Young Labourers at Rest: These young men labour through the night at the fisheries, finding solace in the sea’s embrace after their toil. They take respite, cleansing themselves, before returning to work, often staying away from home for days. This is their daily routine, showcasing their unwavering dedication to their demanding jobs and a lack of opportunities for education__Photographs and Stories by Qasim Ali

LIFE AND BELONGING IN MACHHAR COLONY

Photographer Qasim Ali provides a poignant and insider’s glimpse into the daily life, joys and struggles of the residents of Machhar Colony.
Qasim Ali | Tahera Hasan Published September 24, 2023

In 2012, I started working on social development projects in Machhaira Colony, also known as Machhar Colony, and began to engage with the children and youth in the community.

Machhar Colony is an informal settlement in Karachi of about 800,000 people, next to the harbour and near the old settlement of Lyari. Sixty-five percent of its residents are ethnic Bengalis, most of whom are connected to the occupation of fishing.

Over time, my fascination with any initiative that involved young people in a creative process, allowing them to express their lives through art, grew. Among these community-driven endeavours, the Machhar Colony Facebook page stood out for me. I became increasingly curious about the individuals working behind the scenes to make this initiative a reality.

Divided by Opportunity: Homegrown community solutions to a lack of recreational facilities. However there are still children who cannot even afford the meagre payment. They watch with a deep-rooted sense of deprivation while waiting for their mothers to come out of their employment at the shrimp-peeling factory.
Divided by Opportunity: Homegrown community solutions to a lack of recreational facilities. However there are still children who cannot even afford the meagre payment. They watch with a deep-rooted sense of deprivation while waiting for their mothers to come out of their employment at the shrimp-peeling factory.

Driven by my curiosity, I reached out by sending a message to the contact number listed on the page, requesting a meeting with the individuals responsible for this interesting project. Three young men accepted my invitation and made their way to my field office. Qasim Ali was one of them.

In our initial meeting, it became evident that, while the other two were talkative and communicative, Qasim was a man of few words. However, I was keen to delve into the depths of their project, urging them to share their motivations, and the hows and whys of running a social media page dedicated to their community.

Photographer Qasim Ali provides a poignant and insider’s glimpse into the daily life, joys and struggles of the residents of Karachi’s Machhaira Colony. Eos presents a selection of images of a marginalised community, as seen by a member of that community…

Through our discussions, I came to discover that Qasim was the visionary behind the project, serving as its primary manager. As time passed, I had multiple interactions with Qasim, but it was during his tenure as an art teacher for Imkaan Welfare Organisation’s summer art program that I truly got to know him better. Those ensuing months were marked by sheer joy for the children, as Qasim transformed the art classes into spaces of freedom, expression and unadulterated joy.

Qasim Ali — affectionately known as DJ Qasim — was born in Machhar Colony’s vibrant and dynamic neighbourhood. From an early age, he exhibited an innate talent for the arts and, today, he stands as a self-taught artist, photographer and aspires to make his mark as a DJ remix producer.

Scenes from a Fish Drying Factory: Against the backdrop of an expansive sky, brightly hued fish, laid out methodically on wooden racks, form a striking mosaic. The sun, a tireless artisan, gradually transforms the catch into a symphony of russets, golds and ambers.
Scenes from a Fish Drying Factory: Against the backdrop of an expansive sky, brightly hued fish, laid out methodically on wooden racks, form a striking mosaic. The sun, a tireless artisan, gradually transforms the catch into a symphony of russets, golds and ambers.

Qasim’s artistic journey began with a childhood fascination for cartoons. He learned to draw by immersing himself in the details of animated creations. Through diligent observation and practice, he honed his artistic skills, showcasing an early dedication to his craft. This self-driven approach laid the foundation for his future endeavours as an artist, which can be seen in his skill as a photographer. His passion for music mirrors his dedication to art — a commitment to self-improvement and an unquenchable thirst for creative expression.

His life story is not just about personal growth through challenging circumstances but also about his commitment to improving his community and his dreams of exploring the world through his artistic lens.

Seafood Lifeline: After being collected, these shrimps are peeled before being meticulously spread out and left to dry under the sun. This crucial step is carried out by children who have taken on the responsibility of assisting in this process.
Seafood Lifeline: After being collected, these shrimps are peeled before being meticulously spread out and left to dry under the sun. This crucial step is carried out by children who have taken on the responsibility of assisting in this process.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Qasim’s life is his unwavering commitment to making arts and education accessible to the children in his community. Machhar Colony, like many underprivileged communities, faces its share of challenges — specifically because a large percentage of the community faces issues obtaining identity documents, leaving children out of school.

However Qasim believes in the transformative power of art and education. As an Imkaan Youth Leader, he has taken it upon himself to be a beacon of inspiration for the youth in his neighbourhood, fostering creativity and learning through his art.

Diving Into Dreams: In the Shamsuddin neighbourhood, a former cattle enclosure has been transformed into a swimming pool, offering an informal solution to the dearth of recreational opportunities. Previously this used to be space for drinking water for goats and cows. Despite the less-than-sanitary conditions, children eagerly contribute Rs 30 for a three-hour session, providing them with a welcome break from their everyday lives.
Diving Into Dreams: In the Shamsuddin neighbourhood, a former cattle enclosure has been transformed into a swimming pool, offering an informal solution to the dearth of recreational opportunities. Previously this used to be space for drinking water for goats and cows. Despite the less-than-sanitary conditions, children eagerly contribute Rs 30 for a three-hour session, providing them with a welcome break from their everyday lives.

Through his Facebook platform, Qasim shares his photographs, capturing the essence of life in his community. These poignant images, unsullied by an outsider’s gaze, provide a unique window into the daily lives, struggles, and triumphs of the people who call Machhar Colony home.

Photographer Qasim Ali, affectionately known in the community as DJ Qasim, is a man of many artistic talents. He believes in the power of art to transform society and has been a big proponent of public art in Machhar Colony, especially guiding the young towards it.
Photographer Qasim Ali, affectionately known in the community as DJ Qasim, is a man of many artistic talents. He believes in the power of art to transform society and has been a big proponent of public art in Machhar Colony, especially guiding the young towards it.

A Dance of Abandon: As the day comes to an end, an elderly man effortlessly weaves through graceful rhythms, inspired by the tunes of spiritual music. His dancing draws children and the youth, giving them respite from the trials of their daily lives.
A Dance of Abandon: As the day comes to an end, an elderly man effortlessly weaves through graceful rhythms, inspired by the tunes of spiritual music. His dancing draws children and the youth, giving them respite from the trials of their daily lives.

Two Worlds, One Photograph: Two divergent worlds collide within a single frame. A young boy engrossed in a book symbolises the unwavering pursuit of education, his gaze fixed on a brighter future, while another young man happily sells colourful balloons in an attempt to earn and contribute to his family income. This shows the delicate balance between youthful dreams and the challenging realities faced by many.
Two Worlds, One Photograph: Two divergent worlds collide within a single frame. A young boy engrossed in a book symbolises the unwavering pursuit of education, his gaze fixed on a brighter future, while another young man happily sells colourful balloons in an attempt to earn and contribute to his family income. This shows the delicate balance between youthful dreams and the challenging realities faced by many.

Young Resilience: While the mothers toil as informal labourers at shrimp-peeling factories, their little girls patiently wait outside for their mothers to return. These resilient young girls occasionally indulge in an ice cream as a simple treat to satiate their hunger.
Young Resilience: While the mothers toil as informal labourers at shrimp-peeling factories, their little girls patiently wait outside for their mothers to return. These resilient young girls occasionally indulge in an ice cream as a simple treat to satiate their hunger.

Flags and Searching Souls: Beneath the fluttering Pakistani flags on the boats, these young men struggle with questions of belonging and identity, as the sea mirrors their journey of self-discovery. Many of the ethnic Bengalis from Machhar Colony are denied identity documents, leaving them stateless.
Flags and Searching Souls: Beneath the fluttering Pakistani flags on the boats, these young men struggle with questions of belonging and identity, as the sea mirrors their journey of self-discovery. Many of the ethnic Bengalis from Machhar Colony are denied identity documents, leaving them stateless.

Finding Strength in Stillness: In the midst of challenging working conditions, a man sits, visibly exhausted, having dedicated his entire day to the demanding task of placing pipes for the community’s gutter line. His moment of rest is not merely a pause in his work but a well-earned respite, a fleeting escape from the relentless demands of the job. It encapsulates the dedication and sacrifice of individuals committed to enhancing their community’s infrastructure.
Finding Strength in Stillness: In the midst of challenging working conditions, a man sits, visibly exhausted, having dedicated his entire day to the demanding task of placing pipes for the community’s gutter line. His moment of rest is not merely a pause in his work but a well-earned respite, a fleeting escape from the relentless demands of the job. It encapsulates the dedication and sacrifice of individuals committed to enhancing their community’s infrastructure.

The Streets of Machhar Colony: The alleys are filled with the aroma of street food, the chatter of haggling customers and a palpable sense of purpose. In this humble — yet — thriving corner of the world, evenings like these capture the spirit of perseverance and hope.
The Streets of Machhar Colony: The alleys are filled with the aroma of street food, the chatter of haggling customers and a palpable sense of purpose. In this humble — yet — thriving corner of the world, evenings like these capture the spirit of perseverance and hope.

Qasim Ali is a photographer and artist based in Machhar Colony. His work can be viewed on both Instagram and Facebook at @macharcolonyofficial

Tahera Hasan is a lawyer and the founder-director of Imkaan Welfare Organisation. X:@taherahasan

Published in Dawn, EOS, September 24th, 2023

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