KARACHI, May 8: Art lovers and bibliophiles had a whale of a time at the so-called “Koocha-i-Saqafat” organized by the Arts Council of Pakistan in collaboration with the Sindh government on M.R. Kayani Road on Sunday. A couple of weeks back, the Sindh governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad, gave the go-ahead to the Arts Council to hold the first function of Koocha-i-Saqafat. He promised that the expenses of the cultural event would be met by the Sindh government.

The road on which Koocha-i-Saqafat was held was divided into three parts. Those who came from the Arts Council roundabout first entered the art centre where paintings, specimen of calligraphy and sculptures were on display.

“We have not been able to sell as many paintings as we would have liked to, but at least art lovers came here, admired our works and, above all, talked to us about our art. Those artists among us who do not find space on the walls of art galleries were overjoyed because Koocha-i-Saqafat afforded us an opportunity to display our artworks,” a calligraphist said.

Artist Abdul Karim Solangi put on display his artworks – which were not on sale, by the way – in which he depicted everyday life in the rural hinterland of Sindh.

The second section of Koocha-i-Saqafat comprised a book bazaar where a few booksellers offered huge discounts – up to 33 per cent – on sale of new books. Second-hand books were also available.

“I have wanted to purchase the Story of Civilization by Will Durant for quite some time. It is available here in 11 volumes, but even the second-hand set is prohibitively expensive,” a visitor said, wistfully.

Furniture-makers and artisans sold their wares at the third section of Koocha-i-Saqafat. Foodstuffs were also on sale.

A visitor to Koocha-i-Saqafat told Dawn she liked it very much, adding that because the cultural event was held on a road she did not feel claustrophobic. She said books for children were reasonably priced.

The chairman of the Arts Council’s Koocha-i-Saqafat committee, Saifur Rahman Grami, said the cultural event gave the lie to the belief that books were not read anymore and interest in the fine arts had flagged. He added that the Arts Council governing body was heartened by the overwhelming response of those who visited Koocha-i-Saqafat on Sunday and admired it.