Jugaar: A Pakistani Guide to Aspirational Living

Matthieu Paley

Publisher
Fraglich Publishing / Folio Books Lahore
Year
2026
Specifications
Hard cover
16 x 22 cm
264 pages
Text in English and Urdu
Edition of 500
Produced in Karachi
Texts by Lukas Birk and Zarmeene Shah

Jugaar explores Pakistan's vivid tradition of aspirational montage work, made in makeshift studios at religious festivals and fun fairs. Using collaged backdrops of film posters, luxury interiors, vehicles, weapons, flowers and religious symbols, the studio operators transform their clients into heroes, lovers, migrants and pilgrims.

Based on material collected by Matthieu Paley, with texts by Lukas Birk and Zarmeene Shah, the book offers a rare view of a practice that is disappearing. The project began in Sehwan Sharif, in Sindh, during a pilgrimage where temporary studios appear alongside the shrine.

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