Lahoris love to eat. Mall 1 and MM Alam Road are jampacked at all times of the day. Whether it’s a group of friends catching up or a family outing on a Sunday afternoon, you see them heading off to a restaurant for a day out. However, I wonder if it is out of mere love for food or a lack of recreational activities for them to indulge in?

The question popped in Irteza Rehman’s head, not too long ago. A Lahore-based creative director in a private advertising agency, she thought up with a safe space for like-minded people to come together and spend quality time together where they not only learn a new skill but also socialise and build friendships that go beyond the class. The result was a studio space in Phase V, DHA, and goes by the name Mashghalay.

Presently, Mashghalay offers three-hour clay and woodwork workshops on the weekends. Their instructors are authentic craftsmen who love to teach. They began in July this year and have had three sessions so far, to great response from their clients, who include model cum actress Eman Suleiman and her husband, a fitness trainer, Jamil Rizvi.

“Both Jamil and I had an absolutely great time at [Mashghalay’s] woodwork class,” says Suleiman. “We learnt a lot and also managed to make tables in a short time. The instructors were very helpful, and supportive, and the space felt very safe. It was also very well equipped.”

At Mashghalay, all Covid-19 SOPs are keenly observed. It’s a space of about 1,000 sq ft. Every class has roughly 12 students. Mostly, those who have been vaccinated are encouraged to take the classes. There are temperature checks at the door, and people keep their masks on throughout their time indoors.

It was performed in an open-air venue, before a select audience that had been instructed to comply with Covid-19 social-distancing guidelines. At the same time, a live stream had been set up for viewers who wanted to enjoy the performance from the comfort of their homes.

A unique aspect of the place is their take on sustainability. The basic skills that they teach can be utilised by an average person who has, for instance, leftover pieces of wood lying around at home. With very little knowledge, they flip these things and make them reusable. They also reuse scrap material left from the workshops in the spirit of ensuring sustainable practices.

Mashghalay has big plans for the future. Rehman tells TNS, the place is likely to “become a collaborative space, a creative hub that offers workshops in art, block print and painting amongst other things.” He wants the place to be true to its namesake, and attract people of all ages, backgrounds and identities who can pick up productive hobbies.

“Such hobbies and activities make people feel better about themselves, even if the end result is far from perfect,” he adds.

According to Rehman, the best part about the woodwork classes is seeing how happy the people are during the creative process. He claims to have witnessed friendships blossoming and students guiding each other along the way.

Lahore really lacks such places, especially since the onset of Covid-19 forced the shutting down of cinemas, theatres, and most of the other entertainment venues. We really need such avenues that are both fun and productive.

The best way to contact Mashghalay is on Instagram. Early registration is recommended once the workshops are announced, as they have limited slots that fill up fast. Payments need to be made in advance either through Jazz Cash or direct online bank transfers.

The writer is a communications manager at a private company. She can be reached at saniyanasir3@gmail.com