Shakir Ali Musesum is the venue of a unique exhibition of photographs titled 'barestay rung' (showering colours) depicting the socio-cultural and natural charm of Pakistan these days. Inaugurated by Dr Mubusher Hassan, an eminent scholar and former Finance Minister of ZAB government in 70s and senior photographer Azher Hussain Jafery, were the chief guests on the occasion.
Shakir Ali Museum (SAM) is the part of Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA). Since its inception in 1975 it has been a nucleus of art and cultural activities in the provincial metropolis. Credit of it indeed goes to dynamic cultural managers Amina Ismail Patodi and Riaz Bhatti director and deputy director respectively.
It may be recalled that prior to be the museum, the premises was the abode of Shakir Ali, a world renowned painter and former principal of National College of Art (NCA), design of which was conceived by himself and executed by Nayyar Ali Dada, a veteran architect of the country.
The house itself could be termed as the art piece of cement, burnt bricks and iron. To Lahorites it is a peaceful place of learning arts as well as a centre for the promotion and projection of indigenous arts and culture. The ongoing exhibition of colourful photographs is an extended effort of SAM's serialised endeavours. The exhibition 'barestay rung', as the title suggests really create a fusion of a variety of colours imbibed with the beauty, charm and grandeur of Pakistan's landscape.
The participating photographers include Waseem Niaz, Nadeem Khawar, Mahmood Qureshi, Arif Ali and Umair Ghani. All of them have endeavoured hard to conceive and execute the selected themes through camera. It may be recalled that our critics were always shown shyness in recognising the photography as an art genre till recent past.
They viewed it a mechanical outcome with the aid of camera overlooking that all art form depend on certain tool or medium and enjoy amicable harmony among them like painting and colours, music and instruments, sculpture and stone or clay etc. In fact it is not the tool or medium but the vision of the artist, which conceives and executes art piece in certain available medium.
The same creative process has been accomplished by the creative photographers of the ongoing exhibition. They have well perceived their titles followed by a thorough study and finally executing the camera in the most suitable moment with balanced synthesis of light, shades and colours. The photographs thus created possess all the elements of charm and magnetic attraction for the viewers. Having a round of the exhibition in fact takes the art lovers to all the four corners of the country.
The silky waters, milk white snow cladding mountainous peaks, lush green landscape and many other scenic representation of the country invite the people to see them and enjoy the bounties of the Creator. This cherished aspect of the exhibition elevated the event as a source of national integrity and cohesion.
Besides the thematic variety and representation of the natural charm of the land the exhibition could be termed as the most effective tool of promoting the tourism in the country. It is the earnest obligation of the ministries of Tourism, Culture, Youth Affairs, Minorities, Overseas Pakistanis and Religious Affairs to chalk out some co-ordinated planning to attract national as well as international tourism.
It would not only accelerate the pace of national economy but also soften the peaceful image of Pakistan based on the cherished values of peace, progress and prosperity. Serious art lovers and social scientists urged the PNCA and other concerned agencies to send the exhibition to other parts of the country and also abroad for the greater benefit of the people.
Performing Art Festival: The Government College University (GCU) organised a four day performing arts festival aiming at fostering the social awareness on terrorism and its psychological effects on the people. Inaugurated on April 3 the event was participated by eight educational institutions of the country with the presentation of plays, skits and mime accomplishments.
One could see and enjoy the theatrical endeavours by the students on ongoing act of terrorism and extremism and their fall out in the country. It is indeed a satisfactory sign that our educational institutions are not confined only to the curricular activities but also attach importance to the day to day development in the society.
A play 'Cry of a Child' presented by the Centre for Social and Cultural Studies of the University of Punjab was well received by the audience on account of its current theme, production and action. As the title of the play suggests the play revolves around the agonies of a child who was mentally shattered with the persistent acts of heinous terrorism and brutality.
A play 'Teen Murday Teen Kahanian' reflected the mechanism through which innocent children gone through a process of brain washing following by black mailing and oppression by the terrorist to get their brutal mission completed by the brain washed innocent operatives.
The brilliant students of Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) did well by presenting a mime item depicting the sufferings and hardships of the people trapped by the terrorist elements. The theatrical entry of Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad was also applauded on account of its sharp theme and artistic presentation.
It speaks the irresponsible and casual behaviour of our youth, which harms the overall structure of the society. The effort invites the concerned institutions and parents as well to deliver their duty with regard to making the young people responsible citizens useful for the society.
The students of Punjab University and the Centre for Clinical Psychology presented mime items and skits depicting the outcome of terrorist activities in our day to day life. A play 'Crime and Punishment' was much appreciated due to its multifaceted theme and natural actions by the performers.
Pak-Sri Lanka interaction: An attractive exhibition of paintings by five artists one of those from Sri Lanka was inaugurated on April 2 here at Ijaz Art Galleries. Three of the artists Meher Afroz, Naseer Bhurgri and Adeel Zafar hail from Karachi while Sana Arjumand was from Islamabad. And Jagath Ravindara was the painter from Sri Lanka. Having a bird eye view of the exhibits one really enjoys the colours synthesis, balanced compositions, artistic aesthetic and thematic clarity put by the artists in their respective works.
Meher Afroz is indeed the most senior and seasoned artist of our country. Her deep insight towards the socio-cultural ambiance of the sub-continent and the rich cultural heritage of the humanity nurtured on this part of the globe always provides a source of inspiration to Meher. The displayed works depicts her artistic inclination towards surrealism. She criticises the prevalent socio-cultural crises inflicted on our society and thus causing a state of agony and desperation among the people.
Sana Arjumand proved to be a brave person discovering her own way and style. In her series of three paintings titled 'Massive Human Search' she boldly experienced existence. It depicts the urge to explore maximum potential of creativity in the realm of art by the artist.
Adeel Zafar and Naseer Bhurgri opted abstraction with easy expression of meaningfulness. The artist from Sri Lanka Jagath Ravindra also did most of his work in abstraction and played well with the red colour and its wonderful tonal expressions. His imagery is powerful and attractive. It is believed that the art and creative interaction amongst the artists of Pakistan and Sri Lanka would further enhance the channels of sharing each other's experience and expertise in the field of art and culture in near future.