The World of Arts

Lahore on canvas

Gwen HERAT

Pakistan appeared a stable country when I last visited in 2006 under President Pervez Musharaff and three years later, it is reduced to a country in turmoil which not many want to visit. People had hopes then. Even the Pakistani Women's Cricket team were happy and expressed their appreciation for Musharaff for creating an atmosphere where women were able to play international cricket.

The three-nation Women's Asia Cup was being played at Gadaffi Stadium while I took time off to explore the cultural centres in Lahore along with Pakistan Women's Cricket boss, Dr. Mira Phailbas who literally dragged me through streets and centres buzzing with people. I was not impressed.

The art I wanted see were not there until I met up with Dr. Ajaz Anwar who later I was to learn, was the spirit and soul behind Lahore's art and its survivor.

A simple but highly professional authority both in old and new Lahore's art, he was also the Dean of the Faculty of Art and author of many books. His professional guidance has seen thousands of youth studying and qualifying in art.

I continued with my quest with Dr. Phailabas trailing behind until I reached old Lahore. And wow; what I saw was like tale from an Arabian mystery.

The legendary city with its oriental charm, Lahore is situated on the left bank of the river Ravi which attracts tourists and I saw many of them that morning. Historically speaking, Lahore and each period clearly marked on it starting from pre-Moghul, Sikh, British and post-Independence and they are all still represented through their development and planning as well as in architecture.

A canal flowing through north to south areas are lined with blossoming trees and luxurious bungalows with large gardens are just a few meters away from the campus of the Punjab University and one can see students with their books gazing at the rowing boats and hosts of butterflies, flitting from tree to tree.

But it is the old city of Lahore that attracted me most, thronged with playing children with old folks minding their buffaloes, horses and cattle. I also saw a camel. There is also a large zoo. Goods are displayed and dumped outside the shops. Oh' there is so much life, real day to day life. This is the Lahore I wanted see on canvas. The wallet city is a monument and I will never forget her splendour with multi-storeyed buildings that Dr. Anwar has so carefully captured on canvas. The city is located over mild slopes formed by its own debris, collected over centuries.

The most picturesque part of Lahore is missed by visitors. But, here I was gazing at her wonders. The city is best seen by pedestrians. Dr. Phailbas and I decided to walk through and through, braving the dust and the curiosity of the kids. After going through grain market with thousands of pigeons, we entered the cloth market where I bought three embroidered silk shawls for my children.

The high-rising ancient buildings amazed me. I had to keep looking up and walking occasionally bumping into people. It was like being lost in the city of Moghuls and what my eyes captured. Dr. Anwar had already put on canvas.

Painter, Dr. Ajaz Anwar works in water colours and is not only a prominent artist but also a scholar who has travelled extensively. He did his Masters in Fine Arts and won the Gold Medal from Punjab University. He also studied in Rome and lectured in Uganda and extensively in Pakistan. He only paints buildings in water colour and it is the most difficult medium. Never in a hurry to complete painting a building which he considers it as living history, dating over several centuries. So, he remains a historian by choice and what a camera cannot capture, Dr. Anwar does it with brilliance.

Travel has influenced Dr. Anwar. Exposure widened his visions, especially his stay in Rome and Africa that are two totally different cultures. Even Istanbul had impressed him.

Always willing to learn the art of all countries which he says make him to understand his culture better.