LAHORE: A life-size sculpture of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, made of fiber, was unveiled on the lawns of Alhamra on Wednesday.

Lahore Arts Council Executive Director retired Captain Atta Muhammad Khan said they had installed two sculptures of Allama Iqbal, one on the premises of Alhamra, and the other at Alhamra Cultural Complex, Qaddafi Stadium, but it felt incomplete without the Quaid-i-Azam’s sculpture. He said another Jinnah’s sculpture would be displayed at Alhamra Cultural Complex, Qaddafi Stadium.

He said displaying the sculptures of national heroes was a way to pay tributes to their services for the nation. The executive director said the sculpture was made by Rizwan Haider, a graduate from the National College of Arts in 1998. The statue cost Rs500,000.

The statue of Allama Iqbal at Alhamra was also made by Rizwan. He said the statue could weather the sizzling summer and freezing winters for over 50 years.

The Lahore Arts Council also plans to unveil a literary corner near its café under an ages old banyan tree where traditional cane chairs would be placed around the tree. Intellectuals, writers, painters and artistes will gather at the corner on Thursdays for discussions on art and culture.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2018