“Rang-e-Lahore”is Revival of the Traditional Arts

Lahore: In connection with celebrating, Lahore Museum collaborated with Naqsh School of Arts in holding an exhibition titled “Revival of the Traditional Arts” from March 21, 2013 to March 31, 2013 that is inaugurated by Syed Babar Ali, Chairman of Babar Ali Foundation.

Naqsh School of Arts or Naqsh Arts Complex was established by Syed Babar Ali in 2003 in his ancestral home – the Mubarak Haveli located inside the Bhati Gate. The school is for the less privileged children of the walled city and adjoining areas. The school/Arts Complex is fully funded by the Babar Ali Foundation.

The purpose is to promote and develop this event for marketing of art works by students of Naqsh School of Arts. The exhibition is specifically on art and Pakistani national culture for attracting tourists both from Pakistan and abroad. In this event, visitors attending the event can enjoy the art pieces prepared by young artists following different school of arts once prevalent in the sub-continent.

The exhibition focuses on the revival of traditional arts such as Calligraphy, Naqashi as illustrated on Tile works, Miniatures, Pottery and one of their main works is “Kasb-e-Kamal Series” which contains miniatures & pottery by different artists of Mughal Court. These miniatures also depict various elements and skills involved in producing miniatures such as making of Wasli and natural pigments. In addition to this, various other artists and artisans associated with Mughal Court such as goldsmiths, musicians and blacksmiths are also portrayed.

Another production of Naqsh School of Arts is ”Miniatures in Guler and Kangra Style”. These are two of their Provincial Miniature Schools which developed after weakening of Mughal Court where Miniature Artists associated with Mughal Court came into employment of rulers of Provincial States.

The students of National School of Arts have documented ‘Naqashi’ from monuments and artifacts in Lahore, Peshawar, Multan and Okara. These Naqashi patterns are also depicted on pottery, tiles and panels. Another beautiful contribution of the Naqsh School of Art is “Miniature based on Poetry of Bulleh Shah”.

Babar lauded the role of Lahore Museum in promoting art through aggressive presentation by way of exhibitions, buyer-seller meeting, visits of delegations etc. Ms. Naheed Rizvi, Member, Board of Governors, Lahore Museum and Ms. Sumaira Samad, Director Lahore Museum was also present at the opening ceremony and graced the occasion.