A bleeding yet charming spring has been creeping into the environmental landscape of the capital these days, despite all the odds and constraints made of brutal chopping of trees, plants, bushes, herbs and weeds by the city bosses.
Except for a very few fortunate leftover green areas, the mass of the natural ecological charm of the city has been murdered in the name of developing a vast concrete jungle. Only the recently inaugurated much publicised but horribly incomplete and unfinished 9th Avenue has swollen to 2239 precious trees which included 858 of paper mulberry, 443 of sheesham, 68 of pine, 258 of eucalyptus as per the statement of the chairman CDA.
Though he claimed plantation of 6436 saplings on the dual side greenbelt still such rhetoric has lost the credibility as nothing is visible as the outcome of such claims made during the construction of 7th avenue and other so called developmental projects. A wildlife and green culture activist was much offended due to such bureaucratic moves.
He said to me: "It is indeed ironic that merely for the protection of a single person we have deprived the capital city of its original natural charm and beauty. Since the distant past this part of the Pothohar region was designated as the grass range for growing fodder for the livestock. By cutting down massive bushes and weeds we have dislocated numerous mammals, birds and insects like king cobra, porcupines, civits (wild cat), kaleej, cheer pheasant, wild boar and barking deer etc".
As it is mentioned above that despite all the man tailored anti environmental and anti ecology odds and constraints the melodious whisper of spring could yet be heard in the remaining patches of flora and fauna. The bare trees are studded with light green buds and leaves, a promising symbol of life and evolution.
There are over a hundred public parks in the twin cities of the capital but most of them are in shambles and dilapidated condition. So the pleasant signs of spring could also been seen there but in distorted mood coinciding with the state of maintenance of a park. Let us hope for a better environment to receive the next spring with the advent of democratic culture in the country.
Art work of crude realities: The Khaas Gallery has this time displayed an exhibition of paintings by Lahore-based painter cum teacher Atif Khan.
A National College of Arts graduate Atif Khan has come up with a set of thought provoking paintings with a distinction of content, style and presentation. It seems that the artist is bent to deviate himself from the in-fashion modes of artistic creativity. In most of his works he disowned the decorative elements of art and instead opted for certain harsh and crude symbols to portray what he feels.
He himself explains his perception of art, "Art represents sentiments and emotions of the artist. As a keen observer of the society what I see, I paint it in the mode of my own perception". It could be seen in the exhibits displayed there. A critical statement on the ongoing socio political environment in colors, lines and lights on the canvases. One could see a few exhibits from his series titled "reconstruction," "art story", "the moon and the darkness" and "construction".
"Oh, incredible, he is so crude in his artistic behaviour towards the socio political environment. Art and artist are not the politics and politicians. One expects some softness, some aesthetic and some soothing behavior out of them", a female art lover hailing from the upper class of the capital commented while standing in front of a painting projecting some artistic criticism on certain socio cultural taboos.
The canvas was filled with ants and flies in the backdrop of burning reds and yellows. The artist used such symbols to portray the filthy and dirty behavior of the society towards the life related issues. Should the art merely be an instrument of beauty and decoration or criticism too? It is a big query for artists and art lovers alike.
Nation awaits return of precious stolen heritage: Over a hundred precious artifacts of our rich cultural heritage recovered in Italy have not yet reached the country despite the lapse of almost two years. It is all what the government attaches the much publicised importance and patronage with regard to the preservation and protection of our distinctive treasure of rich cultural heritage.
The story begins with the International Antiques Fair 2005 in Italy. The experts from the National Museum of Oriental Art in Rome were first to notice that over a hundred artifacts from Pakistan reached there through dubious channels. It was further assessed that the stolen artifacts were most precious as these were hailing from Mahergarh, Balochistan and Indus Valley region.
Most of the recovered artifacts belong to the genre of pottery and ceramics dating back to 4000 B. C. to 2000 B.C. According to the experts the design and material used in the artifacts possess close similarity with those found in the Nal village in Central Balochistan. It is further learnt that the Italian authorities handed over all the discovered artifacts to the embassy of Pakistan in Rome. It is known that since then these have been lying there.
There are a few most important questions relating to this ordeal. How such a precious treasure was stolen and reached the antiques fair in Italy. Had some official inquiry been conducted to fix the responsibility of such shameful crime. And why such a precious treasure of high profile status has not yet been brought back to the country?
The bosses of department of archaeology are tight lipped. Some reliable sources, however, say that no inquiry took place in this regard. It has, however, come to the notice of this scribe that the department of archaeology has been facing financial constraints. Being a neglected organ of the government it does not possess any fund required for the safe return of logistics of such artifacts.
Alas, we were wise enough to address the financial constraints. Our precious heritage could be brought back through the newly bought $6,00,00,000 vvip airplane on its way from Washington via Italy to Islamabad.
"Images of the soul" by Samina Jamshed: An exhibition of 40 oil paintings titled "Images of the soul" by young artist Samina Jamshed was inaugurated on February 27 at La Galerie of Alliance Francaise. Eminent painter Raja Changez Sultan was the chief guest on the occasion.
Samina has created figurative images in oil on canvas and paper alike. She prefers thick and thin hues of bright colors with little shiny luster here and there. Most of her work is imbibed with the blend of mysticism and carry a soothing sign of spirituality.
About her perception of life and art Samina says, "Life is a precious treasure of the Almighty Creator and the soul and human figure are the integral components of it, so I always get motivation out of this unique aspect of life. I do study human psyche and try to make rapport with the soul to find the ultimate truth".
Having masters degrees in Fine Arts and Literature from the University of the Punjab, Samina Jamshed now teaches at Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi. About her work Raja Changez Sultan observed, Samina Jamshed is a true artist deeply associated with human feelings and sentiments. Her work is wonderful and exquisite making a bold statement of her own. The figures created by her are daring, refreshing and convey the true essence of the message she intends to carry through her creativity.
Matthieu Declercq, director of the Alliance Francaise, praised the exhibition as an exponent of soul through feminine perception. A foreign female art lover termed it as the true sensibility and creativity shown by a female artist of modern day Pakistan.