Artists demonstrate Mughal era artwork

A seminar was held at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) in collaboration with Nomad Art Gallery on Wednesday where traditional and contemporary miniature art was demonstrated along with a briefing on its origin and history.

Najam Kazmi, an established miniature artist, also demonstrated his artistic skills. Similarly, five other contemporary artists including Areej Nasir, Iman Pirzada, Khurram Abbass, and Tauqeer Hilbi also demonstrated their skills for amateur artists and students from various educational institutions of the federal capital.

During the event, the participants also created several drawings with the help of a demonstration by Najam Kazmi. This seminar was part of ongoing week-long activities to celebrate the cultural diversity of Pakistan and to create social harmony through soft expressions of art. The activities included a group art exhibition, performance, workshops, storytelling and seminar by various artists on the subject of `Diversity and Social Harmony" featuring traditional and contemporary arts.

Najam Kazmi has been working as a miniature, contemporary and traditional artist since 1989 to date. He was conferred the Tamgha-e- Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan and honoured with the lifetime achievement award by the Rawalpindi Art Council. He has exhibited his work in many countries including Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, Algeria, Sri Lanka, India and the Gulf.

Mughal style of miniature painting was responsible for the amalgamation of indigenous themes and styles along with Persian and later European themes and styles. The arts of this period reflect a synthesis of foreign influences and indigenous flavour, said Director Nomad, Nageen Hyat. Pakistani art has a long tradition and history and Pakistani artists are very talented, she added.

She said that it consists of a variety of art forms, including painting, sculpture, miniature, calligraphy, pottery and textile arts.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2022.