About: Shaheen Sultan Dhanji
(October 2011 – - )
Welcome to Blood-Ink-Diary !
I am a Social – International Development Consultant by profession, a dilettante freelance writer, musician (acoustic guitar) and an activist by innate attributes. 
Ah ! I have no polish nor style, all the same, I have a heart and mind, thus I have entered my own realm, I create. In fact, I do not consider myself an artist — I am only a corpus of experiences, mistakes and aspirations. Blood Ink Diary is not a claim to my creativity, nor, a persuasion to my intelligence, it is a simple diary of the subjects that are close to my heart, for those voices that are marginalised and absent – to discover the ‘humaness’ in a human being and not by injecting noxious elements of betrayal and profound wounds, nor, the fever of vacillations and improbity that plague our world. Gratefully, my strong nerves and veins keep the blood ink from running dry and holds ever steadfast against the repeated stabbings of my pen — where I continue to treasure and probe the ‘spinal chord’ of the world, of our lives, our consciousness — transfiguring blood into ink.
I am currently engaged in a theatre art project.
Thank you for visiting !
(note: the ads you see on certain pages are not my subscription(s), nor, am I promoting them, I have no idea why they appear – part of wordpress system ?!)
Shaheen Sultan, you are dynamic and a very interesting blog…love your zest for humanity and activism.
Best of luck in your life.
Ali Haider
Thank you for visiting!
@Mashaal, thanks for enjoying my blog. Ah, as for email — I am really not good at emailing, besides my writings (as you like) can be found on this blogzine. Hope you visit again. Thanks for understanding.
@Shabnamphoto: So kind of you to visit my blog! am very humbled by your generous comment, as your photographs are brilliant. You sure have an eye for shooting _ well the creative shooting!! lol. God bless.
@George Weaver: how sweet of you to pay such compliments. Yes, Soma is a wonderful soul, as is her mum — I have never personally met these lovely ladies, however, we are part of each other’s journey. My own mum is a gem and I am most proud to have such a mother in my life, my best friend.
@Explorations: Very kind of you – do visit again!
Thank you to all the lovely people who clicked the ‘like’ icon (above). Am grateful that you visited and relished the blog.
Cheers,
Shaheen
A very interesting superb blog, your writings gives me lots to reflect.
Hey how can I contact you by e-mail? I’m not seeing contact link here….I would love to know your writings some more….really like your blog.
Thankyou.
Mashaal
What an absolutely inspiring mind is yours, I’m humbled by your blog and your awesome humility. I think you are 100% a creative spirit. Am thrilled to have you in my circle of life. Have a great day.
I came here from Soma. You two are beautiful women. And, you are equally brilliant.
Your Maa is one fortunate mother. I look forward to reading and enjoying this blog.
Honest sentiments. Thank you for sharing them here and for your blog.
Blog on …
Jamie Dedes
Hello Shaheen!
I have nominated you for the Sunshine Award. For more information, go here: http://wp.me/p27uZp-a3
Cheers,
George
Thank you, dear George, for nominating my humble abode for an award. Your visits to my blogzine is always meaningful to me. I must apologise for my lack in nominating you and others as I do not know how to (but shall buckle down to learning the procedures! lol), nevertheless, I thank you and equally relish your blog, my dear friend! Cheers.
Your site is great Shaheen ,Excellent work you have here more power to you
Shaheen, I’m so proud of knowing you and this awesome blog. I always believed in your talents as a writer and more….this blog doesn’t surprise but makes me truly happy to know that you are contributing in making this world a better place.
Truly fantastic work, looking forward to reading more.
I am very proud of you.
Asad
Your blog has a balance of thought, feeling, mind and action. In your poetry you are real to your pain and joy. I simply love your book selection, you’re very well read.
Blessings of Almighty to you & continue writing.
Thanks.
Jai Mishra
Dehradun, India
Very nice to “meet” you here! Looking forward to exploring your blog!
anne
Dear Shaheen,
I am writing to invite you for a potential contribution for our Magazine, Economic Affairs. The magazine will focus on issues relating to economy, international trade
and climate change. I have seen your blog and areas of interests
and I believe that your worthy write ups will create a great interest
among our readers. I will suggest you to write on issues of internally
displaced humanitarian relief.
Please write to me if interested in coming on board.
Regards,
Sajid Gondal
Editor
Hello Shaheen, it is so pleasant to have find your blog. Aap beskhak mubarkbad ke mustaheq hain, aur yaqeenan perfectionist. Aap ki website dekh kar ji khush ho jaata hai. I see how you are meticulous in your postings and very sophisticated woman.
Hum sab aapke sath hain aur aapki koshish mein aapke shareek…
Niyaz Kesh,
Neelam
What an incredibly wonderful and interesting blog!
I wonder why and how I didn’t stumble upon this before, because honestly – I could read through all of it an entire day.
Your candid expression and the wide scope of things that you write on, are a refreshing burst in the blogsphere!
Much Love,
Hafsa
@ Hafsa: What a lovely message, dear one. I have visited your blog and what a bundle of treasure I found. Loved the article on ‘Sheedis’ and you express quite remarkably – may your journey be full of greater meaning, humaisha! Well, here is to knowing the other ! Love & cheers.
@T.A: A surprise visit from you! yes, the conversation in the plane was interesting. Keep in touch.
@Ranadive: Thank you!
@Saad: So glad you relished the seminar. Thanks for visiting!
@Sharmishtha: Thank you for liking the blog – I have enjoyed seeing your visits here!
@Soha & Charanpreet: Uff! lol. Aap dono ko kya ho gaya?! I have been told by few people about Kangna and my resemblence…hmmm..Nah!
@Sudhir: I appreciate your thoughts. Hope you enjoy the Blood Ink Diary !
@Haroon, Nada, Rakesh: Such a a pleasure to have your imprints on my blog! Yes, Haroon, it was a pleasure to have met you too. Mamnoon, for lovely comment. Nada, always a great cheer when we meet. Rakesh, a musician like yourself can understand the various musical sides to me.
Thank you for leaving your imprints on my blog, am truly grateful.
Cheers. Ssd
for one u r beautiful, for two u r stylishly elegant, for three had i never dropped by i wdnt have known u were famous. and well thankyou for having paid me a visit. i wish i was as resilient and unswerving in writings and in life as u are. but alas hazron khwahshain aisi…. good to know u dear lady.
That your name ‘Mahlaqa’ is a significant name in history – as there once was an 18th century Indian Urdu poet Mahlaqa Bai aka Chanda Bibi who was the first woman to have penned a full collection of Urdu poetry (ghazals). I have truly relished your sphere. Ah, it is important to desire, as in the words of Ghalib’s, “hazaaron khwahishein aisi”, to only find the realm of the inner and outer climate of the mind and heart. Your own beauty, intelligence and elegance sees that of mine. Buhut shukria. Keep penning….for it’s in the womb of space we find resilient awakenings. Best wishes, Shaheen
oh wow i never knew any other mahlaqa but me.. but mahlaqa is just me i guess
i am so very grateful for ur kind words for me. i would love it if u could find some time for a few of my posts and leave ur feed back there. it will be significant for me to know ur opinion.
namely: the artist’s montage
Dagh-i-Dilbari
I and Him prelude
and the lilies cried.
thankyou S.
Applause for a super nice blog! I love the music section and going through your articles and poems.
Certainly will pay visits soon enough. It was an interesting plane ride to talk to you! (Sorry for not letting you read your book!) time just flew and destination reached….
T.A.
Wonderful words !!
Hello Shaheen, it was amazing to hear your lecture on cultural diversity. The musical component was superb. It is a pleasure to have met you and now I’m going to spend some time reading your blog. You’re a very impressionable and quite a lady!
Thank you Shaheen.
Regards,
Saad Mahmood
its a beautiful way of living life. i love the look of your website.
So true, Chranpreet! Hey, Shaheen, this is dead on true…yes.
Keep inspiring us with the posts on your blog………a great pleasure to read your world.
Soha
Shaheen, I can’t believe the stark resemblence between you and an Indian actress KANGNA RENAUT (note movies: gangster, woh lamhe, life in a metro). You look like twins.
I’m lovin’ your blog!!
Khush rahein. Charanpreet
Ms. Shaheen, I’m happy to find your blogzine.
May I please pay my compliments by saying you are a charming woman (lovely eyes)and your blog is really really superb! I like your style of writing.
I hope you continue to inspire your readers.
Thanks, Sudhir
Having read this I believed it was rather informative. I appreciate your great effort to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading your blog and posting comment for you. But so what, it was still worth it!
Shaheen, it was a pleasure to meet you at Syrah’s photo exhibition reception. Everyone enjoyed talking to you, a smart and pretty girl…..shoma kheyli mehrban hastid.
I’ve been reading your blog for almost 2 hours now…..each post has so much depth and purpose, creativity, emotions and intelligence……man gom shodam!
Your blog….vaghea’an azash khosham miad.
Az molaghat e sham khosh vahgtam, doshizeh Shaheen!
H.A.
Your words are as awsome as you are! keep it up hun xoxo
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!
A very intelligent, poetic and musical blog. Your poetry is humane and leaves a feeling to return. Being a musician (I play flute), I am happy to see your collection. You are a beautiful woman Ms. Shaheen with sensitivity & creativity. May you continue your success and i will visit again.
Thank you very much,
Rakesh C.
Thank you all for visiting and leaving your imprints on my blog.
@ Somi: my dearest one, I am humbled, though hardly deserve an award for penning my thoughts – so much I (still) need to do, however, you spoil me, methinks! Thank you for relishing Blood-Ink Diary. I have (yet) to figure out the procedures for the awards. I cannot only keep collecting and not sharing. lol.
@Lauren: my loyal reader (friend is better), thank you for your kindness and visiting the blog to nominate Blood Ink. Cheers,to Lauren!
@Sherry R: I am grateful that you have enjoyed going through my sphere. An intelligent woman like you is a paradigm for many of us. We shall keep in touch.
@Harish, Sorinf, heeruthe, Marciento, 7thHeaven — thank you very much.
@SB: thanks!
Cheers all. ssd
Shaheen meri jaan every post of yours has so many comments that its hard to choose a post where i can post comment without scrolling for infinity
Listen I have nominated you for Beautiful Blogger and Very Inspiring Blogger Award
If you choose to accept the awards please click the link to know more.
have a great day
http://somkritya.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/beautiful-blog-and-very-inspiring-blog-award/
Hi Shaheen,
I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award and Sunshine Award. If you choose to accept, please visit my blog for more information: http://lscotthoughts.com/2012/03/12/very-inspiring-blogger-sunshine-award.
Lauren xx
Dear Shaheen, I have gone through your blog and it is very intelligent. Wish we had met when you were last in Pakistan, inshaa Allah, we will keep in touch. I admire art, film and as you know about my passion for journalism. Continue doing what is best for you and many wishes for your passion in development.
Surely a fantastic young woman you are, truly a delight to have been introduced my our mutual friend. Your poetry is beautiful, very skilled.
With best wishes,
Sherry R
Wonderful blog and personality….
Amazing content & creative blog. Good I found it.
Best.
Thank You for liking my posts on SAR-E-RAAH well means a lot to me coming from a HIGHLY TALENTED PERSON like YOU !
Hello! Have a beautiful weekend!
So proud of you.
wow. theatre art. soo exciting!
I am always humbled by your thoughts — please know that your kindness is much appreciated.
@Ronnie: lovely of you to find my blog and for a warm comment. Congrats on becoming poetry editor ! Would love to read the magazine — keep in touch!
@Charanpreet Singh: Sahir Ludhianvi is one of my favourite poets – in fact you should read his poem: “Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Main” – the original Urdu poem, it is quite lovely. Thank you for following Blood Ink.
@Sabrinah: Yes, I have noticed that you are enjoying the blog! Thank you, dear one! All in the family cousin!
@Idranil: Wonderful you landed on my blog! Thanks.
@Subhan: Thank you for your generous thoughts about my poetry – I am humbled.
@Nawaaz: hmmm…were you listening to “Aafreen Aaafreen” by Nusrat? lol. Thanks for visiting the blog!
Cheers all,
ssd
wonderful writing,
Me Akhtar, met two years before in Shigar fort (Skardu)
Such wonderful writing, such sublime comments from your devoted readers. I am happy to have found your blog and look forward to following it.
I have just been nominated poetry editor of a literary magazine that my group, Women Who Write, publishes once a year. I wish we had poets as talented as you are!
Ronnie
What a fantabulous blog you have. I was searching for Sahir Ludhainvi’s work and it sited to your blog.
An interesting hour spent going through your blog, great topics and I love the Progressive Writers post! I am following now. Thank you Shaheen ji.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh !
Regards,
Charanpreet Singh
Tag you’re it!!
http://arjun1097.wordpress.com/2012/02/25/tag-youre-it/
Shaheen woow what can I say? today was the first time I have visited your blog, and I am so proud to see all your work. Such Inspirational and exceptional work amazing. you truly have a Gift from Allah. I also would like to shadow the opinion you TRULY should get and award for such great work.
Love You Sis,
Sabrina
A powerful blog to have come across. Superb blog name and very enjoyable topics here. Intense and passionate blog.
Success to you!
Hi Shaheen,
Of course you deserve an award! You’re inspirational! And your poems are wonderful.. I can’t seen any reasons why you’re not having one..
Looking forward to reading your posts!
Regards,
Subhan Zein
Husn E Jana Ki Tareef Mumkin Nahi
Nargisi Nargisi, Surmayi Surmayi !!!
A very inspiring blog. I’ve bookmarked Shaheen Sultan.
Very kind of you to leave your imprints on my blog.
@Subhan: thank you for nominating my blog. Dear one, I shy away from awards as I feel my work has a long way to go, but, I am grateful that you relish Blood Ink Diary.
@Vidya: thank you, my precious friend. (have added your work on the blog!).
@Jade: you are equally if not more quite an impressionable talent!
@Moses: compelling, hunh? than do continue visiting! Thanks.
@H.Afkhami: Thanks for visiting! Ah, yes, there is no contact link. My reflections and be discovered here as fragments of my life.
@Cromswellhead: So glad you are relishing my diary! Thanks.
@Soha Khan: Wonderful that ‘Chughtai’ crossed your path to my blog. I have read your comments on my blog, thank you for connecting, enjoying and sharing your thoughts.
Cheers to all, with gratitude
ssd
Hi,
I think your blog is great!
I have nominated you for the Versatile Blog Awards. Please accept it here:
http://subhanzein.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/awards-galore/
Have a great day!
Warm regards,
Subhan Zein
Shaheen dear, you write beautifully. Wow!! This is, like in all your work, beautiful. Keep writing. Love, Vidya
“my strong nerves and veins keep the blood ink from running dry and holds ever steadfast against the repeated stabbings of my pen ”
Salute to you for a unique, intelligent and very enjoyable blog.
Compelling!!
Your blog is interesting and intelligent. It would be nice to read more about you…Where to contact you? Maybe I’ve missed a contact link on your blog? I will come back to continue reading more.
Question…where do you live? You’ve not mentioned much about your life in this blog, your readers would be happy to read more about you.
I like your poetry, music and film list.
H.Afkhami
What a fascinating place, you interest me greatly Madam. Like a young boy exploring, i look forward to haunting your blog!
Peace
Hi Shaheen, you’ve got a terrific blog. I was checking for Ismat Chughtai oof her books and saw found this blog. I like your spirit and topics. Soha Khan
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts, am humbled.
Am speechless after reading some of the stuff that you have written. Beautiful yet disturbing, your writing will have me coming back for more.
Bonjour Shaheen, j’aime vraiment votre blog. Très heureux de kow vous êtes en provenance d’Afrique et socialiste.
Vive l’Afrique!
I discovered your blog today from Rafi Mia’s. And I am still on it and to the extent I have seen, I am only amazed at the level of and at the range of topics you engage in, so superbly. Shaheen, I have a an inkling you are from Tanzania, then read my article, Hakuna Matata. Shakil
Wholesome and enriching blog, I enjoyed going through the “Salle de Cinema” and the the wonderful thoughts of your mind. You’re looking more radiant as you age!! hahah. Lovely picture Shah! Will visit again.
SSD, you disappeared from Boloji and no response on email, just saw your blog name on museum art site, what a surpise! I must say, your blog is very enjoyable and full of wonderful contribution to go through. Happy to see you (at least through here! Email back will you in this lifetime? hehe). I think I need few days here to go through your blog. Love Ay
Excellent work Shaheen. Been reading you for weeks….
Ami tomake bhalobashi. Aapnar sathe dekha kore bhalo laglo. (Bengali).
K. Sengupta
Ms.Shaheen, you have created a versatile blog, it is has energy and a happy effect.
Continue writing. Blessings for your aspirations.
Aliker
Alumni of University of San Diego 2010
Intriguing blog with very lovely poems by you Shaheen!
creative and informative blog, thrilled I discovered it , Shaheen
a rare find, complicated and committed, glad you’re writing
namaste
basically scientist , engineer brings the time being change in technology for mankind and social activist , reformer , poet , art , gives eternal change and calmness to human being.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, much appreciated!
@ Connie, thank you for finding my blog – and nominating it, though the biggest award would be in eradicating poverty, child-bride, oppression, war and injustice, I shall keep endeavouring.
@ Capt.Shehryar: bohut shukria janaab (oops..I mean Capt !) for a generous comment and desire to translate my poetry — however, I do not fancy to send for Urdu translation as my two-pence of thoughts can be found on this platform. Am most humbled by the fact that you relished my work. Nawazish.
@ Andy1076: It took some time, but, things are moving in the right direction. Thank you for your wishes.
@Ron: this message came now, though you have been leaving messages on the posts — great to see it again! V. Naipaul in my view is not the best to read on stories relating to Africa, if I may recommend M.G.Vassanji – he is an outstanding author and I dream of writing the way he does!!
D.P.Paudyal: Wonderful to hear from you. Yes, of course you can share your ideas on development.
@ Vikram, Neeraj, Jakespainter: thank you for connecting !
Cheers, Shaheen
Congratulations on your recent nomination for the Hope Unites Globally Award. To accept the award, please visit and follow the Award Guidelines at http://ahopefortoday.com/2012/01/14/hope-unites-globally-hug-award-guidelines/. May you be blessed as you continue the positive work you do for the good of all humanity.
Blessings, Connie
Hi Shaheen! best of luck on your future goals on pursuing the film industry!
I happened to come by your blog having been drawn to it by the blog name and just the titles to your posts got me interested.
I am pretty ignorant of Indians living in Africa and I have always imagined it to be a strange yet fitting paradox for some reason. I have merely heard and read of this connection that has existed for centuries in books like that of V. Naipaul’s.
I can’t claim to have read all of the posts yet, but when I do, I will post up my feelings as well.
And, as a fellow artist desperate to show my world through a bit of cinema as well… I wish you the best in getting there…
Keep Writing!
Ron M
Ms. Shaheen Sultan Dhanji, I have had pleasure to come across your site and it is very interesting and knowledgeable. You express well in your writings and I enjoyed reading about development. In fact I am working for Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction and would like to discuss public sector ideas with you. Please contact me via my email which you would already have now. Thank you very much. Keep up the inspiring energy.
D.P. Paudyal,
Nepal
Shaheen saahiba, aap se ik iltemaas hai ki aap ki kuchh chuninda shaairee ko mere email ID per bhej deejiye. Main isay Urdu main translate kar doonga taki Pakistan aur mere state ke log aap ko padh sakein….Shukriya.
Capt.Shehryar
Pak Air Force
Respected Shaheen saahiba,
Main nay aaj pehli martaba apka blog para aur isay buhut acha paya. Aap ki shaairee aur aap ko dekh kar ehsaas hota hai k husn aur aqal ka kitna haseen imtizaaj hai. Aap ki shaairee mein buhut hi nayapan mehsuus hua. Mubarakbad qubul karein.
Aap k blog par contact ka option nahi hai……ye hona chahiye.
Shukriya,
Capt. Shehryar
Pak Air Force
Shaheen, It’s up to us to preserve the classical music and I see that your blog is strongly about keeping true to creative masters of time in music, writing, film, etc. A well balanced blog with wonderful readings, creativity and knowledge. Vikram
yeah. some good thoughts and mind i could find here. keep writing and sharing. cheers!
Very interesting blog..
You are very talented a great writer
“to discover the ‘humaness’ in a human being”
Inspiring diary.
Thanks for leaving your thoughts on my blog! Am humbled.
@ Varsha: am glad my blog served your purpose in acquiring info you needed. Best of luck with your paper. Ah, yes, The Scent of Green Papaya is a great choice. Thanks for visiting!
@ Chris: so lovely to hear from you again — hope your film is coming along well! Be in touch!
@ Nicholas, Neo-Noir & tiganusionutz: thank you!
@ Al-Abdi Gamal: Very humbled by your thoughts. I shall try to maintain the blog, though it might be a bit difficult as I shall be travelling, hence, the posts may not be as frequent. Loads of thanks for taking time to read my article on World Pulse and here. Blessings to you as well.
@ Soma: thank you for enjoying Blood Ink Diary and my two-pence of writing, though, I hardly deserve such nominations as your generous heart feels! Thanks, Somi !
@ Proud Pakistani: Being (proudly!) born and raised in Africa, it would be quite nonsensical to claim myself a Pakistani, no? Obviously, you have mistaken me for another as I have no affilliation or ownership of any NGO in Pakistan. But, I thank you for visiting!
@ Anwar Khurshid: of course, we shall meet and play the sitar – you are such a truly wonderful sitarist, needless to say! Keep playing…Toronto adores your music! I have added your work in my post titled ‘ Canadian South Asian Artists” — http://bloodinkdiary.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/canadian-south-asians-artists-by-shaheen-sultan-dhanji/
@ Rozineh: I don’t know about versatile or intelligent, I just write what the heart feels and what the eyes see. It is your generosity that reveals I am ‘gifted’ – thank you, glad you are following, how about saying ‘travelling’ with me, instead of ‘following’ – gosh, I am not at all a leader !!
Cheers to all
Shaheen
Was looking on web for listing of foreign films to research for a paper, what a treat to find an exclusive list on your site. I love your film and book section, well read you are, and the films you recommend are already reeling in my head to watch, starting with ‘The Scent of Green Papaya”. By the way, where do you live? Thanks a ton. (you would have my email as I had to input to state my comment, pls get in touch).
Varsha
Great blend of your world in this blog, Shaheen, so enriching and a dynamic writer you surely are. Wonderful to know you through PCDN and your intelligent and creative contribution.
Chris
“where I continue to treasure and probe the ‘spinal chord’ of the world, of our lives, our consciousness — transfiguring blood into ink. ”
I like your thinking….your blog says it all in different topics I see here. Hope you continue to write your thoughts. Nicholas
Shaheen, it is admirable that you are diversified in content on your blog. I first discovered you on WorldPulse when you were chosen as contributor of the week and I read your piece on Africa and Passivity, on that page I saw this blog link and I am so pleased to know of you and your writings regrading topics of my own interest. A young beautiful inspiring woman Shaheen. Blessings of the Almighty to you.
From, Al Abdi.Gamal
Cairo, Egypt
Hi Shaheen, listen I have nominated you for Genuine Blogger Award. Please follow the link to know more http://somkritya.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/genuine-blogger-award-2/
Hypocrite. A nice bog you’ve made for yourself all great about humanity. I read some place about your ngo in Pakistan, what did you do about your country it or you just enjoy writing poems about Pakistan? You call yourself Pakistani? I know you wouldnt publish my comment.
Hello Shaheen, I’m so blessed to know you as my friend. Your blog is very intelligent and interesting, like you are. Hope we can collaborate musically. Please do come by and we shall play some raagas on sitar. I love your blog! I love all your poems. Best regards in Toronto, Anwar K.
“to discover the humaness in a human being”, very nice and I like your blog.
Hello Shaheen Sultan Dhanji, just saw your profile and blog on LinkedIn. Wow, what a versatile, gifted and intelligent woman you are, your blogzine is really amazing. I love your poems, very touching. I am now following you!!!
Awesome diary with selection of books and short documentary films.
Thank you very much for leaving your imprints on my blog.
@ Capricioussoul and Soma: Thank you very much for nominating ‘One Lovely Blog Award” to my work. Having you as part of my journey is meaningful. Congrats to both of you as well! Cheers, Shaheen
@ Sadaf: thanks, yes, it is sun-light on my face! Lol. Glad you are (still) enjoying the blog, I think you were one of the first persons who commented at the inception of the blog in October 2011. Thanks for visting always.
@ Persiancloset: Thanks for your generous comment. I am not from India, and you guessed correct, I have Iranian roots, but, I hail from Africa. Thanks for visiting!
@ frizztext: What a great musical treat, dear friend. Wonderful, indeed. Love the guitar colour — almost makes me want to paint my acoustic to red! Thank a lot.
@ Arjun Sharma: Your poetry is very enriching. Thanks for visiting too.
@ Khalid, Somo, Frizztext — thank you for appreciating my blog.
@ Mark: indeed, it is funny! Thanks for appearing on my blog – visit again.
I am truly humbled by your appreciation for me — thank you all.
Cheers, SSD
Hi ! Shaeen I have nominated you to One Lovely Blog Award, please click the link to know more-http://amaltaas.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/onelovelyblogaward2011.png.
Hey Shaheen! I like the shadow and light on your face in the photograph of your introduction, is it sunlight? I’m enjoying your blog very much. Sadaf
Salam!
At first I thought you were Iranian, as Shaheen is a Persian name, but I see that you’re from India.
Either way your way of writing is VERY refined, polished, and exquisite. I admire your style of writing and the way that you carry yourself in it.
Keep it up, I’m sure your followers crave more!
hermosa niña, tu blog es realmente maravilloso……
me, playing GEORGIA ON MY MIND for you ….
Very refreshing, creative and stimulating website.
hey Shaheen, It’s wonderful to come across you and your writings, i must say that is an impressive write up about urself. Thanks for reading my poems too. im following ur blog. keep writing
cheers.
cool name blood ink….i like ur blog, it’s cool yeah.
It’s funny because I was looking for vampire art and I yahoo searched under blood vampire art, I found your blog and forgot to return to my search on vampire because your blog is so interesting. Great poems and music selection………Mark
nice to see you – and that you play acoustic guitar too …
Didi, awesome awesome blogzine. You’ve put your heart into it and keep making us proud of you!
A wonderful blog!!
Thank you very much for your generous comments and for visiting!
@ the musical mind of mike: thanks! Am looking forward to attending one of your music gigs in Toronto! And, thanks for coping for ‘Georgia On My Mind’ !!
@ Lisa: thanks! Leopardini it is!
To all my readers & well wishers:
“If I have companions like these
then the purpose of travelling is great!
If the night is so bright
how much brighter the dawn!”
(passage from a poem, ‘One Year’, by Socialist poet Ali Sardar J’afri. Penned in April 1950, from Central Jail, Nasik, India – he was sentenced for penning anti-war poetry)
Thank you all for visiting Blood Ink Diary. Cheers, SSD
Shaheen, what a treasure you have on your blog! “Dilettante”? Not at all, you are truly skilled and have immense talent. I love your poetry and the dedication you put into all your writings. I am so blessed to have you in my life!
“to discover the ‘humaness’ in a human being”, this is inspiring.
Keep writing, keep staying authentic to your ideals and passion. Love you, Ozzie
Excellent blog! I especially love the paintings
Winsome blog. Thank you for posting your best film & director recommendation, I haven’t seen some films, sure will do now. Happy New Year Blood Ink Diary!
Evocative & interesting subjects on this site.
Cool subjects. Supernice to have found this!!!
Really superb mix of subjects , I can see you are talented with powerful expression.
Ms. Shaheen, I like what you say, it is honest and I feel same about human beings. It is nice diary. Blessing of God be with you.
Diversified and intellectual blogzine. Glad to come across it….
So proud of you, you are a true leopardini. Congrats for Time Magazine, just saw it today! XX
Brilliant blog. Your work is passionate and engaging….
“I am only a corpus of experiences, mistakes and aspirations “, I really like your statement! It’s humble. Great blog!!
Your poetry is really deep and stays on the mind. Awesome blog.
Inspiring work Blood Ink. Very interesting topics!
Hi Shaheen, I am so impressed and touched by your blog. keep it up
love you – khala.
Really fantastic blog!
@ Jacob, lol ! One eye you see, the other I see! Thanks for the compliment.
@ Farooq, thank you!
@ Tabish, am glad you are enjoying my blog.
@ Sameen, I say “unfinished journal” for one never can complete one’s quest for learning — it takes a whole lifetime, hence, “unfinished journal”.
@ Rakesh — am touched that you relished my poems to leave a heartfelt comment.
Thank you for visiting – your comments are dear to me.
Enjoyable blog. You seem to have expressive eyes though I only see one here
Great topics!
Shaheen, am so proud of you. Really happy to see this blog full of what you are really about, your poems are very touching.
“In distant lands, on dark lanes, in alien cities, on nameless streets” (Faiz Ahmad Faiz) there is Shaheen who matters. Keep up. Farooq
Awesome blog! Enriching and wholesome. What a talent you are!
Hey Blood Ink, I’m pleased to come across your blog. It’s unique name, though how come it means unfinished journal?? Nice photo blood ink!!
your diary is superb, i read your many poems and it swallowed me whole in feelings and squalor of life. i see you really like freedom fighters of time and age, any thought on including subhash chandra bose in archive?
you’re gifted on ink……light, rakesh
Shaheen Sultan: Les Sujets de votre blog est magnifique et je souhaite le meilleur que vous souhaits chaleureux Paris. Plaisir de vous connaître.
@ Eliyan — unfortunately, I cannot recall you, however, thank you for a nice comment and visiting the blog.
@ Zarina – my dear, you are an excellent writer yourself! (I suppose my love for literature comes from the maternal genes, as having an aunt like you does magic!).
@ Pooja — thank you for liking my poems and for visiting the blog!
@ Sadaf — yes, I have read ‘Brothers of Karamazov’, my favourite line in that book:
“…the brave go where they please” — in contrast to: Doleo, ergo sum.
Good wishes. to a charming woman. I really loved your presentation this evening, Shaheen. It was interactive and very knowledgable. Good wishes and I will keep visiting your site which I found after in search of your name. (Hope you remember me, I was at the back in blue suit). Eliyan
Have enjoyed reading your blog tremendously, and wish you well. Will keep checking from time to time. Your contributions are as interesting as some of the comments!!!
The best from me. Zarina
it’s a very interesting blog and name. found it through worldpulse and your poems are lovely, i like them. i’ve also subscribed to email notification when you post, thanks ms.shaheen
Shaheen! Dostoevsky is the father of Russian literature and I’m a huge fan of his book ‘Brothers of Karamazov’!!! If you’ve not read it yet I will give it to you.
Thanks for introducing Mastar Madan, just saw it right now. I agree about human finding the human being, keep posting its engaging to know what your thoughts are each time. Sadaf
@ David Robert Mullen: thank you for your kind comment, especially coming from such a genius photographer like yourself. Thanks for adding my link, as I have also done the same on my blogroll.
@ Pratap Kumar: it is difficult to pick a favourite author, as there are so many! However, if I were to settle with one, it would be the Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky, his work finds what is authentic by experience and contra as was the case in Crime and Punishment, The Idiot and in Notes from Underground. Also Dostoevsky’s work has a subtle expression of socialism – a pre-marxian voice.
Question to Indian Classical music – Ustad Abdul Haleem Jaffer Khan and Annapurna Devi, both sitarists. As for vocalist, there was a 14 yr old from Jalandhar who sung most beautiful ghazals (he died at 14), Master Madan.
Thank you all – am humbled. Cheers, SSD
Thanks Shaheen for responding to my question, your impressions brightened my day. I enjoy your posts. Thanks again. Pratap Kumar
A site to revisit. Many of the books and msuic you’ve recommended are my personal choice too…….who is your one fav indian classical musician and why?
Too good. Pratap Kumar
marvillosa y llena de articulos increibles. el jazz cubano es increibles, gracias shaheeen.
Interesting blog name and treat of great topics. Thank you for making it enjoyable to see your blog.
Shaheen! Your blog is as beautiful as you are, what a melting smile!
It’s a SUPER blog, keep posting. Sadaf
Shaheen Sultan Dhanji
What a beautiful blog you have created. Thank you for sharing authors, artist musicians and films/documentaries. I have read, seen and
listened to many of the artists and authors you have shared and now
have a chance to explore more. I wish that the rest of the world would
catch that insatiable thirst for knowledge, creativity, wonder in
others and life in this momentary physical journey.
You have that beauty and thank you for sharing. May I add a link to your
blog on my website?
Kind Regards
David Robert Mullen
couldn’t it be:
“it waits expectantly
For the repeated caresses
Of our pens”
just a thought. pathetic fallacy both the cases.
I just discovered your site. It’s wonderful. I found your comment on the Worldmusic blog. Excellent work.
Nice blog, and thanks for your nice comment
Great work Dhanji… you are the best …Sree
Keep up the good work
Always good read and thought from you …good luck on the film documentary ….AF
thanks for reading and liking my story. please consider subscribing to http://www.thehistoryofthings.com. I update regularly.
thanks,
gabe
WOW! just looked your website. It looks awesome…
Lot of stunning creative stuff
pervaiz