Exhibit celebrates Pakistan's mountain heritage

'Raja Changez Sultan Himalayan Odyssey Award' features works from 32 artists

ISLAMABAD:

The Raja Changez Sultan Himalayan Odyssey Award painting exhibition, showcasing the breathtaking beauty, cultural richness, and environmental significance of Pakistan's mountains opened at the National Art Gallery on Tuesday.

The show, which celebrates the theme of Mountain Heritage, is part of the 14th Pakistan Mountain Festival, organised by Devcom-Pakistan. Raja Changez Sultan was the chief guest at the event, and he presented the award to the winning artist, Beenish Azam. Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) Director General Mohammad Ayub Jamali was the guest of honour, and he distributed certificates among the participating artists.

A total of 32 artists from across Pakistan participated in the exhibition, presenting a diverse array of works that captured the essence of the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush mountain ranges. The event paid homage to Raja Changez Sultan, a legendary artist and poet renowned for his lifelong dedication to documenting the mystique and grandeur of mountain landscapes through his art and literary works.

The participating artists included Agha Shahid, Akmal Hameed, Ambreen Anjum, Areej Batool, Asma Shahid, Attiqa Malik, Beenish Azam, Dr Farrukh Seir, Fadhil Yousafzai, Fatima Afzal, Fatima Ejaz, Fauzia Khan, Hadia Khanam, Hatice Omar, Kanwal Nafees, Kiran Mughal, Maryam Mustafa Mazhary, Niala Abrar, Saba Hameed, Saffia Mughees, Saima Aamir, Saleha Faisal, Shafqat Mehmood, Shahnaz Akram, Shehlla Moazzam, Sidrah Iqbal, Silvat Hijazi and Tasnima Sajid.

The showcased artworks included paintings, mixed media, and digital creations, each narrating a unique story of mountain heritage. The themes ranged from the vibrant culture of mountain communities to the rugged beauty of snow-capped peaks and the environmental threats posed by climate change.

The event also featured brief talks by participating artists and environmentalists who underscored the need to preserve the cultural and natural heritage