Landscape painting exhibition: 13 gates of Walled City brought back to life

Speakers say govt should restore the old gates to their former glory.

LAHORE: The thirteen gates of Walled City, the heritage of ancient Lahore, have been brought back to life by artist Munawar Mohiuddin. The large-size landscape paintings of 13 gates from Lahori Gate to Roshni Gate were put on display at a painting exhibition at the Minhas Art Gallery of Government College University (GCU) Lahore.

Mian Ijaz ul Hassan, a renowned painter, writer and art critic inaugurated the Mohiuddin’s solo show at GCU on Thursday.

While speaking on the occasion, he said, “Without its heritage, Lahore is nothing. We, the artist community, want the government to understand this.” He said they welcomed the development but it should not be at the cost of heritage.

Hassan added most of these gates did not exist anymore and the artist had recreated them on the basis of their description in the historical books and documents. “These thirteen gates were brands of ancient Lahore and Munawar Mohiuddin has made them eternal through his artwork,” he pointed out.



He maintained the government should seek inspiration from Mohiuddin’s work and should restore these old gates.

Renowned cartoonist Javaid Iqbal said these oil paintings were vibrant in impression and they did not only reveal the beautiful architecture of these gates but also the energetic life around them.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah said every single gate of Old Lahore had its own history and significance, adding this show was a contribution to promote and save the majestic heritage of Lahore in the form of paintings.

GCU Fine Arts Department Chairperson Erfanullah Babar and PUCAT Principle Dr Shahida Manzoor also spoke.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5^th, 2017.