“Raza Rumi represents the intellect that defies identity and its lethal politics in the company of a few great classical minds that Pakistan is straining to forget. The mystic best represents his kind of political analyst: honest and non-partisan and therefore the target of the obscurantist. Being Pakistani enables us to understand cultural anxieties in a non-challenging, persuasive manner.”

Khaled Ahmed, Consulting editor, Newsweek Pakistan; Columnist

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How different is Pakistan’s culture from that of India? Exploring various aspects of the arts, literature and heritage of Pakistan, Raza Rumi argues that culture in Pakistan is not particularly unique to the nation, but rather a part of the cultural identities shared by South Asians. From the songs of Kabir and the ballads of Bulleh Shah to the cult of the feminine in the Sindh region, Rumi takes a kaleidoscopic view of the deep-set cultural mores that tie India and Pakistan together. Going further, he examines aspects of the visual arts, poetry, music and literature of Pakistan that impact global cultural narratives. Finally, he introduces readers to contemporary Pakistani writers and artists and the milieu in which they express their creativity, giving us a fascinating glimpse into cultural productions in Pakistan today. Being Pakistani is a riveting account of artistic traditions and their significance in present-day Pakistan, presenting an alternative view of the country, beyond the usual headlines that focus on political instability and terrorism.

Raza Ahmad Rumi is a writer, public policy specialist, editor and instructor. Currently, he is a Distinguished Lecturer at City University of New York and a faculty member at Brooks School of Public Policy, Cornell University. During 2015-2023, he served as the Director at Park Center for Independent Media, Ithaca College where he also taught in Journalism and Writing Departments. He is also the editor of The Friday Times, NayaDaur Media and New Wave History. Raza has been a broadcaster on TV and prior to his media work, he was a staff member of Asian Development Bank, officer of Administrative Service of the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations.