LARKANA: Art lovers thro­n­ged an exhibition, part of Sindhu Vass Heal Festi­val, at Ahuja House here on Friday, which was unconventional in the sense that of 43 artists whose artworks it has put on display, 20 are currently prisoners in Kara­chi central prison.

Ms Anita Pinjani, a scion of Ahuja family, inaugurated the exhibition being held under the auspices of the Sin­dhu Vaas Foundation (SVF). Members of Ahuja family are patrons of the foundation.

So far 130 selected works of art had been kept in the exhibition with price tags, which depicted artistic appro­a­ches in different media that ranged from pencil and pastel to oil and water colours, said Jagdesh Ahuja, organiser of the festival.

The artworks also include maiden works by Niaz Khaskheli who has artistically and intricately woven dry stalks of wheat into a portrait of comrade Sobho Gianchandani and beautiful landscapes.

Ms Susheela Ahuja said while briefing visitors about the artworks that the idea of founding SVF was to work for a democratic and humanist society, free from all forms of discrimination.

The foundation would focus on creating awareness about history, she said, adding they were receiving tremendous response.

Flanked by Munir Naich and Liaquat Panhwar, vice president and general secretary of the foundation respectively, she said the inspector general of Sindh prisons had promised to honour the artists with awards after their paintings were adjudged.

Famous artist and TV playwright Ayoub Gaad said after visiting the exhibition that it was wonderful to see so many paintings and the great response from people. Such events would create awareness among people about art, he said.

Mr Gaad remarked: “Its’ marvelous and thought provoking. Especially the keen interest and the great enthusiasm it has generated among people here who have thronged the exhibition is unprecedented.”

He said that the foundation had set a good precedent and other individuals and organisations that wanted to serve society through art could follow it.

The exhibition would run till Jan 31, said Ms Ahuja.

The festival would also feature other events like career counselling, socio-political and legal awareness sessions to be held in Larkana city and its suburbs, said Dr Vijay Kumar, member of Ahuja family.

Workshop on cultural diversity and comrade Sobho memorial poetic session would also be part of the exhibition, where prominent short story writer Amar Jalil and well-known poet Rubina Abro would be guests at Arts Council on Jan 30.

On the concluding day, a medical camp would be held in Bindi village, the birthplace of comrade Sobho, he said.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2017