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 (Urdu: اعجاز انور; born 1946) is a famous Pakistani painter. He is well-known for his beautiful watercolour paintings. His art often shows the grand old buildings and busy cultural life of Lahore, a historic city.
Ajaz Anwar was a top student at Punjab University, where he earned a gold medal. He later taught art at the National College of Arts in Lahore.
Contents
Meet Ajaz Anwar
Early Life and Education
Ajaz Anwar was born in Ludhiana in 1946. His father was a cartoonist, which likely sparked Ajaz's interest in art from a young age.
He studied Fine Arts at Punjab University in Lahore, earning his M.A. and a gold medal in 1967. Later, he went to Turkey and completed his Ph.D. in Muslim architecture in 1978. He also took a course on how to protect cultural treasures at UNESCO in Rome in 1977.
A Teacher and Professor
Ajaz Anwar started teaching in 1972. He became a professor and the director of the Art Gallery at the National College of Arts (NCA) in Lahore. He has shared his knowledge and passion for art with many students over the years.
Painting Old Lahore
Capturing History on Canvas
The old buildings of Lahore are the main focus of Ajaz Anwar's paintings. He tries to save these buildings in his art. Many of them are being replaced by new buildings or are slowly falling apart.
He paints the old homes of everyday people in Lahore, not just famous historical sites. He uses bright, lively colours to make these buildings seem alive on his canvas.
Why Buildings are Important
Ajaz Anwar once said, "In my paintings, I show the parts of Lahore that must be saved." He removes tall, modern buildings from his art. Instead, he adds traditional horse-drawn carriages (tongas) and sweet shops.
He believes that buildings, once destroyed, are lost forever. This is why they are so important in his art.
People in His Art
Everyday Life in Lahore
Even though buildings are the main subject, people are also important in Ajaz Anwar's paintings. They help show normal life happening around the buildings.
The people in his art don't have clear faces. But they represent the common people you might see in the busy markets of Lahore or Punjab. You might see a tonga driver, women walking, children playing, or sellers of all kinds.
Kites in the Sky
Kites are almost always seen in Ajaz Anwar's paintings. If he paints common homes or buildings, you'll often see a kite lover on a rooftop. And the sky above is usually filled with many colourful kites.
Small Details, Big Stories
If you look closely at his paintings, you'll find many small details. You might see a woman peeking from a window or a rooster looking for food in the garbage. These details add to the story of daily life in his art.
Awards and Efforts
Ajaz Anwar received the President's "Pride of Performance in Painting" award in 1997. This is a big honour in Pakistan.
He also leads the Lahore Conservation Society. He works hard to protect Lahore's heritage and keep the city as it was. He has spoken out to the BBC about changes that don't fit with the city's original look.
Exhibitions
Ajaz Anwar's paintings have been shown in many cities around the world, including:
