PART I: INSIDE PAKISTAN'S RED LIGHT DISTRICT
80
There is a certain winding road in the ancient walled city of Lahore, walking down which you come face to face with the real heart of life. Rising like the heat and sand of centuries past, almost as old as the Mughals themselves, it’s life staring you boldly in the face: hot, humid, stark….it makes you sweat with it’s unblinking, almost naked intensity. I have found here the cure for any sadness that torments the human soul….have felt my own melt into insignificance in it’s grimy dust.
Hedged in by the majestic 'Emperor's Mosque', lies here the Heera Mandi or Diamond Market….which is the infamous Red light district of Pakistan. Once famed for its courtesans and dancers sought by princes and noblemen, the modern day sex trade is a far cry from it. Yet, military coups, taliban regimes, poverty and wars are the changing winds against which this island of dark pleasures and revelry has stood the test of time…almost like the beating heart of this dusty old city.
A place of darkness….it comes alive only as the sun sets in its russet sky. The swiftly falling night blankets the poverty and dirt that lies exposed by the day. The smell of rich sweet delights mingles with that of freshly sliced coconut and sugar cane, as vendors call to the passing crowd, with wooden stalls piled high with spices, mangoes, cucumbers, and all kinds of exotic wares. Hawkers roam with strings of roses and jasmine petals, along with beggars with scrawny outstretched hands. Lurking at corners, drug dealers exchange grubby hands with loafers; shady pimps with prospective customers. And everywhere... the heat and chaos of breathing, sweating humanity pressed together.
The sound of tabla, or eastern drums reaches you even before you step into the brothels. Blaring from transistors are popular bollywood songs, rising over the din of beeping horns, motor cycles and donkey carts. Rickety buildings jostle one another as if each is fighting to hold on to every last inch of it’s space on the ground.
Women dressed seductively in bright silk tunics and tinsel, perch on the upper storied windows, beckoning you with henna painted hands with glass bangles. There are no doors to the dimly lit buildings, but just myriad coloured curtains hanging at the entrance of each….witholding the promise of secret pleasures within.
Once inside the curtained room, all else fades away. A nod to the right person, an exchange of notes, and suddenly you’re looking within the jewel case itself: A young girl gently sways her hips to music….the ‘gungroo’ or little metallic bells strapped to her feet making a little tinkle as her feet softly strike the ground. Her olive skin gives off the jasmine aroma of distant lands….her long dark hair moving alluringly against her slim waist… her eyes with their far away gaze, blackened with kohl. Portly businessmen lean back on cushions against the walls, twirling mustaches and drinking hashish. One can almost sense lust like a living presence in the room, making one choke on it.
The girl dances….the fans overhead whirl…and the sultry heat keeps twisting and rising in an endless circle of desire. As old as time itself. The woman gives them a fantasy to carry home with them….to smile at as they go about their other, real lives…to dream of as they lie besides the mother of their children at night….
At first glance, yes. But these ‘jewels’ in this diamond market of flesh mask an ugly core. Under the glamorous exterior is a rotting, foul reality….one that reeks with misery like the stench of gutters in the back alleys. Some of these girls have been forced into this profession as young as 11, disease and aids a possible threat no one wants to face. Birth control is an unheard of concept so that many of them get pregnant before their 16th birthday, after which their market value falls rapidly.
Children, born to the trade, run around astray like the starving dogs in the filthy streets. For a pretty girl, the prospects are still better: that of being sold to a rich arab sheikh in the middle east, or being 'kept' by rich business men in the posh city neighbourhoods. Till she reaches her shelf life, that is. But mostly, by 30, it means being reduced to an early old age, countless unwanted pregnancies, and eventually selling oneself for as cheap as 20 rupees i.e. less that a dollar even! And only one motive driving them all: the fear of starvation from poverty that looms large and dark in every corner of their benighted world.
In a muslim society, dominated by men, she’s cursed….spat at…an unclean necessity that must be tolerated so that men can guard their ‘respectable' marriages back home. Used and discarded as if no more than an object…she’s as easily dispensable, as the next girl in line reaching puberty.
....And yet, the dance must go on…. her smile must camouflage the tears burning within…..and her eyes with their dark haunted look must keep staring into the distance…where no light ever shines for her.
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The Dancing Girls of Lahore: Selling Love and Saving Dreams in Pakistan's Ancient Pleasure District
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The Dancing Girls of Lahore: Selling Love and Saving Dreams in Pakistan's Pleasure District (P.S.)
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The Pakistani Bride: A Novel
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Comments
you're welcome Mr.happy....been reading your stuff...great work! cheers!
A very informative and superbly written piece. I hope that one day a light will shine for for these women…
thank you so much Nancy...yes, one can only hope...
"....And yet, the dance must go on…. her smile must camouflage the tears burning within…..and her eyes with their dark haunted look must keep staring into the distance…where no light ever shines for her."
I am keeping that for anytime that I feel selfpity in my own life, a truly remarkable hub that so took me into a world that I can only say scares me. The UK have life easy compared to this, I feel greatful for my life after reading your hubs, you keep writing young lady, I will make you laugh and you educate me in your culture. Many hugs to my fav writer !
hey, BC where would hubpages be without your magnetic presence and wit!? you're a real sweetheart....thanks a million! x
You are more than welcome young lady, please read my Ireland Poem and give me your honest opinion.
And again you bring up images that live and breathe. I can smell that street.
it's a strange mix of beauty and misery...these south asian cities. thanks for reading cally2...cheers!
Your hub has been put into the vote for best hub by a newcomer and you are leading so far, I am so pleased for you, here is the link.
i really like the henna body work that i have seen on a lot of the dancers,at other sites
This is remarkably written. I love your use of metaphors, similes, and the extreme detailed descriptions you used in this hub. Beautiful.
Loveofnight, yes...henna is beautiful, isn't it...these women have mastered the art..!
Wesley, coming from someone as talented as you, I value every word. thank you so much...
BC!!! I can't believe this!!! for someone like me, it's overwhelming.....I'm just happy with the few people who read my work and genuinely feel it. Thank you for being there...(hugs)
Interesting and informative hub. Look forward to reading more from you.
I came across this on the Hubnuggets blog, congratulations on your nomination. You have a gift of poetic writing; the writing is vivid with imagery. I could have wished you expanded a little more on the plight of the girls. I wish this hub was longer; I would have liked to read more. Very good writing!!!! I feel so sorry for those girls. I wish I could help them escape to a better life with more chances.
thanks for reading Jerilee and Paradise. Yes, I actually cut short the hub because i felt it might be too much for most readers, but I plan to write a follow up to this soon...thanks once again for all the appreciation!
What a wonderful way with words. You paint a vivid picture, and I echo Paradise, more please.
Also, congratulations on the HubNugget Wannabe nomination and good luck!
Great job! fantastic writing, you have my vote!
I'm so deeply grateful to you all...thank you Duchess and High for taking the time to read...take care...will be reading your work soon too...x
If a picture paints a thousand words then you have painted a masterpiece. You are a truly gifted writer, I am in awe.
I read some of your other posts and believe you should take your 'place' among the great writer's of today. Your thoughts need to be shared with more than the hubbers found on this site. The world is an open book and you can fill a void with your words. I sincerely hope you are considering finding an agent/publisher and sharing your ownworld, I have not been as moved reading anything for quite some time. You are an incredible gift to us all.
With admiration and warmest wishes.
Really pleased that your natural talent is being spotted, have a good weekend my good friend !
I nearly cried (happy tears) at your words Carmen....I guess, a simple 'thank you' is too small a word for appreciation such as yours....yes, i always dreamt of being a writer, but at the moment, I couldn't ask for more than to have a place like this where i can pour out my thoughts...and have them read and felt by brilliant minds!...thank you once again x
And BC...you're a sweetheart....my first real fan here....have a good one too....!
Wonderful and insightful, not many people writing hubs like this. Well done.
Absolutely wonderful piece. Congrats on your HubNuggets nomination.
I am absolutely quiet after reading your hub My Own World. You have beautifully captured certain things and to actually feel the emotions .. ahhh! Congratulations for being a Hubnugget Wannabe! Don't hesitate to promote to your friends and family. Yes, even non hubbers can vote. http://hubpages.com/_hubnuggets10/hub/cirque-du Enjoy the Cirque Du Hubnuggets!
thank you Chesney, rmcrayne and ripple for reading and appreciating.
I feel overwhelmed at being nominated, but I just cannot bring myself to view this as a competition (or ask people to vote for me)...I just pour my soul into my work...and if my words reach and touch even one person out there, it's joy for me. thank you all..X
MOW,
You definitely have a gift for writing, transporting and therefore reaching people. As a fellow competitor for HubNuggets, I was skeptical about BadCo’s high praise. I thought ‘she can’t be that good’ and wondered what his angle was. Then I read your hub, and hat’s off to Bad, he was absolutely right. I think you will do far more than write and entertain people, you will influence. All the best to you.
Rose Mary
it's a wonderful feeling being read by writers as talented as you yourself are, so thank you! BC is like my mentor here....without his encouragement, I'd be lost. Bless his generous soul....
Sometimes we take for granted what luxuries we do have in the US.
This is what I enjoy the most about Hub Pages, a fresh view into other parts of this world.
You go girl! Keep up the good work, I could picture it like I was there!
Hi myownworld;
Just wanted to say hello and congrats, on making Shirley Anderson's HubNugget Roundup!
Keep up the good work... I like your Hub!
Beautifully written MyOwnWorld!!
Although the world of which you speak is soooooooooo far removed from my own on the surface, there are universal truths/shame that all women carry!!
Thank you sooooooooooooo much for shedding light on this part of the world!! Prayers for our lovely sisters who find themselves a commodity!!
Blessings always, Earth Angel!!
Hi,
Good informative contents.
Keep it up !
This hub has some very good descriptive material; it's like the "new journalism" as they once called it. Of course, human nature shows its darker side in the "red light" trade. It really is appalling what human beings do to each other. Maybe you could give us an indepth hub about the life of one of these unfortunate women. Later!
I am literally at loss of words to praise this amazing piece of writing. I was hoping to find just another article on Heera Mandi, but i am surprised at what I found here.
You have done a marvelous job, keep it up my dear, you are going to bag a great fame by your writing.
I just wish I could write like you :)
wow wt a pleasure to read, slike a bit of poetry>: wt sneaky and evocative flow you use to craft this unknown perspective for us in real time with sights and sounds and smells and despair. beautiful.
A big thank you to Shipsuper, Moneyglitch, Earth, Forex, Cosmo, Nexpert and Grrowl for your wonderful and warm words. It's my pleasure entirely that u found the time to read and comment!
Yes, Earth I know what you mean....and I think we can all feel their pain even sitting in the comfort of our homes...Yes, Kosmo, I plan to do more on my next visit to lahore....Nexpert just pour your heart into your writings and hopefully it will reach people...Grr you just make me smile...thank you all!!
I felt as though I was there. Thanks for the great hub!
My pleasure John...thanks for stopping by!
I've got something to learn about a good writing. Thank you for sharing.
You have the ability to put the reader right in the middle of whatever you are writing. I've read this three times now, and everytime can see the fat business men lining the walls, I can smell the scent in the air and I can see and hear the unrulely kids running the streets. In the words of Hank Moody "You can't make someone a writer, either they have it or they don't." Well you definately have it. And you've got a death grip on it.
Great job!
I'm just overwhelmed at your words blood. I think ever since a kid I've wanted to write..hell, my thoughts sometimes come to me as sentences in my very sleep....it's crazy! thanks for reading...for all you've felt... for the wonderful appreciation! x
This is so well written, powerful and heartbreaking. I'm looking forward to reading more of your work.
thank you Amy for reading and the kind words...and best of luck with that job! x
Awesome myownworld. The way you have potrayed the emotions is simply brilliant. I have also voted for ur hub and it really deserves to win. I knw how it feels when you win, coz I had also won when I was new and I hope u will win too. Keep inspiring mortals like us. Tc
jay thanks for reading and your wonderful words of encouragement! you put a big smile on my face! take care..
Intense. Fantastic. Thank you :)
cry: thank you for reading...and appreciating!
I am really happy to be in a new world via your eyes, definitely this is your ourownworld.
what a lovely thing to say soni....! thank you so much....
Thank you for the education. Nobody can shine a light on this subject as brilliantly as you do. Still it was hard to read, and I feel so helpless to do anything about it. I try my best to speak out on the injustice here in my country. I'm on the Political Hub. LOL to you.
my pleasure entirely Friendly...there's power in words, and hope lives through them...so just voicing them seems to me a form of positive energy that we put out there. keep writing..and thank you for reading!
Insightful and incisive. Poignant as well. TQ
thank you stormhunter for reading...a few words can say so much !
The story is sad and breaks my heart, but your way of telling the story is remarkable and your writing is beautiful.
escritor, thank you for all your wonderful comments....yes, writing is second nature to me...my thoughts literally come in my mind as 'sentences' that i need to pin down...it's crazy actually! anyway, pleasure to be read by you...cheers!
I'm so glad you left a comment on Best Wishes, otherwise I might not have found you for quite some time. I've read two articles of yours so far and found both of them very moving. I'm looking forward to the next one.
I'm a little late, but your words express so much. It is always a pleasure to read them. I've only just discovered how to track my comments... it will be a long evening... no morning. LOL
Really interesting hub. Your writing style is great.
thank you English, Carmen and Nia for the lovely comments! it's a wonderful feeling to be read and appreciated...so cheers for stopping by and making my day!
Myownworld, I cannot tell you how much your piece tore at my heart. I weep for these gals and more so since a young gal went missing here in FL and the fear we have in knowing about human trafficking with gals ending up in brothels as far away as Asia. Your writing is so sensitive and brings me to tears: a sign that you transported us there.
Excellent writing.
I was most touched by your words Zenani. It's my pleasure to be read by you...thank you.
With every hub of yours I learn more and more of you and from where you originated. Your writing is of the very best quality and you give me cause to catch my breath and almost cry of what my mind sees and the smells and sounds become so real. A moment there I could smell the sewer of man's debauchery of shame. The horrors of life for these young maids are so heart breaking. Thank you for sharing this MOW. CC
I am moved to tears by all your comments.....a writer for whom I have such respect and warmth in my heart! thank you...a happy, silent one... straight from the heart x
Oh my! You're such a gifted writer! What a picture you paint! It's a terrible shame what those women go through, and for a small fraction of military aid we send to Pakistan, we could probably buy them all and give them a chance at a real life! Who knows what those people could be capable of if given a real chance. It's so sad and I feel so helpless....
i know Poppa....for someone like u who believes so much in love, i can imagine how you must have felt reading this. With all that positivity u put out in the world, let's hope some of it travels to them...and gives them hope somehow! thanks darling for stopping by...x
Mr. Happy says:
2 months ago
Very good blog! Thank you for it.