Karavan Heritage Mural - Lahore Canvas
Shahi Qila Mural Painting EventThe Shahi Qila Mural Painting Event which was part of the Shahi Qila Heritage Fest was the starting point of the KaravanPakistan Heritage Mural Painting Event
Young students from different schools of Lahore indulged in viewing the Badshahi Mosque and the Shahi Qila from the perspective of art and creativity hence giving birth to a colourful and vibrant perspective on the heritage sites of present day Pakistan.
The primary objective of the Mural Painting activity in Lahore, as elsewhere, was for the future generation to get familiar with Pakistan's heritage and to enhance their sense of belonging with their country. The beauty and defined architecture of these historical buildings portray a culture rich in art, aesthetics and successful administration which allows an individual to develop a sense of spiritual and peaceful awareness through the surroundings.
Pakistan's heritage provides hope for the present and future generations to feel pride for their nation and to be a proud Pakistani. The Mughal Emperors of the sub continent have bequeathed a unique legacy unsurpassed and unparalelled in the history of mankind. Amongst the forts, palaces, mausoleums and mosques built by the Mughals the most memorable are the Agra Fort and its counterpart in present day Pakistan, the Shahi Qila. The construction of the citadel was taken up in earnest by Akbar perching it on high ground, on the banks of a branch of the river Ravi that commanded an all-encompassing view of the Walled City lying below.
The citadel is divided into different sections, each creating its own world within its quadrangle. The main sections of the Shahi Qila are the Diwaan-e-Aam Quadrangle ,the Moti Masjid Quadrangle, Jahangir's Quandrangle, ShahJahan's Quandrangle, Paien Bagh and Khilwat Khana Quadrangle and the Shahburj Quadrangle.
Built by the last of Great Moghuls, Aurangzeb, the Badshahi Mosque is among the largest mosques in the world and sports almost 145' tall minarets, assuring the mosque's visibility from great distances. The whole masjid is placed on a raised platform, in the tradition of mosques built during Shahjahan’s period, lending an immense scale to the monument. Today tastefully lit up at night, it presents a mystical appearance of deep alcoves and bulbous white domes allowing 60,000 worshippers to pray at any one time.
The breathtaking grandeur of the Shahi Qila was enhanced on colorful murals painted by young students bringing the awe inspiring citadel back to life with vibrant splashes of colors and a vivid imagination evoking a sense of belonging within the new generation and a respect for their nation's heritage.
The Shahi Qila was beautified and its existence was given a new and energetic meaning from the perspective of the young artists. The arches of the building were defined with strong, curved lines giving it depth with dark colours. Texture was added on the brick walls with strong tones of earth shades, and form combined with colour brought back life to the monument.
Men and women painted in elegant attire portrayed prosperity, and good living. The bond and love shared between a mother and a child was enhanced on one of the murals of the Shahi Qila and the figures of men as warriors were painted as forms of protection and strength. Bright coloured kites, the blue skies, beautiful flowers created in the paintings depict hope and freedom. The grace and exoticness of a painted peacock signifies the royalty that once existed at the Shahi Qila. Similarly, murals of the Badshahi Mosque are rich with delicate motifs of petals and leaves and Moghul miniatures that were carved through the imagination of a child and made vivid on canvas. The portrayal of birds around the dome of the Badshahi Mosque is a reminder of peace and spirituality which the young artists felt within themselves amidst the surroundings.
Our present and future generation are our pride and it is through the creativity and efforts of these young individuals that the cultural heritage of Pakistan can be restored and preserved to eventually create a truly Cultural Pakistan.