URBAN CULTURE AND INTELLECTUAL TRADITIONS: CONTRIBUTION OF KARACHI’S RESTAURANTS Riaz Ahmed Shaikh, PhD Head of Social Sciences SZABIST, Karachi

German Neo-Marxist Philosopher cum Sociologist Jurgen Habermas discussed the concept of “Public Sphere” in his work” “The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere- An inquiry into a category of Bourgeois Society.

The public sphere (German Offentlichkeit) which means: “An area in social life where individuals can come together to freely discuss and identity societal problems, and through that discussion influence political action”

“It is a discursive space in which individuals and groups congregates to discuss matters of mutual interest and, where possible to reach a common judgment”.

In Europe the discursive areas such as Britian’s Coffee houses, France’s Saloons and Germany’s Tischgesellschaften are its vivid example. In case of Egypt Najeeb Mahfooz in his novel Cairo has recorded his account of the city’s public sphere.

Karachi emerged as an important sea port during colonial period. Parsis, Persians, Hindus, Christians, Jews and other communities made it a cosmopolitan city in its true sense. A vibrant multicultural life emerged in the city during colonial days.

Western cultural impacts Karachi during that time in several dimensions including Architecture, Education, living style and culturally. Several areas had emerged as public sphere before partition and further change took place after 1947.

Karachi’s several café and restaurants truly emerged as “Public Sphere”. 1- Pauf Restaurant- Located at the crossing of M.A. Jinnah (then Bunder Road). 2- Café George- Saddar 3- Kwalti Restaurant- Saddar

4- Café Jehan- Regal Chowk 5- Central Coffee House- Near Jabees Hotel 6- Jangyan Hotel- In Chakiwara- Layari

7- Ari Hotel- Baghdadi- Layari 8- Sulaimani Hotel- Chakiwara- Layari 9- Piyala Hotel- Chakiwara- Layari 10- Elfi Restaurant- Near Zaibunnisa Street

11- Zaleen Coffee House- Regal Chowk 12- Café Paradise- Shahrah-e-Iraq 13- Café Al- Hasan- Near Board Office, Nazimabad, Bridge

These restaurants worked as Public sphere where political activists, literacy figures and students used to meet at these places. Those spaces emerged as the meeting points where discussions on philosophy, literature and students activities used to be held regularly. Several prominent students activists and political leaders started their careers from these restaurants.

Poets, short story writers, novelists and progressive TV and Radio performers were also frequent visitors of these places. Prominent journalists were also visible / regular visitors to these restaurants and cafes. A clear voice of dissent for democracy, people rights could be heard at these places.