Name Nadya A.R. | ||
KLF-2019: Beyond the Novel: Future Directions in Pakistani Writing (2.3.2019)
Nadya A.R. is a Pakistani author. She was born on 6 November 1971, in Lahore, Pakistan. Nadya is a life-long learner and educationalist. She is a dreamer and dreams of a more peaceful and tolerant world for everyone. Her greatest inspiration is her father, Dr Arshad Malik, and his compilations of beautiful Urdu poetry. Nadya’s dreams and vision are fuelled by her diverse reading and authors across the globe. She loves learning about art, history, different cultures and exploring the world. She is a meticulous researcher, and her favorite places are cafes and libraries-where she can spend hours jotting notes and organizing information. Nadya collects notebooks and actually writes her entire first draft in her unusual, carefully selected journals. Her desk is surrounded by wooden and porcelain animals, beautiful pens, colorful folders, scented candles and inspiring quotations-which motivate her to write regularly. Nadya loves nature, long walks, fresh air, plenty of sunshine-and the ability to wake up in the morning like a child-free to discover the joys and wonders of a new day
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Early life
Nadya A.R. was born on 6 November 1971, in Lahore, Pakistan. Her father, Dr. Arshad Malik, is a former federal secretary to the Government of Pakistan. He studied Public Administration at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford. Dr. Arshad Malik served the government for nearly thirty-five years, and held many senior positions and was the head of prestigious corporations. After retirement, he involved himself in education and community work and has also worked as a senior professor in management sciences. Dr. Arshad Malik is the author of three compilations of beautiful Urdu poetry, zard paton ki barsaat, umeedon ka safar and Andheron se aagay. Nadya’s mother, Razia Arshad Malik, is the youngest daughter of H.M. Habibullah Paracha, who was a dynamic businessman, politician, social worker, ambassador, and mayor of Karachi, Pakistan. Her younger sister, Mahnaz Malik, is an internationally renowned lawyer, and author of, Mo’s star, published by Oxford University Press. She completed her school years at St Joseph’s Convent, Karachi, Pakistan. Subsequently, Nadya attended Kinnaird College, Lahore, and then did her B.B.A. (Hons) from Institute of Business Administration, Karachi, in 1993. She published her first compilation of short stories, Broken Souls, in 1995. Nadya married, Abbas Rahimtoola, a prominent, international businessman. Abbas was educated at Westminster School, London, and Brown University, U.S.A, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and achieved a double major in Economics and International Relations.
Career
Nadya developed a keen interest in human behaviour and teaching children with learning difficulties. She completed her Read/Hornsby Teacher Training Diploma (UK) in teaching children with specific learning difficulties in 2003. After working as a specialist teacher and learning mentor, Nadya enrolled herself in a Masters in Inclusive and Special Education, at University of Birmingham, U.K. and obtained an overall distinction in her Post-Graduate Certificate-Social Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties-in 2005.
In 2006, Nadya published her first novel, Kolachi Dreams, by SAMA Publishing and Editorial Services <ref>KARACHI: Novel by young writer launched. She received critical acclaim for her novel in Pakistan, and the following commendations for her book.
‘Nadya tells a chilling story set in today's Pakistan with flair. She is a promising new writer and knows how to engage the reader in this suspenseful work.' Bapsi Sidwa
'Nadya's debut novel is a fresh new voice for Pakistani novels in English. No nostalgia here. It is the here and now. Gut wrenching reality. Kolachi Dreams is a gripping tale of crime and passion between orphans, dreamers, criminals, heroes, good, evil and star crossed lovers—all interchangeable.' Maniza Naqvi
‘Nadya writes with uncommon assurance for a debut novelist. Her guts-and-gore account of contemporary Pakistani society displays her sure-footedness on tough terrain. She knows her turf alright!!! Raw and searing, Nadya's first book is a fast and furious read...’ ShobhaaDe
Kolachi dreams has been included in the curriculum/course readings for an anthropology course on ‘Contemporary Pakistan’ in the University of Texas, at Austin, U.S.A.
Subsequently, Nadya finished a Certificate Course in Novel Writing from London School of Journalism, UK, in 2007-2008. Thereafter, she enrolled herself in the Summer Programme in Creative Writing, held at Exeter College, Oxford University, UK. She successfully completed two workshops- writing fiction and writing for young adults.
While working as a remedial teacher, Nadya achieved a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling- Therapy Works (A UK degree in counseling and therapy/ CPCAB-UK-2010). She has also worked as a voluntary worker/teacher and counselor to street children. Her husband relocated himself to Singapore, where she decided to do her Masters in Contemporary Therapeutic Counselling (BMC, Singapore/ University of Hertfordshire, UK- 2011-2013). Her dissertation explored the relevance of secure base and attachment theory, related to early childhood issues. She obtained a distinction in her Master's degree.
During this time, Nadya started working on her second novel, Invisible Ties, which is now being published by Rupa publications, in August 2017. She is a certified psychotherapist and conducts workshops and talks, in Pakistan and Singapore.