The first-of-its-kind exhibition in the history of Taxila was inaugurated at the Gandhara Art Gallery where renowned artist Pervaiz Khan showcased the historical and cultural landscape of Gandhara in a series of aesthetic portraits.
Gandhara, the cradle of Buddhist Civilisation, gave birth to Gandhara art. Researchers say that the aim of this art was to propagate Buddhism through different images carved and made in stones.
Some believe there are several myths among the locals, connected with the rock carvings. One is that the Buddhists carved the sculptures to mark hidden treasures nearby.
University of Wah Vice Chancellor Dr Jameelud Din Nabi, who was the guest of honour, said that he was deeply impressed by the unique artworks.
Various social figures, including Sheikh Saluddhid and Zaheerul Hasan Zaildar, who are knowns for their efforts to promote cultural heritage of Taxila greatly appreciated the efforts of the Gandhara Resource Center to promote the art and cultural heritage of Taxila.
Zaildar termed the art gallery as the first step toward the cultural renaissance of Gandhara. He acknowledged the founder members of Gandhara Resource Center, named Iftikhar Ahmad, Malick Ushtar, Iftikhar Uddin Siddiqui, Riaz Ahmad, Dr Nadeem Omar Tarar, and Iqbal Khattaq, for their dedication and commitment to promoting Gandhara heritage of Pakistan.
The exhibition attracted a large number of people from neighboring cities and from a cross-section of the civil society of Taxila. Renowned artist Rahat Syed, Ibtisam Peerzada, Institute of Architects of Pakistan Vice-Chairperson Syed Asad Naqvi, poet Ghulam Rasool Aukha, Sohrab Mali, poetess Shafqat Hayat Shafiq and also attended the event.
The Gandhara Art Gallery was established by Gandhara Resource Center, which is a project of the Center for Culture and Development.
The exhibition will continue till Thursday (today).
Published in The Express Tribune, March 31st, 2022.
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