury Hotel [Society Suites].
Hamid’s first published title; Moon Rise comprises of 32 poems each of which is a form of experience expressed by the author such as meditations, impressions and reactions to diverse phenomena and ideas. Hamid’s fascination with words, sounds and styles of expression has shaped these writings. Indeed, Moon Rise is the culmination of his readings and research relating to the modern human condition and particularly literature and poetry. His personal musical influences from Classic Jazz, Reggae and the lyricism of Rock and Roll have created his vernacular which is visible in the poetic verses.
“After an extensive journey, it is an honour to see my work in its form of completion as a published title. I am awestruck and humbled to see my words and ideas in print after a developing it over a substantial number of years.” said the poet Bilal Hamid.
On the launch of the book, CEO Markings Publishing, Kiran Aman said: “We are really excited to be collaborate with Bilal Hamid on the launch of his first title Moon Rise. This is infact our second poetry title after The Cave. Poetry, in a general sense, is an expression of one’s imagination and being a music buff myself, it really inspired me how Bilal has expressed his musical influences into poetic words. I personally feel poetry is still an important and culturally relevant modern art and at Markings that’s our core ethos, providing a platform that encourages a diversity of expression.”
Indeed, its Bilal Hamid’s diversity of work as a writer in various capacities from journalism and literary editor, to being a copy and scriptwriter along with the time he spent in Jakarta and Shanghai during his adolescent years, and later while pursuing his undergraduate degree in Massachusetts, that he was exposed to, and gained, international and multicultural experience in art, music, and film, all of which is reflective in his first published title, Moon Rise. Hamid is also a passionate photographer having contributed his photographs to various magazines and websites. He is also a resident contributor at the Karachi Literature Festival as a guest speaker in 2013, 2014 and 2016 and has recited his work at other literary platforms aswell.
Published by Markings, the poetry book has been edited by Salman Tarik Kureshi with the book cover design and layout by Mahwish Rizvi. The book is now available at Liberty Books outlets across Pakistan, Book Mart and online at www.kitabain.com for PKR 500.
