By
Lt Gen (R) Sardar Hasan Azhar Hayat
MD Pakistan Land Port Authority
Ex. MD Green Tourism Pvt. Ltd
It is always nice to become part of local happenings around you. This keeps culture and heritage alive! Unfortunately, this trend is diminishing, and we don’t want to make an effort to know what is happening around us. But I assure you, the moment you take interest, you will find many people with diversified interests.
Lately, I was invited to the Shahadat Anniversary of Tipu Sultan on 4th May. Frankly, how many of us know that it was 4th May and how this great lion fought!
A couple of days back, a friend shared a flyer for an arts exhibition on Gandhara. I did not miss the opportunity. Passing on GT Road almost daily, I always noticed a new mall called Mall of Wah where the exhibition was to be held. I had never visited the place, so one weekend morning I went there. By any standards, the mall is no less than those in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, but I had no interest in Dynasties and Mini Sos. Whatever the case, it has been ages since I bought anything for myself.
As I entered, my eye caught an old book stall! I went around the mall, wandering, and finally asked a salesgirl, and she pointed towards a quiet corner where the exhibition was being held.
I saw a lot of paintings, water colours, hand sketches, and much more. After spending a lot of time there, I asked a young boy if anyone was around selling these items. He said yes, there is an old person who is selling them. Suddenly, he saw Pervez Khan, the artist — a lean, tall person with a beard in his late 50s — leisurely walking towards us.
“Here he is,” the boy said, and left.
I started talking to him, and initially he also thought I was someone just walking past. But when I told him I had come to see his work and not the mall, he paid attention.
He told me he had been painting for the last 35 years and lived nearby! He also showed me some pictures and said these were from the anniversary of Marka-e-Haq. I asked the price, and he said it varies, but an oil painting of about 2–3 feet cost Rs 15K.
I asked him, “I heard you also paint Gandhara themes?” He replied, “Yes, I have done a lot on it, but the mall people gave me a small place.” I asked why, as the mall was almost empty. He just kept quiet, but later I learnt that the mall people ask for money.
I asked him more about his work, and he sent me many pictures of Gandhara art. Such wonderful art!
What struck my mind was this: we had just finished with the Vesakh festival, and so much happened in Taxila — why can’t we give space to these artists and to people like Ayaz Khan, the sculptor, to display and maybe sell their art?
Now I realise why China and Europe promote local art everywhere, while in our case artists work from home and not at tourist places. Everything should not be viewed purely commercially. I feel that if artists are helped with space and a shop, the trend and zeal to learn will grow.
I will take this up with the Archaeology Department and the Ministry of Heritage for consideration.
I did promise Pervez Sahib some support in some form. In the end, I introduced myself properly to him, and we exchanged numbers. I also requested a picture with him 😊. All they need is encouragement.
As I turned back, a young boy walked up to me and, searching on his mobile, showed my picture in uniform. He took my name and asked if I was the same person. I said yes, and he would not let me leave without a cup of tea.
My focus, however, was on old books, so after a polite refusal and a hug, we exchanged numbers and I went to the old book stalls.
There were novels and books of all types, mostly in very good condition, some even pin-packed. The prices were mostly Rs 100, many for Rs 200, and the maximum was Rs 500. Definitely, I was buying something.
Was I happy or unhappy? Actually, unhappy. This is what social media has done to our new generation. Hardly there was a buyer, and just look at the prices.
I spent quite some time exploring different areas of interest, but only one young boy bought a novel worth Rs 100.
I asked the owner if this was a regular feature, and he pointed towards the first floor and said he had a shop there. I went and spent another 20 minutes there. Finally, I picked up six nice hardcover books worth Rs 1200 for my wife.
As I was getting late, I also noticed another lady artist who was selling jute cases for bottles and flasks. I promised myself to return again.
There is so much art around us, only if we realise it
