A two-day exhibition of legendary cartoonist the late Anwar Ali, creator of famous character Nanna began at the Lahore Press Club (LPC) on Tuesday. Anwar Ali (1922-2004) was the first newspaper cartoonist in Pakistan whose work spanned over thirty years of his association with the Pakistan Times from 1947 to 1977.
Anwar Ali was an editorial cartoonist who through his character Nanna made people think about the current political, social, cultural, religious and economic issues and influenced the public opinion. Readers of the defunct Pakistan Times loved him as the boy (Nanna) in the cartoon narrated stories through lines and satire. For more than 30 years the cartoon serial remained one of the most widely appreciated items on the pages of the Pakistan Times for its brief, down to earth, and honest comment to expose hypocrisy of upper strata of the society.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by a large number of veteran and young journalists, students of Mass Communication and old fans of Ali's cartoons. Speaking on the occasion veteran journalist and human rights activist I A Rehman said Ali's cartoons reflected progressive views of the Pakistan Times that included support for social justice, democracy, peace and human rights.
The Management and Editorial Board of the newspaper held him in high esteem and appreciated his creative contribution to the journalism. Research scholar and veteran cartoonist "Maxim" said that Ali's creation "NANNA" represented the aspirations, expectations and miseries of the common man.
"Nanna's" spontaneous comments on political and social life exposed the hypocrisy and underlined the sad plight of the common man living under unresponsive administration. Chairman Mass Communication Department Beacon House National University Dr Mehdi Hassan said Anwar Ali was a legendary exponent of art of editorial cartoons who with a few lines could make a powerful comment on the social, religious and political contradictions of the society. His cartoons continue to remain highly relevant even today.
One of the organisers of the exhibition Professor Azizuddin Ahmad said the purpose of the exhibition is to bring back NANNA to meet its members, students of Mass Communication and general public. The cartoons displayed will refresh old memories, provide younger newspaper readers and students of journalism a refreshing encounter with Anwar Ali.
Anwar Ali's son, Dr Ejaz Anwar, an art professor in the National College of Arts, Lahore said that he intends to publish a book containing the famous cartoons of his father for the benefit of students of visual journalism and social and political commentators through the craft of cartoons. The concluding ceremony will be held today (Wednesday) at 3.30 pm at the Lahore Press Club which will be presided over by veteran journalist Hameed Akhtar and addressed by prominent members of the country's cartoonists galaxy.