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We all notice the garbage, the pollution and the rundown buildings of Karachi. However, if we pay attention to the facades of some of these nondescript buildings, we will find that a good deal of artistic sensibility is apparent in the wonderful colours that adorn them.
These colours can appear out of nowhere; some times hidden is a section of a bazaar of the humble Neelum Colony, in the ruins of a fine old building in Saddar, or on a small mosque in the Ibrahim Haidri fishing village.
We may never know who chose to paint them that way, but the results add colour and vibrancy to the dynamic city we call Karachi, and are a testament to the artistic sensibilities of its denizens.
Lovely pastel colours blend to give a painting-like look to this wall in Neelum Colony.
A painted wall on an empty plot in Neelum Colony will do any watercolour artist proud.
The bright orange transformer, with its symmetrical winding fins, goes beautifully with the patterned curtain and the blue of the wall below. Clearly, a case of unintended consequences!
Shades of green and asymmetrical stones provide a beautiful backdrop; no wonder, the crows love it.
A colourful boat provides a perfect counter-point to the simple and tastefully painted mosque in the fishing village of Ibrahim Haidri.
The gate of the Abdullah Shah Ghazi shrine in Clifton frames the colourful main building.
Bathed in bright lights, the “*Doh Talwar*” in Clifton adds much charm to the square.
A very mundane apartment building in Saddar looks striking when painted in shades of green and adorned with one colourful window.
Various pastel shades give a tranquil look to this building on M. A. Jinnah road.
This old and decrepit looking building cannot be faulted for the choice of colours.
A beautifully painted apartment building in Saddar. Even the clothes hung in the balconies add to its charm.
Bright is beautiful!
Old building with new colours: A perfect marriage.
Buildings line a street coming off M. A. Jinnah.
A bride in white.
Photos by Vaqar Ahmed.
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Vaqar Ahmed is an engineer turned part-time journalist who likes to hang out at unfashionable places like shrines, railway stations and bus stops.
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Feb 11, 2014 03:56pm
What a treat! Beautiful pictures of my beautiful city.
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Feb 11, 2014 05:51pm
Dear Vaqar Saheb...
It is the ability to locate and appreciate the simple things around us which makes people like your self so special. Really, the [simply] beautiful character of the lovely city of Karachi has so much to be admired, and we owe a huge thanks to you.
Please continue this project further, and I hope you can publish your work. People like you give hope to this lovely city.
Keep it up.
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Feb 11, 2014 06:16pm
Lovely, lovely, lovely Vaqar.
Really loved to see these buildings full of character of one sort or another. I wish the whole of Pakistan community was so caring in looking after their surroundings and beautifying them. Imagine what a tin of carefully selected paint can do to transform what is otherwise a dowdy looking facade.
To a certain extent this takes me back to my time spent working in Rome. What a splendid city it is exuding brilliant old architecture covered in the most unusual selection of facade paints which it appears are purposely let to run down a bit to give that wash out antique and crackled look, yet not looking tired at all. It seems Italians have that natural instinct of using nature to advantage. Even gate pillars covered in moss look splendid in their rustic condition.
Keep it up Karachi.
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Feb 11, 2014 09:05pm
Well, it is a good art to make lemonade out of lemons. Too sad that we have not made any progress in all these years. All the dilapidated buildings and and chaos have not changed much in last 40-50 years. All is so sad that we have to learn to appreciate the squalor. I am not sure what the real intention is behind all these pictures
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Feb 11, 2014 09:08pm
Nice. There is beauty all around, if we look for it.
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Feb 11, 2014 11:14pm
Life goes on, does not matter what goes on around.
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Feb 12, 2014 01:49am
I appreciate your work, however it would be fair with the city if you show some faces of some hard working people besides these objects and some newer buildings or objects too.
Thank you again for your work.
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Feb 12, 2014 03:13am
Dear Vaqar Shaib
So you have an eye to bring out art and creativity out of places and things which look absolutley normal to others. Keep up the good work.
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Feb 12, 2014 03:40am
Beautifully presented
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Feb 12, 2014 01:32pm
Beautifulllll!!!! Karachi is without doubt one of the most colorful cities in the world!!!
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Feb 12, 2014 01:43pm
Wonderful Job. You gave a life to these buildings.
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Feb 14, 2014 08:11am
Because of the high nostalgic "pull" of the article I, an overseas Karachiite, may visit the city, as soon as possible
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