Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that art can play an effective role in promotion of peace and artists of South Asia by putting their energies together could make the region a centre of peace. South Asian countries have a lot of potential in the field of art and this could be further enhanced and promoted if they work together, he added.
"I know this is a difficult task, but I am sure that we can do it by working together," he said, while addressing a function in connection with the exhibition, "Old Masters Young Voices: South Asian Masters" at Alhamra Art Council here on Thursday.
Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, Punjab Governor Lieutenant General Khalid Maqbool (Retd) also accompanied him.
Art has no border, no language and is a unique medium for expression of joy, happiness and misery, the prime minister said.
Lahore where this historic event is being held had always been famous for its rich cultural heritage and been a centre of art, offering the lovers of art a wide and unique variety of works of genius.
In its buildings one can see unique touches of Mughal, Roman, Islamic and Gothic architectural art. "By this event we have brought together the great and genius artists of South Asian region which is a commendable effort on part of the chief minister's task on Lahore. This event is also an experience of working together, Shaukat said.
"Our dream is to make Lahore a centre of performing arts and if we all put our energies together we can make this dream come true," the prime minister said.
He said that during his second leg of visit to South Asia, he also witnessed some events of this kind, especially during his stay in India. In New Delhi, he also exchanged music CDs with former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. "I gave him six CDs of Pakistani ghazals, while Vajpayee gave me two CDs of his own poetry sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Jagjeet Singh. "So we can say that music diplomacy has also started working for promotion of peace between both the neighbouring countries," the prime minister said.
Paying tributes to the artists whose paintings have been showcased in the exhibition, he made special mention about Indian artist F.M. Hussein and Guljee of Pakistan.
He said for the first time he met F.M. Hussain in London when he was associated with a financial institution there. "Likewise, my first meeting with Guljee took place long ago in Karachi when I was working with the same financial institution there." F.M. Hussain, Guljee, Shahid Sajjad and Vikram Shah are legends in arts and are great assets for South Asian region. "The biggest asset we have, in my view, is our human capital in the shape of such legendary artists, the premier said.
Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi said that Lahore had always been famous for patronising arts and is considered to be a rich cultural city where great masters like Allah Baksh and Chughtai grew. This event, first of its kind in the history of Pakistan, has provided an opportunity to the artists of South Asia to interact with the people and art lovers.
Apart from promoting peace, this event will also speed up the process of peace in the region, he added. The government believes in promotion of arts and such an initiative for this purpose has never been taken in the past, the chief minister said.
Later, the prime minister along with the chief minister, governor and artists took round of the exhibition hall and appreciated the works showcased there.
Artists from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh have put up their works on display at the exhibition. The event will continue till December 5.
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