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Chughtai's works at display

LAHORE: An Interesting exhibition of collection of prints of the illustrious artist of the South Asia, Abdur Rehman Chughtai opened here this afternoon at Chughtai Art Gallery. About fifty five in number the prints give an idea of the profundity and richness created by this artist through his brush that mastered the fluid medium of water colours.

A number of prints were illustrative of the poetry of Omar Khayyam, which capture the eye for their artistic rendition. Prominent amongst the display was serenade, ripe mangoes, Laila in wilderness, desert in bloom. Most of the prints, especially the larger ones were a treat to watch as they bring out the fine details of the line and brush of the legendary artist.

The 60 years legacy of this artist still awaits display in a proper museum. However, funded through their own resources, currently a museum is under construction at a place which took 30 years to get it freed from the qabza group. This place was bought by artist Chughtai to construct a museum.

As always the exhibition was informally inaugurated and was hosted by the son of the verteran artist, Arif Rehman Chughtai.

Talking to APP, he said the successive governments have shown least interest in perpetuating the legacy of this great artist. He regretted that despite the fact that they did not receive any financial grant from any government and were making a Chughtai Museum from self-generated funds yet the previous government imposed a tax to the tune of one lakh, twenty five thousand rupees on the under construction museum.

The first phase of the Museum will be completed this year and inaugurated around the birth anniversary of the M A R Chughtai that falls in September. APP