At a time when mostly artists are into producing commercial art, a National College of Arts graduate has opted differently. Politically motivated, this artist is paying tribute to slain prime minister Benazir Bhutto by producing her portraits.

Why Hira Siddiqui, a 2015 graduate from NCA, is going to put on display Benazir Bhutoo’s portraits while generally political personalities don’t become subject for the artists. “I have many reasons to work on this great personality.

She was the first woman to be elected as a head of any Muslim country and she took a hardline against her tough rivals. My show is a tribute to her struggle as the only female prime minister of Pakistan, her political journey and her martyrdom,” she said.

Ms Siddiqui said she was painting Ms Bhutto’s portraits in different art forms from different art movements such as Art Nouveau, Pop Art, Romanticism,

Semi Abstract, Deco Art and Modern Art. “And in my paintings there is a sarcastic element. It’s like a taunt for a rigid nation who never learn from history and barely fight for themselves, they are okay with everything happening to them and around them”, the artist added. The exhibition is also a comment on women empowerment.

The artist will soon hold an exhibition in Lahore. However, since she is giving final touches to her work, she avoided giving any final date for the show.

The Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture (PILAC), besides holding performing art events such as music evenings, folk singing and small-scale theatre activities by educational institutions, is also into publication of books on Punjabi literature and culture.

The institute has published a number of books and translations on Punjabi culture and heritage. The poetical collection of many Punjabi Sufi poets has also been printed by the institute. A bunch of new books are in the pipeline and will be published by PILAC in the current month. These include an important book ‘Shafqat Tanvir Mirza -- Life and Works’ by Kiran Shujaa. The author has worked profoundly on the life and works of senior journalist who did a great a service to Punjabi language and literature through writings. Another important book that is in the printing process is English translation of Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s poetry collection ‘Nuskha Hai Wafa’ by late Javed Hassan. Two books which have recently been published by the institute are research works. Qisa Kari is a research book on Punjab’s folk tales written by Dr Mian Zafar Maqbool and the other contains research on famous tale of Yousaf Zulekha by Dr Hafeez Ahmed.

PILAC is also holding a grand musical evening with famous singer Suriya Multanikar after Eid where a number of singers, musicians and theatre artists are expected to perform. The evening is being held in connection with Pride of Punjab Award, recently announced by PILAC for the singer.

The Punjab Council of Arts officials under the National Action Plan are staging theatre in schools in all divisions of the province.

The activity is being carried out on a weekly basis, in collaboration with the team of famous children’s play Aink Wala Jin, in different schools. The NAP’s anti-terrorism message is being disseminated through theatre which is a powerful medium of communication. The play so far has been staged in schools of Rawalpindi, Murree, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Lahore. The concluding date of this theatrical journey is Sept 23.

The six-day All Pakistan Music Conference (APMC) will open at the Alhamra Art Center, The Mall, on 19th September.

On the inaugural day, classical dancer Sheema Kirmani will perform and also deliver a lecture on classical dance. On Sept 20, there will be a competition among students for Javed Ahmed Qureshi Trophy. The students will also contest for Ghuzanfar Trophy and medal, Roshan Ara Begum Shield, Syed Wajid Ali Trophy, Jamil Mazhar and Mazari medals the same day.

Amateur artistes will also contest at the inaugural day of the conference for Hayat Ahmed Khan Trophy, besides Ansari, Abdul Aziz, Pervaiz Murad and Ahmed Meraj medals.

On Sept 21, classical gharanas will perform. The Sept 22 evening will be dedicated to folk music, songs, ghazal, kafi and thumri. On Sept 23 there will be only classical singing and on Sept 24, the concluding evening of the conference, there will be prize distribution ceremony along with performances of folk, semi-classical and classical music.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2016