Chitra Pritam: Bringing impressionism to the fore

Renowned artist Chitra Pritam talks painting career, learning under guidance of Jamil Naqsh

KARACHI: In modern times, when we think of painting, we imagine realistic depictions with more emphasis on line and structure. However, that’s something that came about after the advent of photography. In 19th century Paris, some painters came together to form the art movement known as Impressionism. What it did differently than others was that it shifted focus from pronounced lines to colour and light. The idea was to depict the constant changes in light through colour rather than achieve realism.

In Pakistan, about 30 years ago, a young man known as Chitra Pritam set out to paint his small village of Sanjarpur in Rahim Yar Khan district. He moved to Karachi in order to learn the art and soon found himself under the tutelage of painter Jamil Naqsh. “He is my guru. He taught me everything. A lot of teachers mold their students into what they are, but Jamil Naqsh helped me become who I am,” Pritam told The Express Tribune.

It was under Naqsh’s guidance that Pritam was introduced to Impressionistic art and was fascinated by it. Citing Impressionism co-founder Claude Monet, and Dutch Post-Impressionist Van Gogh as his inspirations, Pritam brings to life the landscapes and day-to-day scenes with his thin brush strokes and warm colours.

“The landscape doesn’t matter. It’s the time, feeling, light and weather that matter. I started painting Buddha back in the day but I thought I didn’t understand it,” shared Pritam. “So I started painting things and places that I saw every day: the tree under which I used to study or the streets and scenes that I saw for years.”



After moving to Karachi, Pritam would often go to his village to paint, and then bring his work to finish it in his studio under his teacher’s guidance. Pritam also works with abstract paintings and calligraphy, often painting Quranic verses from time to time.

The artist has experimented with different materials, ranging from oil paints to acrylics and water colours. However, he enjoys working with oil paints the most. “I really love to use oil paints because when you work with them, you work in so many layers. I like their plasticity. It allows you freedom and I enjoy it.”

When asked what advice he would give to younger artists, Pritam stated, “I’d just say keep doing it. Take guidance from a master and learn the craft. Keep working on it, and one day it will turn from coal to diamond.”

Pritam’s work has been exhibited in solo as well as at various group exhibitions in the US, UK, Dubai and many other countries. He even published a book, Chitra Pritam’s Expression of Gratitude to Jamil Naqsh, in 2010. He’s currently working to put together an exhibition in Karachi.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2016.

Like Life & Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.