RAWALPINDI: An exhibition of work by 35 photographers opened at the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) on Tuesday.

Marvi Memon, the chairperson of the National Assembly standing committee on information, broadcasting and national heritage, accompanied by the artists inaugurated the exhibition.

The group exhibition has been arranged by RAC in collaboration with the Pakistan Salon Group of Photography to promote the work of the lensmen.

As many as 160 photographs have been put on the display to present different moods of society. The work presented common and still life, culture, portrait, landscape and others.

In one of the photographs, the movement of a man filling water in his earthen utensils from a pond in the Thar desert has been captured while another depicted a shepherd and his cattle returning home in the evening.

Some photographs presented the city life as well as old and ancient buildings.

Among the photographers, five were the winners of President’s Award for Pride of Performance, including Aftab Ahmed Khan, M.R. Owaisi, Syed Javaid A. Kazi, Samiur Rehman and Nisar A. Mirza.

The work of six late artists was also included in the exhibition to pay tribute to them. They were Nisar A Mirza, Asad Ali, Mushtaq A. Cheema, Mujahid Awais, Sheikh Riaz Ali and Mian Abdul Majid.

Aftab Ahmed Khan, Chairman Pakistan Salon Group of Photography, told Dawn that he had been working for the last 70 years to promote art and culture in the country.

“Photography is my hobby and I was also taught the art of calligraphy by my father.” He said that he formed the society to promote the talent of photography in the region.

Ms Memon said the artists had depicted the whole country in the exhibition. She said the subject of the photographs was rich.

She said that the promotion of the art and culture was the priority of the PML-N government. Pakistan has a rich culture and the cultural heritage dates back to centuries.

RAC Resident Director Waqar Ahmed said the beauty of the country was in photographs displayed in the exhibition. He said that the work of senior artists provided an opportunity to the young artists to see and improve their work.

The exhibition will remain open till October 25.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2014