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PIONEER PAKISTANI ARTIST RAZIA FEROZE – EXPERIMENTATIONS EVERYWHERE

PIONEER PAKISTANI ARTIST RAZIA FEROZE
EXPERIMENTATIONS EVERYWHERE

Fairy tales Pakistani Style in Urdu

Razia Feroze the artist
Razia Feroze the artist

The quest for giving the Identity to Pakistan was taken by the artists. These were the people who knew that the Identity of Pakistan mattered and it had to be projected on all fronts. Razia Sirajuddin was doing this in a very big way. Unfortunately we have not come across some of her publications. A relative seems reluctant to share her with us in any way. The matter rests. In any case we came across a book by Razia Feroze with an introduction by M.A. Rahman Chughtai in 1954. It is a small publication published by the Bible Society Lahore, but it is a historical document in all ways. It is worthy of being shared with others.

 

Urdu fairy tale
Urdu fairy tale
Foreword Chughtai Artist 1954
Foreword Chughtai Artist 1954
Girl in Dupatta and dwarfs
Girl in Dupatta and dwarfs
Pakistani sisters
Pakistani sisters

Razia Feroze was born in Shahpur Punjab in 1925, and when she was two only, her father Dr Ferozeuddin brought her to Lahore. Reared in Lahore, studying at Convent Jesus and Mary and then at Kinnaird College, she achieved excellence in many fields. The inspiration of her life was her father Dr Ferozeuddin, who unlike the greedy doctor of today, used to be so kind to his patients and used to treat many of them free of cost. This compassion was inherent in Razia herself all her life. She evolved a good friendly relation with M.A. Rahman Chughtai who encouraged her all his life. The foreword proves this in all ways. The Americans offered her a scholarship to study and lecture in the United States.

Harvest by Razia Feroze
Harvest by Razia Feroze

The quest for doing this kind of job, was in the hearts and minds of many people. It was a poverty stricken Pakistan and whatever one could do, one did. We salute Miss Razia Feroze for her many ventures. She was doing painting, sculpture and even nude studies. But that is a separate blog in itself.

MARK SAGOFF’S HUMANISTIC PUBLIC POLICY – ISLAMIC LAWS OF HUMANITY – CAN CLASH OF CIVILIZATION BE AVERTED?

MARK SAGOFF’S HUMANISTIC PUBLIC POLICY
ISLAMIC LAWS OF HUMANITY
CAN CLASH OF CIVILIZATION BE AVERTED?

Mark Sagoff
Mark Sagoff

Many people mean good and we cannot doubt their good intentions. However much good we perceive is man made and Allah has own laws as stated to us in the Quran Hakeem. Is modern thinking compatible with Divine permanent laws as given by Allah? Obviously this analysis must be made.

Mark Sagoff is a wonderful human being and he is addressing these issues from an intellectual frame of mind. For instance he deals with the following issues for us:

When is the decision to go to war justified?
To what extent should society regulate the choices people make, for their own good?
What does ‘environmental protection’ mean beyond a concern with human health, safety and welfare?
What obligations do we have to future generations?
What is a fair distribution of limited resources in regard to health care?

1. The decision to go to war.

I do not know Sagoff’ final view on the matter. But Allah has definitely spelt JEHAD for us? The word is so much abused in international terms that the beauty of it is lost in prejudice. From times immemorial Heroes have waged wars against injustice. For example take an American example itself. The American Texas Ranger namely Lone Ranger galloping all over the West, correcting wrongs where ever they occur to help humanity. The same thing applies to the Islamic Nation to correct wrongs and diversions from humanity, wherever they may occur. Never it is said Wars are necessary for economic exploitation of other nations and the grabbing of National Resources. So Lone Ranger’s Hi Yo Silver away can be an easy replacement for Allah o Akbar itself, proclamation of the greatness of Allah in promoting a good cause for humanity.

2. Regulation of people’s choices.

Freedom is a situation much admired by Allah. Allah’s benevolence can be judged from the fact that he has allowed man the capacity to even rebel against HIS own injunctions. One can imagine the respect for concept of freedom that there are no JAIL TERMS in Islamic reference. Punishments yes, jail never. A much loved and cherished ideal, that is freedom. Everybody is free to do anything that they like but within some constraints. And the principles of these restraints is simple, as not to break the heart of anyone or indulge in hurting the sentiments of others. The printing of Cartoons of the Prophet (BPBUJH) by Charlie Hebdo is absolutely wrong in name of much trumpeted freedom of expression, but the assassination of the group is also totally wrong and we hardly know who actually did it and why? To bring bad name to a community whose way of life starts with the name PEACE itself.

Butterfly paradise
Butterfly paradise

3. Environmental protection.

To preserve Planet Earth as it was a million years ago is not the ideal of anyone. To dream of a world in which the essentials of life, like rich supply of air, trees, natural beauty is absent is wrong too. The skyscrapers are no answer nor underground tunnels. The balance is progress but not at cost of deprivation of the beauty of life itself. A flying butterfly cheers us up as nothing else. A world without butterflies would be a matter of great sorrow for us. Porcupines and skunks are ALLAHS creation too, but we cannot increase their population so that we face them at every corner. Here we come across enhancement of scenes and animals for our healthy growth and restraint (not elimination of other unfriendly species). There is no fun in trying to clone a dinosaur again, there is obviously need for research on it. We have to respect other species and the Quran itself asserts the presence of life elsewhere. So the way we envisage ALIENS is our thinking. The real aliens may allude us. But there is no doubt hat we are ASHRAF UL MAQLOOK the ultimate life, as created by Allah through an evolutionary process. As a balance between mind and heart, we are the balanced creation of Allah. The ultimate message of Allah to us is simply this: LIFE IS IMPERFECT, AND THE MISSION OF HUMANKIND IS TO FIGHT AND MAKE IT PERFECT. Or more simply CONQUER NATURE!

4 and 5. Total obligation to future generations.

The personality of Allah
The personality of Allah

Every household in Islamic civilization used to know one thing. Education is the key towards progress. Every mother wanted her children to move forward. So on the microcosm level one thing naturally means same thing required for the whole nation, the whole world. But here the privileage is of the few to harness the labour of many. Communism was a dirty word in American folklore but so do I found the words Socialism having similar connotations. Islamic society is an egalitarian society. Not forceful distribution. The minute a child is born, the State responsible for everything. From medical to education , what not? Once the person grows up and start earning, then he/she repays the society for the privileage given to him or her. No one to be left alone or to the dogs as it is proverbial said in many places. A balanced society where greed is eliminated and replaced by the ability to share things. This is the definition of the religion of the great books, to foster the less privileaged and make the person better. Altruism need of the hour.

I admire Mark Sagoff. He is the son in law of our great American friends. We know they mean well for the world. But for a moment free of prejudice, they can read the Holy Quran once in a while, to understand that Allah truly is Compassionate, Merciful, and Beneficent. We are all human beings on Planet Earth. Where ever we may go, we must carry the message of Peace to Universes everywhere. That is Infinite wisdom of Allah!

THE ENIGMA OF A SULTANATE FIGURINE OF LAHORE

THE ENIGMA OF A SULTANATE FIGURINE OF LAHORE
JESTER, ACROBAT, OR GAME PLAYER

Riddles of life in Lahore

Lahore at play
Lahore at play

A well ten feet down the surface, hidden from sight. A well twenty feet deep carrying secrets of long gone Lahore. Every day Lahore tells us something of its past in a new light. The period authenticated with some Ghaznavid coins lying in the same surface. What does this slim young man is telling us?

Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi founded the city of Mahmudabad. The Muslim city and the Hindu city always stood in dispute, as to the availability of no remnants of the Hindu period from Lahore. Certainly that city was somewhere else. We have already discussed that elsewhere.

In any case with the foundation of the city of MAHMUDABAD, Sultan Mahmud invited people from Ghazni to settle in Lahore. The historian Baihaqi tells us that 200 different professionals came from Ghazni to impart Muslim Culture here and they were so successful in their job. We have discussed that in great detiail at many places.
This latest figurine (discovered from Lahore by someone and in his possession) gives us the face of a very slim young man. He hold certain things in both of his hands. One looks like a hammer or a bat and the the looks like a ball being held in his hand. He wears a pointed conical cap and an upper costume.

Malik Shamas the great expert on Indian Art and Architecture once told me that they have Buddhist Sculpture in which the figurines are shown playing something like CRICKET. AMAZING ISNT IT! Perhaps this figurine is also playing a sort of CRICKET or a BALL GAME. Of course no one can say anything but it excites the imagination beyond control. Viva Lahore!

Lahori player
Lahori player

A FORGOTTEN HANIF RAMAY OF 1954 – AN ASPIRING ARTIST WHO BECAME A POLITICIAN

A FORGOTTEN HANIF RAMAY OF 1954
AN ASPIRING ARTIST WHO BECAME A POLITICIAN

Lohari Gate to Ravi road on a bicycle

Hanif Ramay
Hanif Ramay

My cousin has a great memory. He recalled many visitors to the house of Chughtai Artist. Of many of these, one was Hanif Ramay. From the shop at Lohari Gate, he would take a bicycle to the house of M.A. Rahman Chughtai in a bid to secure his works for a magazine or show him his own works. Obviously the artist encouraged every body and there certainly was potential in the artist. Of the many meaningless artists at work at that time, the artist saw talent in this young man, and my uncle would say that of all the persons working in Calligraphic Art, Hanif Ramay excelled them all. That obviously included even Sadequain the artist.

The artist came to the residence of the artist again on 18th January, 1975, to participate in the Qul ceremony of the artist. But this time he was the Chief Minister and came in official protocol. But he never met me, nor my mother. He met his own comrades who were there to receive him and was whisked away in minutes, and all that he could promise was the acquisition of everything we had, for a generous amount of RS 1000 per month for us. Obviously he forgot that what he was talking about was priceless and the RS 1000 was not even the salary of a Chowkidar even at that time. Thrones confuse people and he was back to normal when the Bhutto government hounded him out of power and sent him to Lohari Gate jail in Lahore. When I went to see Mrs Nusrat Bhutto at the Prime Ministers House in Rawalpindi, she abused him all the time, much to my embarrassment. I was friendly to the American wife of Pervaiz Murad, that is Joyce, and when later she married Hanif Ramay, it was news for me.

Landscape
Landscape

There is no doubt that he was an intellectual of high order and we saw him at the funeral of Ghulam Ahmad Pervaiz again. Well done to him! His brother did call at our house to request Abdur Raheem Chughtai to inaugurate an exhibition of Hanif Ramay at Alhamra. My uncle refused simply for Hanif Ramay as Chief Minister had refused to see him.

There was duality in him which few can understand. He reached both highs and lows at the same time. But he was a nice man and a very good artist. I pray for his soul. May Allah bless him in heaven!

Woman in outline
Woman in outline

ISLAMIC WALL PAINTING – CONTINUATION OF TRADITIONS IN EGYPT

ISLAMIC WALL PAINTING
CONTINUATION OF TRADITIONS IN EGYPT

Village houses decorated with wall paintings

Angels stop sacrifice
Angels stop sacrifice

Adverse propaganda has been spread for so long that we fail to see ground realities. In Egypt in modern times people in villages still decorate their houses with wall paintings. And the themes are all Islamic and related to events in Muslim History. But added are facets of modern times, like cars, foot soldiers, and even aero planes. And this is not upper class practice, nor work of rich people. Just plain villagers , decorating houses of other villagers for petty sums of money.

Haj Ibraheemi
Haj Ibraheemi
Muslim women
Muslim women

The site is so picturesque when you walk into a village and see the walls decorated with so many paintings. It looks amazing indeed for times that do not even know of this practice. Such colour looks like being influenced b the huge frescoes of the Pharaohs in Egypt. But here the subjects are very interesting. Haj issues. Departures and arrivals. Ordinary life in the villages,. Flowers, naqashis etc. All reflect the simple taste of the villagers. No great masterpieces here, just art works for fun and enjoyment.

Warrior of Islam
Warrior of Islam

In Pakistan too the common people have inherited the folk art as expressed on moving trucks. And here the subjects are totally different. Recently I came across trucks with Dr Allama Iqbal on them. Amazing, isn’t it. The Pakistani Ideology directly influencing ordinary people, with no high profile intelligence. Another media is the influx of printed posters of Saints of the region. Where figurative painting is considered as curse by Mullahs, we see abundance of images of Hazrat Ali (blessings be on him), and his sons, along with every conceivable saint of the region. It makes us think figurative art is part and parcel of civilization in general and Muslim civilization in particular. Enjoy our brethren art from Egypt!

Babas
Babas

ART GIMMICKRY IN PAKISTAN – PANDERING TO ISLAMO-PHOBIA

ART GIMMICKRY IN PAKISTAN
PANDERING TO ISLAMO-PHOBIA
Pakistan bashing at its best

All art in Western traditions is based on Art for Religious sake. Hindu Art is also as religious as Buddhist Art. In Islamic civilization the game changed and art became truly Art for Art sake. Obsession with aesthetics alone. The last century brought awakening in Art in general. This is forgotten in this modern era, and the result is chaotic approach to the arts in general and particularly to Art in Pakistan. In fact modern contemporary Art in Pakistan is pure gimmickry aimed at pandering to Pakistani bashing as well as Islamo-phobia of the West.

A perfect gentleman S Amjad Ali
A perfect gentleman S Amjad Ali

Why are Pakistanis willing to submit to the demands of the West? Simply financial reasons. Pakistani bashing sells and sells most when you bash Islam too. Study the works of most modern painters in Pakistan and you find this bashing very clearly. Very important. Mullahs beating their wives, women screaming at acid being thrown on their faces, bigots rejoicing in heaven and in modern lore bashing of all those who uphold Islamic traditions. Looks like fun to these people, the ruse of destructive mechanism.

If it is the creativity of our artists, we certainly have no objections to whatever they do in life. But to make works for mere financial reasons and that to bash ourselves is shame of great proportions. This can easily be judged and no arithmetic required for analysis. The real creative Great Masters had something to tell us. In expert craftsmanship, they had a message to their Art too. In words of Dr Allama Iqbal,”What is Art that does not have the striking power of Moses staff?” And who put these artists on the media plain? Critics, again a breed of its own. Most people writing about Art in Pakistan know nothing about Art at all.Their sensitivities are totally lacking and one hears them speak of so called great Pakistani Art, it makes us hang down our heads in utter shame too.

Malik Shamas with Stuart Cary Welch
Malik Shamas with Stuart Cary Welch

M.A. Rahman Chughtai and Dr Abdullah Chaghatai were the first writers on Art here. They were followed by Dr Muhammed Din Taseer who started this venture at the request of Chughtai Artist himself. Another critic of great dimensions was Malik Shamas, Curator of Lahore Museum, whose understanding of Art was phenomenal. Colonel Majeed Malik contributed his lot too by introducing two figures in Art writing that is Amjad Ali and Jalaluddin Ahmad. Dr Muhammed Baqir obviously knew his job well. Shafi Aqeel and Marjorie Hussain were and are two equally good writers in Art here.

There we read then are a host of people writing on Art. Some are just plain ignorant, others are writing on the behest of foreign lobbies, making mountains of dirt in Art here. Gimmick Artists with gimmick critics hand in hand. In a sweep destroying the Ideology of Pakistan. Bashing our roots and our innovations all at the same time. After the death of M.A. Rahman Chughtai on 17th January, 1975, Dr Akbar Naqvi of Liverpool personally attacked the artist in many of his writings, particularly in Dawn Magazine. He even had objections to our gifting of books to friends and critics in a malignant tone. We kept quite. We hear from a Karachi resident that Dr Akbar Naqvi regrets his utterances these days., Who knows? Even in his book he accuses the artist of many things which he does not even know at all. What can we say? The stature of Chughtai cannot be upset by puerile accusations. We wish Dr Akbar Naqvi the best in his life. As he is from Liverpool, we hope he writes something on the history of the group BEATLES. It would be worthy addition to world knowledge.

Obviously Art Gimmickry is always short lived and will die its eventual death. A thing of Beauty is a joy forever and we know that well.

Marjorie Hussain
Marjorie Hussain

ANALYZING MODERN PAKISTANI ART – IN PURELY OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS AND DESCRIPTION

ANALYZING MODERN PAKISTANI ART
IN PURELY OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS AND DESCRIPTION

Why is what and what is why?

There was a time when Pakistanis attempted to understand Art. Obviously aesthetics were never built up here, so that even that analysis was mundane. But then a new wave of Art started in Pakistan in the 1950s and was dubbed as Modern Art. That Abstract Art of Picasso genre is itself outdated and today Pakistani artists are experimenting with new ideas and new insights. We will refrain from expressing opinions here. We like to do an objective analysis of Art works for those who cannot read anything in Art works.

We have selected a painting and it is here for everyone to see and ponder its contents. We will refrain ourselves from the name of the work or the artist for that does not matter in our analysis. Suffice that the work is burnt char of newspapers and magazines and finished with paint to give an insight into the message of the artist. The material is certainly not of long life and will dissipate sooner than the idea itself of the work. The materials cannot be preserved for a longtime in any scientific analysis. So it is time limited to these times only.

The work shows a chair made of this burnt waste paper. It has lions in its arms and paws on its feet. In the upper side it has the crown of some Sultan of the past. It is the chair or rather the throne of some Sultan and reflects the Ideology of Pakistan. In the center is an aluminum pot reserve for crap for elderly citizens. People dying or on the verge of death who cannot cross into the active toilet of the house or place. In fact the whole colour of the chair throne is like Crap itself. Now what does it all mean?

Modern Vision of Pakistani Art
Modern Vision of Pakistani Art

In very simple objective terms, it means that the Ideology of Pakistan or that our past is dead or dying and all of it is plain crap. One can call it a brilliant way of bashing our own selves, but obviously the artist does not relate himself to this place. Is this self criticism then! Plainly it is meant for foreign audiences who would give anything to see Pakistanis bashing their own country.

We have no objections in anyone making anything. It is a free country. But freedom does not mean freedom from analysis. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Crap lies in the eyes of none.

P.S.
I am grateful to the gentleman who provided this image to me and asked for my comments, purely on objective basis.

MASJID WAZEER KHAN – BUT THIS ONE IS IN MULTAN

MASJID WAZEER KHAN
BUT THIS ONE IS IN MULTAN

1650 PROBABLE DATE SUGGESTS MUGHAL LINKS

Masjid Wazeer Khan Multan
Masjid Wazeer Khan Multan

The name Wazeer Khan occurs many times in history. But the famous Wazeer Khan is the Governor of Punjab under Emperor Shah Jahan. And this man constructed a lot of buildings in Lahore. There are at least three to four mosques associated with him in Lahore alone, including the famous Wazeer Khan Mosque Inside Delhi Gate, Lahore. However in Multan, near a Mohalla known as Kotla Tolay Khan (actually a ferry crossing of the river) there exists another mosque after the name of Wazeer Khan, reputed to be constructed in 1650. But the famous Nawab Wazeer Khan died in Agra, in 1641, after falling from his horse, due to ill health. Putting two and two together can only be a matter of conjecture.

No inscriptions on the mosque and the same constructed again and again, so that except for the grand dome in the centre, nothing of the old remains. There is even an older tomb of a saint next to the mosque and could provide clues to same. But even there the clue is missing. No names, no written things. Nothing at all. However this tomb is below the construction level of the mosque and is even older.

There is hardly any tradition in Pakistan of research or search for clues for such things. a detailed survey can be made and things dug for conclusions. But all over Pakistan, there is apathy. Some diligent people will continue work on such issues on their own.

Wazeer Khan was Governor of Punjab and could very well have made this mosque in Multan during his tenure. The present record is that:

A large Mughal dome
A large Mughal dome

“Nothing is known about Wazir Khan after whom this mosque has been named. The entire Mohalla is populated by Gandapur Pathans who hail from Dera Ismail Khan. Mr. Malik Kamran Gandapur is the present mutwalli of the mosque and he bears all expenses on its maintenance. According to him, his family has been holding charge of this mosque for last 125 years. But the mosque is certainly older than 125 years. Tradition ascribes it to have been constructed about the year 1650. “

The period 125 years is of interest. Simply for this is the same period when the chaos of Mutawalliship of the Masjid Wazeer Khan Lahore was gong into dispute.

As far as Tolay Khan is concerned, it may interest people to know that the only Tolay Khan (1192-1232) we hear and is famous is the son of Changez Khan and father of both Kublai Khan as well as Halaku Khan. Is there any reason to believe that this Kotla is named for some reasons after Tolay Khan father of Halaku Khan. One can research further in this field. But there is connection with amir Timur here which cannot be denied by anyone and the Chaghatai are linked to this site too. In fact tradition ascribes the Sawai masjid in Multan to the Tughlaqs period and even that is subject to conjecture. In fact the site of all this may be as old as Halaku Khan. Check!

Tolui Khan
Tolui Khan

In the thirteenth century Multan was invaded by the Mongols many times. The Mongols massacred a large portion of the population of the city. The extent to which the Punjab suffered as a result of Mongol attacks from 13th century onward can be reckoned from the following events:

1. In 1221 AD some of Changez Khan’s forces crossed the Indus in pursuit of Jalaluddin Khwarizm Shah, ravaged vast tracts of the Punjab and sacked Multan and Lahore. (At this time Naseeruddin Qabacha was the independent ruler of Multan).

2. In 1241 AD during the reign of Iltutmish’s daughter, Razia Sultana, Mongols attacked the Punjab, sacked and burnt Lahore.

3. In 1246 AD Mongols attacked the Punjab and invested Multan.

In 1222 the Mongols attacked Nasiruddin Qabacha and beseeched Multan for 40 days. Outside the walls of Multan Fort. perhaps they were encamped at Kotla Tolay Khan.This repeated attacks on Multan signify their interest in the place. Perhaps Multan remembered this portion as the
legacy of the Mongols. Research is not merely shifting facts but bold analysis.

THE RE-EMERGENCE OF RUSSIA

THE RE-EMERGENCE OF RUSSIA
EFFECIENCY OF NEW SYSTEMS
ALLAH’S LAWS ARE EVER BINDING

vladimir-putin-riding-bear
vladimir-putin-riding-bear

Most of us worship the Quran as an Idol. Few venture to read it. Even fewer go to the trouble of reading its translation. And most of the translations

are outdated in time. As knowledge evolves, understanding of the Quran becomes more and more of newer revelation. The decline of Muslim Civilization
is due to our distance from the teachings of Allah. The laws of Allah are ever binding on humankind. And one thing Allah promises again and again is
that no SYSTEM other than ordained by Allah will meet the test of time. Obviously a reprieve is given for us to CORRECT our paths, but the LAW OF
MUKAFAT is ever true.

Vladimir Putin riding eagle
Vladimir Putin riding eagle

Most is the systems in the world are challenging the Laws of Allah. Systems abroad are yes targets of our insight but we here in Pakistan are also
oblivious of the system of Allah. Communism and Capitalism were two extremes an we tried to evolve a MIXED ECONOMY system. That is what
happened in USSR too. Forceful division was not based on Allah’s systems. Communism collapsed due to he tyrannical nature in it. But all that was said
was not against the will of Allah. Yes diffusion of National Wealth for benefit of humankind was a good goal but not by force. It was based on the will of
the people and the hard work of people aspiring for more.

General Raheel Sharif
General Raheel Sharif

The much hyped Democracy as faltered all over the world and most people have no illusions of it ever delivering anything, but anarchy, and division of
the state in small camps. Democracy does not make the State one. It divides the nation. The upsurge in Russia had to quelled with newer thought.
Vladimir Putin came to the rescue. Like a true Archangel he was able to put Russia back on the power map of the world. All salutes to Putin the warrior
who challenged the existing systems with a dose of their own. Here in Pakistan we need the vision of Vladimir Putin too. Who will accept the challenge?
It could be anybody, but all eyes are on our own General Raheel Sharif to deliver results. The Military had learnt many lessons and one lesson it has
learnt well is to do things in a subtle way not the direct way soldiers are famous for in the past. Like Russia, Pakistan will triumph again!