Exhibition of ancient Quranic manuscripts concludes
National
May 7, 2021
RAWALPINDI: The week-long unique and impressive exhibition of ancient Quranic manuscripts and works of Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Era, organised by Punjab Arts Council and Khaneh Farhang Iran, was concluded at Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) here Wednesday with an impressive moment of heavy attendance by art lovers of ancient Islamic calligraphy. The exhibition also contained 700-year-old Quranic manuscripts besides masterpieces of art works by renowned calligraphist Muhammad Azeem Iqbal.
Senior Vice President Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Zeba Naz graced the ceremony as the chief guest who visited the exhibition along with Naheed Manzoor and Director Waqar Ahmad. Addressing the closing ceremony, Zeba Naz said that the exhibition of manuscripts of Holy Quran was a source of spiritual joy and a manifestation of the common property of Muslims. She said that promotion of mutual harmony and tolerance among Muslims was essential in the current situation and the Punjab Arts Council Rawalpindi had played an important role in this regard. Zeba Naz said that after seeing more than 50 works of calligraphic art by Muhammad Azeem Iqbal, the memory of the Prophet’s era was also refreshed because this calligrapher has tried to fill his works with the same color as at that time where so many facilities were not available and the Qur’an was preserved by writing on whatever was available. Naheed Manzoor said that seeing the exhibition refreshed the faith of a Muslim. Looking at such ancient Quranic manuscripts, it is clear that even then, artists were putting their talents to good use, she added. She also appreciated the efforts of Khaneh Farhang Iran on the marvelous exhibition.
Rawalpindi : The week-long unique and impressive exhibition of ancient Quranic manuscripts and works of Prophet Era, organised by Punjab Arts Council and Khaneh Farhang Iran, was concluded at...
Exquisite manuscripts on display at Arts Council
Exhibition meant to honour the Holy Quran, promote the Quranic culture and concepts
A Reuters file image
RAWALPINDI:
The Punjab Arts Council, the Khana Farhang Iran Rawalpindi, and the Persian Research Center in Iran and Pakistan have jointly organised an exhibition of handwritten copies of the Holy Quran along with an exhibition of calligraphy-based on the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) era by renowned calligrapher Muhammad Azeem Iqbal.
Speaking on the occasion, the Cultural Consular Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ehsan Khazaei, said Muslims need more empathy and compassion than before to resolve problems faced by the Ummah, and the best solution is the Holy Quran which serves as a beacon for humanity.
Laggan phul gulaab de ni tere
Dohi paase wasde ni adiye putt Punjab de.
And Shaukat Ali was a true son of the soil, who, when he lived, he lived for the idea of Punjab, and now when he is no more, he unites his fans on either side of the border. The song, ‘Ni waghe diye sarhade’, was written by Chan Jandialvi and sung by many, but it is Shaukat Ali’s rendition that gives goosebumps each time. The voice still resonates, it will resonate for long.
Shaukat Ali was born in Pakistan but represented what is hailed as the shared cultural heritage of the two Punjabs. His career spanned six decades. He found fame early on with his song, ‘Kannu door door rende ho’, recorded by HMV. His oeuvre included Punjabi folk, Urdu ghazals and nationalistic songs. However, his heart beat for Punjab. He hated the border, but would often light candles in the wind at Wagah when Kuldip Nayar gave the call. He hated Samjhauta Express, but made endless journeys on it to meet his extended family here. He would say it should rather be called ‘Bichhoda Express’ and would confess being the saddest on his return journey.
PAC holds talent hunt competition
Islamabad
February 28, 2021
Rawalpindi: The Punjab Arts Council (PAC) has organised the Talent Hunt Program 2021 in Jhelum here on Saturday.
The Talent Hunt competitions included in singing, musical instruments, poetry, fiction and paintings.
Muhammad Imran Aslam Mughal President Tehrik-e-Isnaf youth wing were the chief guest on the occassion. Addressing the function, Imran Aslam Mughal said that Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar was striving for the promotion of arts and culture in the province.
Punjab is rich in art and culture. The province has introduced the best hidden talent who earned good name due to outstanding performance. The Talent Programme is a great opportunity for the youth to express their art, he added.
Punjab talent hunt competitions schedule
Islamabad
February 21, 2021
Rawalpindi: Punjab Council of the Arts (PUCAR) has announced the schedule for ‘Punjab Talent Hunt competitions’' to be held at district, divisional and provincial levels for providing an opportunity to the youth to refine their talent in different fields.
Under the schedule, District Level completion in districts would began from 24th February while Divisional level competition would start from 10th March to promote hidden talent in the youth of the province.
District, Divisional and Province levels competition will be held in the field of singing, instruments playing, fine Arts, craft, literature, Short Story Writing, and short film making.
Poets, scholars must raise voice against those who divide in name of religion: Surjit Patar
ANI |
Updated: Feb 13, 2021 20:45 IST
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], February 13 (ANI): Nine prominent poets recited their poems and songs during the Trilingual National Kavi Darbar organised by the Punjab Arts Council on the occasion of 400th Parkash Purb of the ninth Guru Sri Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji on Saturday.
The event was inaugurated by renowned Punjabi poet and Chairman of Punjab Arts Council Dr Surjit Patar, where poets recited their poems in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Patar said that the significance of teachings, sacrifice and incomparable martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur has increased even more in the present era when the existence of many religions is threatened by divisions in the name of religion.
Weekend draws rush at Lok Mela
Cultural festival features provincial pavilions, artisans at work, folk songs and dance
Famous qawwal group Sultanul Qadria performs at the on-going Lok Mela in the capital. PHOTO: ONLINE
ISLAMABAD:
People of the twin cities came in droves to enjoy the 10-day festival showcasing cultural heritage of the federating units of Pakistan.
With official opening held on Friday, it was a public-friendly environment on Saturday.
People of the capital including foreigners were seen enjoying the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) festival Lok Mela on weekend.
The festival features provincial pavilions, artisans at work, folk songs and dance performances, craft bazaar, cultural nights, folkloric performances and many other activities.
‘Voice of Potohar’ rings out
Punjab Council of the Arts - Rawalpindi (PUCAR) arranged an online musical night for 'Voice of Potohar'
RAWALPINDI:
To encourage and provide a platform to the young talent of the region, the Punjab Council of the Arts - Rawalpindi (PUCAR) arranged an online musical night for 'Voice of Potohar'.
The talent on show for the musical evening was Hamza Ali, Robina Khan, Wazir Ali, Master Majeed, Samuel Frances and Ishaq Saqi. They performed Potohari folk songs.
Anti-Narcotics Force Director Riaz Soomro said that the event was an important step of the council to continue its cultural activities even during the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown.
Musical night at PUCAR
July 13, 2020
Rawalpindi : To encourage and provide platform to the young talent of the region, Punjab Council of the Arts, Rawalpindi (PUCAR) arranged an online Musical Night with title of ‘Voice of Potohar’ here on Saturday night.
Director Anti-Narcotics Force Muhammad Riaz Soomro graced the occasion as chief guest accompanied by Director Punjab Arts Council, Rawalpindi Waqar Ahmed. The singers Hamza Ali, Robina Khan, Wazir Ali, Master Majeed, Samel Frances and Muhammad Ishaq Saqi performed on the occasion. The singers presented folk songs. Addressing at the occasion, Director Anti-Narctics Force Muhammad Riaz Soomro said that it was an appreciable step of the Council to continue its cultural activities online during lockdown. He said these activities not only providing platform to young talent but also recreational healthy entertainment to the people. Director Punjab Arts Council, Rawalpindi Waqar Ahmed told that the Council started its online activities from the beginning of lockdown due to COVID-19.
The Subtle Subversion Of Sadequain
The master artist, considered among the four most gifted names Pakistan has bequeathed to the world, would have turned 90 today. A commemorative volume on the painter, calligrapher and poet shines a spotlight on the artist and the man.Â
Sadequain. Photo: Author provided
Like many of my generation, my introduction to Sadequain â who was born 90 years ago today, June 30 â came through oblique references to âowning a Sadequainâ that one had read or heard about from connoisseurs, or when we at the Progressive Writers Association organised a function to celebrate the 88th birthday of the master artist, calligrapher and poet a couple of years ago in Lahore. It was then that I discovered that art was only one of the facets of this gifted humanist. I was hardly eight years old when he passed away in Karachi, in 1987.
‘Fasting Sadequain I’ Self-portrait from the 1976 exhibition | The Holy Sinner
Sunday, June 12, 1976 had been another hot day. With the weekend over, Lahoris gathered at their homes for dinner. The short twilight that marks Lahore’s summers was deepening when, at 7:30pm, residents of Shadman II town, whose homes were close to the Punjab Arts Council (PAC), heard a deafening blast. As fire trucks wailed, news got around: the gallery of the PAC had been bombed. The seething protests against the inimitable artist Sadequain had taken a dangerous turn.
After a successful exhibition at the Khana-i-Aftab in Tehran, where he had the pleasure of turning down Queen Farah Pahlavi’s request for a portrait, Sadequain had arrived in Lahore in February 1976. He lodged in a small cabin on top of the hillock in Bagh-i-Jinnah. Christening it Koh-i-Alwaan, he filled the cabin with canvas after canvas in a frenzy of creativity. Forty figurative works and 40 illustrations of Sadequain’s rubaaiyaat (quatrains) were being displayed in the PAC gallery.
