Welcome to Mulazine

B.H.I – An Interview with Badrul Hisham Ismail

"When people who have interesting ideas, want to do interesting things and for some reason are open to me helping or collaborating with them I just say yes,"

Editor's Letter

Hi Mula Friends,

In the quiet whispers of dawn, as the world gently awakens, there lies the magic of beginnings. It is in this liminal space, where the first rays of the sun promise new stories and fresh starts, that the essence of Mula was born. Named deliberately and thoughtfully, ‘Mula’ is not just a title; it is a symbol of perpetual inception, a conversation starter, a beacon for friendship, and an endless source of exploration.

Mula has always been a start. This foundational ethos, embedded in our very name, serves as a guiding star for everything we create and share. In the vast expanse of human experience, where each moment is a crossroad of countless possibilities, Mula stands as a testament to beginnings — be it in thought, dialogue, or camaraderie.

You see, Mula is not confined by the traditional boundaries of monthly issues or thematic constraints. Instead, it thrives in a continuous cycle of exploration, a relentless pursuit of the new, the undiscovered, the unspoken. Each page you turn, each story you encounter, is a fresh start, a new journey, a unique conversation.

We believe that life, in all its complexity and beauty, cannot be distilled into a singular theme or a fleeting moment. The essence of Mula is fluid, evolving with the rhythms of our collective experiences, adapting to the ever-changing tapestry of human emotions and ideas. Our commitment to this exploration is unwavering, for we understand that every end is merely a prelude to another beginning. In the conversations sparked by our articles, in the friendships forged through shared stories, in the myriad paths we embark upon together, Mula is there — an eternal starter, a catalyst for connection and discovery.

As you enter this edition, I invite you to embrace the spirit of Mula. Let it be a gateway to new horizons, a companion in your journey of exploration, and a reminder that every ending is, in truth, an opportunity for a new start. Thank you for being a part of this continuous cycle, for every word you read, every emotion you feel, and every thought you share, adds to the mosaic of Mula. Together, let’s celebrate the beauty of beginnings, the joy of exploration, and the endless possibilities that lie in every ‘start’.

Love ya! xo

Alia & Team Mula

Grey is Okay

"What you choose is what will also choose you, in time.". This is one of a string of crystaline words penned down in her moment of quiet in 2018. Creative Director, Artist, Writer, Photographer & Poet, Binti points us into a direction of understanding where Grey, Is Okay.

Asian Fashion Archive – An Approach to Identity, Culture & Fashion With Faith Cooper

At its heart is Faith Cooper, whose work with the Asian Fashion Archive (AFA) goes beyond preservation to delve into identity, culture, and personal stories. The narrative presented on the platform skillfully interlaces the archivist’s professional endeavors alongside her journey while underlining the supporting pillar behind it – her mother.

In Conversation with Portals of Longing
I ask Salem if his mother has seen the artwork – “Actually I didn’t show her the artwork because if she sees it she will cry much more,” he replies.
In Arts, ConversationsBy Anisha Khemlani
In the Light of Now by Wan Adam
Penned down in the aughts of the pandemic, contributor Wan Adam unclogs a stream of conciousness in the wake of loss, isolation and finding a means to make sense of things in the absence of self.
In Conversations, Op-EdBy Contributor
Protecting the Flame
Writer Julia Merican Unleashes a Stream of Conciousness, Reflecting on Her Childhood & What It Means to Find Comfort in Tradition & Family
In Conversations, Op-EdBy Julia Merican