Ajaz Anwar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ajaz Anwar
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Ajaz Anwar
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| Born | 1946 (age 78–79) Ludhiana, Punjab Province, British India
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| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Known for | Painting |
Ajaz Anwar (born in 1946) is a famous Pakistani painter. He is known for his beautiful watercolour paintings. His art often shows the old buildings and daily life in Lahore, Pakistan. He earned a gold medal from Punjab University for his Fine Arts degree. Later, he became a teacher at the National College of Arts in Lahore.
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The Life of Ajaz Anwar
Ajaz Anwar was born in Ludhiana in 1946. His father was a cartoonist, who inspired him from a young age. In 1967, he received his M.A. in Fine Arts and a Gold Medal from Punjab University. He then studied Muslim architecture in Turkey, earning his Ph.D. in 1978. In 1977, he also took a course on preserving cultural heritage in Rome.
Since 1972, Ajaz Anwar has been teaching art. He became a professor and director of the Art Gallery at the National College of Arts in Lahore.
Painting Lahore's Old Buildings
The main focus of Ajaz Anwar's paintings is the old buildings of Lahore. He tries to save these buildings in his art. Many of them are being replaced by new ones or are falling apart. He paints not only historical places but also the everyday homes of ordinary people. His use of bright, lively colors makes these buildings seem alive.
People in His Art
While buildings are the main subject, people also appear in his paintings. They show the normal daily life in Lahore and Punjab. The people in his art do not have clear faces. However, they represent common people you might see in the markets. These include Tonga riders, women walking, children playing, and various sellers.
Kites in the Sky
Kites are almost always present in Ajaz Anwar's paintings. He often shows common homes or buildings. On the rooftops, you can usually spot someone flying a kite. The sky above is filled with many colorful kites.
Details in His Paintings
If you look closely, you will find many small details in his artwork. You might see a woman peeking from a window or behind a curtain. A rooster might be searching for food in the garbage. These details add to the feeling of real life.
What Ajaz Anwar Says About His Work
Ajaz Anwar once said, "I highlight the parts of Lahore that must be preserved." He explained that he removes modern skyscrapers from his paintings. Instead, he adds traditional horse-drawn carriages (tongas) and sweet shops.
He also mentioned that human figures are not the main focus of his art. "People are only used to bring these crumbling buildings to life," he said. "People are born and reborn, but these buildings, once destroyed, are lost forever."
In 1997, Ajaz Anwar received the President's "Pride of Performance in Painting" award. This is a very important honor.
Exhibitions Around the World
Ajaz Anwar's paintings have been shown in many cities. These include Lahore, Ankara, Rawalpindi, Istanbul, Rome, Kampala, Chandigarh, Delhi, and London.
Ajaz Anwar also leads the Lahore Conservation Society. He works hard to protect Lahore's heritage and keep the city as it was. He once told BBC that some new changes to old shops were "not in good taste."
