Rao Dilshad Hussain

Miniature painting, calligraphy and naqashi are the arts of the land. For years they remained ignored by the state institutions that were meant to promote them as part of our heritage. These arts continued to be practiced and taught privately by artists privately. In year 2003 industrialist and philanthropist Syed Babar Ali established Naqsh School of Arts in the heart of Lahore’s historic walled city. Students here are taught the art of miniature painting, calligraphy and naqashi.

Naqsh School of Arts holds three-year diploma course in fine arts and graphics. Recently first convocation of the Naqsh School of Arts was held in which diplomas and medals were awarded to 50 students. Four batches of students have passed out. Syed Babar Ali (the founder of the school) handed over the medals and diplomas to students of the four batches during the convocation.

The programme started with the recitation of Holy Quran. Afzhan Ejaz and Nagina Hameed gave a briefing about school’s achievements. Principal Muhammad Omer Masood and chief guest Syed Babar Ali appreciated the services of Mehboob Hasan Rumi.

Living legend and former principal of the Naqsh School of Arts Mehmood Hasan Rumi inaugurated ‘Rumi library’ in which he donated 75 percent of his collection of the books regarding history, art and culture would be accessible for the school’s students.

Talking to Sunday Plus Muhamad Omer Masood said the basic objective of holding the convocation was to discuss and analyse the situation as to where the school stands today since it was started. “The school has its own latest equipment and computer laboratory. We wanted to award the students medals and diplomas for their hard work and dedication. Also we wanted to pay tribute to the veteran artist and teacher Mehboob Hasan Rumi. He will continue to deliver lectures on illustration and anatomy drawings,” he said.

“Advisory board of the school comprises on NCA’s graduates, teachers of the Punjab University, the heads of the BNU and NCA, renowned artistes and teachers including Salima Hashmi, Ustad Bashir, Dr Ajaz Anwer Mehboob Hasan Rumi, and professor Sajjad Kowser and Kamil Khan while Syed Babar Ali heads this board. The advisory board decides after analysing the working of the students that who has the right to get gold and other medals as well.

“The basic objective of the school is to preserve the traditional art and culture. The three main historic art and design forms taught here are miniature painting, naqaashi and calligraphy. It provides a three-year diploma course in traditional and modern art. Many students are enrolled every year while school charges minor dues. However, Naqsh is grappling constantly to enhance the facilities regarding all courses and ultimately to imbue in its students an artistic sensibility that seeks to fuse traditional arts and aesthetics with those compatible with the modern world.

“Naqsh wants to revive the artwork of Mughal Empire that has lost its expression in our modern times. It is the architectural ornamentation in terms of naqashi and miniature illustration.

“Naqsh held a survey of many historical buildings of the Mughals. The school of art is trying to reproduce the art in its actual shape and colour.

“Naqsh is going to establish a centre where senior teachers and artists will come to deliver lectures regarding illustration and other forms of fine arts,” Principal Masood explained.

Both Amir Ghouri and Shibli Munir respectively shared silver medals while Abdul Razzaq received bronze medal. Students of the second batch Noshi Ejaz was given gold medal. Afshan Ejaz and Kinza Saleem had obtained silver while Rubab Aslam (head of the miniature art section) and Waris Ali received bronze medals.

Among the third batch’s students Asma Javed received gold medal while Adeela and Imran Malik respectively gained silver and bronze medals. The students of the fourth batch like Syed Muddasar Ali Kazmi won the gold while Amber Naz and Farooq Ishaque had got silver and bronze medals.

Naqsh School of Arts is an institution that has rendered its services by reviving the interest of the people in the art of the land that had almost disappeared.