LAHORE: An evening dedicated to iconic miniaturist Ustad Bashir Ahmed attracted a large audience from visual art community at Ejaz Gallery on Saturday.

The event was held to celebrate the President’s Pride of Performance recently conferred upon the artist. The gallery was adorned with fresh as well as artificial flowers and illuminations.

The speakers, including his contemporaries, friends, colleagues and students of Ustad Bashir, shared their views of him with the audience.

Gallery director Muhammad Ramzan said he was fortunate to be holding the evening for Ustad Bashir, an icon of miniature painting.

Jamal Shah, the director general of the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA), shared memories of the National College of Arts (NCA) when he had first interaction with Ustad Bashir Ahmed as a second year student when he came to teach the class Shah was attending. He said Ustad Bashir had a huge contribution to the field of miniature and one could not find as big an artist in miniature as him.

NCA Principal Murtaza Jafri said Ustad Bashir had a huge contribution to the National College of Arts. He said the NCA would come up with a publication on career and works of the Ustad who had countless students and who had earned a name for the NCA through his art.

Dr Rahat Naveed Masood also had the same feelings to share as she said Ustad Bashir had a unique place and stature in his field.

Institute of Art and Culture Principal Sajida Vandal said Ustad Bashir said Ustad Bashir stood on a higher pedestal in the field of traditional art.

A number of visual artists, faculty of different art institutions, students and other guests attended the evening.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2019