The Asian Study Group really deserves appreciation for organizing a wonderful event of par excellence, matching the dedicated research accomplishment by Naeem Tahir, a prolific writer, director, producer and researcher in his own right. The day was April 23 meant for a launch of his research work titled ' Melluhas -- of the Indus Valley' which consumed ten precious long years of his life at home and abroad.
The format of the ceremony was well-knitted with critical evaluation, exposure of relevant illustrations, maps and photographs, folk songs and dances reflecting the distant past of our cultural heritage. It added beauty to the intellectual vision, aesthetic and ecstasy emanating from the historical documentation of the world's most ancient civilization, nurtured in the historical Indus valley.
The critical appreciation by Dr. Ahmad Hasan Dani, the world-renowned archaeologist, anthropologist and a man of vision and wisdom and Professor Emeritus, Quaid e Azem University is worth to mention hereafter. It starts off 8000 years before now and covers up to 500 BC. Books hitherto written on this subject mostly uncover the city plans and highlight the architectural grandeur of our ancestors.
This study for the first time speaks about the people who were instrumental in building our great past. Full of engrossing illustrations, maps and little known facts about the ancient Indus people, this book is both valuable reference material and readable book of general interest for all those who take pride in their national heritage. The author has based his narrative on solid researches in archaeology, anthropology, prehistory and mythologies'.
Dr. Hauptmann, professor emeritus, University of Germany was full of appreciation for the land of our great country Pakistan, which has been the abode of world's most ancient civilizations like Moenjodaro, Mehargarh, Harppa and Gandhara. He appreciated the relentless endeavors with regard to the documentation of historical truths by the author Naeem Tahir.
Dr. Fazal Dad Kakar, director general, department of archaeology and museums also submitted his views and termed the research work as valuable in the field of archaeological research and beneficial for students, teachers and researchers alike.
Kishwer Naheed, eminent poetess, human rights activist and a renowned champion of women empowerment movement in the country evaluated the book through poetic verses she created especially for the occasion. The substance portrayed the grandeur of our cultural heritage and also the anguish of women folk traveling since time immemorial. It was, however, blended with a ray of courage, dedication, resolution and hope for days to come.
The author Naeem Tahir also narrated his version, which he termed as 'personal notes in his search for his roots'. His search and research has been accomplished in the form of the book titled ' Malluhas--of Indus Valley'. He also explained the story of the rise and fall of the land and its people, alongwith the mechanism of the historical evolution through a multimedia presentation. Akhtar Channal, a famous folk singer from Baluchistan enthralled the audience with folk songs in the ancient Burahvi language enjoying a continuity of 5000 years. It may be recalled that the singer is treated as the living legend of Burahvi oral tradition of folklore. Mahvish, an energetic and graceful art enthusiast presented a beautiful folk dance to the sublimation and ecstasy of the audience.
It was a wonderful occasion representing the real, soft image of Pakistan and its people, full of energy, creativity and modern sensibility. The historical documentation of Melluhas done by Naeem Tahir really deserves appreciation' commented a foreign diplomat while a senior academician urged to include the book in the syllabus of college and university level students. It would prove to be a useful source to foster, wisdom and pride into the hearts and minds of the young generation about the glorious past of our land and its people..
Golden jubilee painting exhibition by rahi and hajira:
The celebrated couple known as Mansoor Rahi and Hajira Mansoor was presented through an exhibition of its paintings on April 23. The venue was National Art Gallery of Pakistan National Council of the Arts. The event carried a unique significance of portraying different segments of creative work done by Mansoor Rahi during the last 50 long years. It also represented his wife Hajira, with her evolutionary paintings created during a lesser time frame in comparatism to her husband. The creative painters titled their exhibition as 'melange', a French word means mixture. It highlights the compositions of the exhibition, which carries paintings created in different mood, feelings and time lines.
Mansoor Rahi is known for his emotional association with cubism and abstractionism since his early period. Realism too stands near to him as he completed a 'food crisis' series with charcoal on paper in the 70s. It was a powerful expression of agitation against the injustice inflicted on third world countries by the super powers of that time. In his abstract and cubic work, Rahi emphasized on anatomical precision, accuracy and aesthetic.
Being a vigilant painter he never becomes static or dull, instead a vibrant urge always keeps him moving towards innovative pursuits. He loves putting variations to techniques, application of colors and division of space with proportion, balance, matching to the given theme of the painting. It could be seen in his representative works displayed in the exhibition under the category named 'academic realism 1957', 'cubic analytic fractionism 1968', 'organic mysticism 1973', 'rayonistic cubical formalism' and 'neo-precisionism 1990'. The evolutionary of works by an artist of Rahi's high stature offers a good opportunity to serious students and art enthusiasts to go through the creative sojourn of the artist. It indeed gives a unique visual joy to viewers.
Mansoor Rahi is a graduate of Government College of Arts and Crafts, Dhaka, Bangladesh 1961. Later on, he proceeded to Germany, Japan and France for yet more training. He possesses great reverence for Zainul Abedin, a legendary painter of Bangladesh known for his powerful realism in the field of visual arts.
Hajira Mansoor is equally a master painter with her own unique style and thematic scope of creativity. Her romance with feminine grandeur in oriental style always reflects in her paintings. Her dreamlike canvases take the viewer to a state of trans and intuition. Paintings created in her individualistic style speak of, feminine beauty and charm eastern cultures. She did her graduation from Government College, Lukhnow, India. Hajira Mansoor, in collaboration with her elder sister Rabia Zuberi, a famous sculptor initiated the project of Karachi School of Arts. She is the recipient of various meritorious awards. Hajira Mansoor enjoys the credit of participation in numerous solo and group shows at home and abroad.
National integrity through iqbal's teaching:
The philosophical message and poetic renditions of Allama Iqbal, the poet of East based on Quranic teachings and the sacred Uswa-e-Hasna of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) inspire people towards relentless struggle for a just society. The idea of a new state of Muslims in the undivided sub continent was also dreamt by Iqbal, which was, later on, translated into reality by the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah through his relentless struggle.
Now once again we, the Muslims, could benefit from Iqbal's teaching with regard to cementing our degenerating state of national integrity and cohesion. It was the consensus that emerged out of the discourse of different speakers while eulogizing Allama Iqbal on the occasion of his death anniversary, on April 21. The venue was Sir Syed Memorial Society and participants hailed from all walks of life, especially the young kids of Sir Syed School, Bhar Khu, an outskirt of the capital city.
Research scholar Zaid Hamed urged people to study Iqbal's poetry and articles which motivate readers towards socio-cultural unity and cohesion. He said if we mentally and intellectually make ourselves equipped with the powerful thoughts of Iqbal and convert those into practice, we could successfully meet the challenges of modern times confronting us. Brig. Iqbal Shafi, a renowned intellectual and president, Sir Syed Memorial Society elaborated the vision of Iqbal in the light of Islamic teachings. He asked youngsters to study Iqbal's poetry and try to shape their socio-cultural behavior accordingly. Syed Mansoor Aqil, an intellectual, urged the audience to adhere to the motivational message of Iqbal to cope with the modern day multi - facetted issues confronting the Muslim world, especially the Pakistani people.
A meaningful exhibition of photographs depicting the life long personal and creative odyssey of Iqbal was also on display on the occasion. People especially the young generation, took keen interest in the visual images.