Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi on Thursday said that presenting the thought and philosophy of Allama Muhammad Iqbal through art was a unique and effective initiative, and that efforts would be made to showcase such artworks at exhibitions abroad to introduce Iqbal’s message to audiences around the world.
He expressed these views while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a painting and art exhibition titled “Saqi Nama,” organized by the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) in collaboration with Off-Grid Studios. The Federal Minister inaugurated the exhibition at the Lok Virsa Heritage Museum, Islamabad.
The exhibition was organized as a tribute to the great philosopher and poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal and featured artworks by renowned artists Geytee Ara, Lubna Jehangir and Zara Haider Babry.
Appreciating the artworks displayed at the exhibition, Federal Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said that he was delighted to see the remarkable work of the artists. He said the artists had beautifully transformed Allama Iqbal’s poetry and message into artistic expressions.
He said the work was of a high standard and comparable to some of the finest artworks presented internationally. The Federal Minister said that selected artworks would be preserved and efforts would also be made to showcase them at exhibitions abroad so that the world could be introduced to Allama Iqbal’s thought and message in a unique and effective manner.
Speaking on the occasion, Executive Director Lok Virsa Dr. Muhammad Waqas Saleem expressed his pleasure over the organization of the exhibition and said that it was an artistic reflection of the ideas and philosophy of Allama Iqbal.
He said that the primary objective of the exhibition was to convey Iqbal’s message to a wider audience.
Renowned artist Geytee Ara highlighted the objectives of the exhibition and shared her creative journey and the challenges involved in completing this unique artistic project. She particularly urged young people to visit the exhibition and read Allama Iqbal’s Saqi Nama in order to remain connected with their great literary and intellectual heritage.
Renowned artist Zarar also recited selected verses from Allama Iqbal’s Saqi Nama, which were warmly appreciated by the audience. He also highlighted various efforts made to promote and present Allama Iqbal’s thought and message in different ways.
Patron-in-Chief of Pakistan Sweet Home Zamurrad Khan also attended the ceremony as a special guest.
Zamurd Khan said that the “Saqi Nama” exhibition was an effort to introduce the thought, philosophy and message of Allama Muhammad Iqbal to the younger generation and the wider public through painting and the visual arts.
