ISLAMABAD, March 29: Sound economy create happy societies and this was reflected in the treasure of its arts and all pervasive human happiness, observed the celebrated art critic and painter, Syed Ali Imam, at a dialogue on art.

With his signed painting of a musician hanging in background, the painter spoke with abandon on the role of art in different periods of civilizations, and how men, endowed with creative vision added rich opulence to mankind.

Emphasising the need for corrective measures to put art on the right course, he lamented that the contemporary art scene was in a deplorable state.

The event held at the National Art Gallery on Friday brought together a large number of cultural icons of the capital, including the former PTV Managing Director Aslam Azhar, educationist Prof Khwaja Masud, poets Kishwar Nahid and Ahmad Faraz.

PNCA director-general Raja Changez Sultan called Ali Imam a beacon spearheading everything that had gone well in Pakistan after the 60s, through an inter-disciplinary coordination between different segments of culture, including writers, poets, art critics, sculptures, architecture, theatre and music.

Ali Imam, an acknowledged art historian, said throughout the ages, civilizations had been moulded by men who had the creative faculty to add new dimensions in open surroundings.

He averred pursuit of happiness was the object of art and therefore this creative task involved interaction between civil societies and talented individuals who could dissent and back it up with conviction.

Men of eminence like Faiz carried on this function without being put off by criticism or harassment. Of course, people like Shakir Ali also tried to perform the same function by suggestive imagery but he did not possess the same stature. The artist laid stress on art education at an age between five and 13.

He dismissed the quality of education imparted in art institutions with the statement that their syllabus was ‘absolutely bogus.’

In his view art in Pakistan had only produced third-raters who could not stand amid prominent international creative personalities and called for professionalism in every sphere of art. In this regard Ali Imam called upon art collectors and curators of art galleries to cultivate perception about good art.

Therein lies the value of art critics and journalists who are duty bound to cultivate public taste and not degenerate the value system.

He opined that the important element in building a society at peace with itself was to pursue inter-disciplinary approach in which all segments of creative people joined together to enrich society and channel the energies of younger generation to appreciate classics.

Ali Imam, then related the experience of teaching in London. He observed that art teachers brought copies of pictures of great masters for students to look at and while this was being done music by Strauss and Mozart was played.

This was done to achieve the growth of mind’s eye in young children, and this should be the required thing in Pakistan if we desire to bring human happiness in this country.—Jonaid Iqbal