Visiting history: Photographers praise guided tour of the Walled City

WCLA holds walk from Bhati Gate to the Lahore Fort

LAHORE:

More than 1,000 people participated in the Walled City of Lahore Authority’s (WCLA) second photo walk of the year.

The walk that started from Bhati Gate covered several important buildings, including the houses where Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Noor Jehan and Sir Ganga Ram had lived, the Oonchi Masjid, the Sheesh Mehal ghati and Fakir Khana Museum.

“It was great to see that residents of the old city did not mind our visiting their homes and taking photographs,” said Will Ramsey, a musician from South Africa. “I would not have had the confidence to venture into the area [had the WCLA not arranged the walk],” he said.

Ramsey said it was good to see people working in the streets. “I came across a baker and a shoemaker.” He said guidance provided to the participants was an added convenience.

“Such vast information is not available if you visit the area by yourself,” said Zohra Muneer, an artist. She said her work was largely about cityscapes. “I come here quite often. I have always found the people here very helpful,” she said.

The participants toured several havelis. The walk concluded at Lahore Fort where the participants were offered refreshments and treated to a performance by a drummer.

The WCLA arranges four walks every year. No fee is charged for participation in the walks that provide an opportunity to photograph the Walled City for the Wekh Lahore photography contest that is held at the end of each year.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2015.