Century-old masterpiece wows museum visitors

Ustad Allah Bakhsh portrayed folk tale of Sohni Mahiwal in 1923

LAHORE:

It has been a century since the creation of a painting masterpiece based on the beloved folk tale of Sohni Mahiwal by the world-renowned artist Ustad Allah Bakhsh.

Painted in 1923, the artwork is displayed since 1996 at the Alhamra Art Museum in Gaddafi Stadium, and was resorted in 2016 by the CKU Danish Centre of Art and Culture.

The painting captivates the attention and invigorates the imagination of visitors from all walks of life.

In a statement, Alhamra Art Centre Executive Director Muhammad Saleem Sagar said modern artist Allah Bakhsh's artworks continue to be the crown jewel of the art museum.

Young artists eagerly study and draw inspiration from Allah Bakhsh's masterpieces, he noted.

In addition to Sohni Mahiwal, Ustad Allah Bakhsh created a plethora of masterpieces, including Heer Ranjha, Sohni Dharti, Talism-e-Hoshruba, and numerous scenes depicting festivals and rural life in Punjab.

His artwork not only provides visual enjoyment, but also celebrates the cultural heritage, poetic literature and rural life of Punjab.

The artist's prowess is exemplified by the countless artworks he created throughout his career, each one garnering popularity and remaining a treasured attraction for museum visitors to this day.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 12^th, 2023.