Mughal lifestyle revisited

Karachi

When it comes to history, many South Asians take pride in boasting about the cultural heritage gifted by the Mughals.

Keeping this spirit alive, artist Marium Saeedullah Khan exhibited her paintings depicting the Mughal life at the Clifton Art Gallery.

Although the era during which the monarchy held power is also criticised by historians, the contribution of Mughals in arts and architecture is undeniable.

Khan, who has painted Mughals by showing their lives as the royalty had a field day during their hunting trips or when they had the leisure of enjoying music, has worked on a textured surface of a smaller scale. 

It was interesting to notice that a painting also showed Mughal princesses hunting alongside their male royalty, while in another painting the emperor played for the empresses.

She also paints birds and galloping horses with Mughal landscape.

Speaking about her work, Khan said she was indeed inspired by the grandeur of the Mughals: “I love painting Mughals and I have been trying to do miniature paintings because it’s our national heritage. They were beautiful and they wore wonderful clothes, jewellery. I am also fond of elephants and a child I used to ride them,” she explained.

However, unlike those who sigh with nostalgia, Khan feels that time has to go forward and doesn’t have a sense of loss.

Tapu Javeri, who was also present at the exhibit of his aunt’s artworks, said that she was undoubtedly a true legend. 

“She was one of the foremost painters in the country who took up melusive painting. She was trained in Japan and she adapted the style to Mughal art.”

He added that although his aunt did fine work on Mughals and he loved appreciating it, he wasn’t as inspired and preferred modern art over this.

Inaugurated by noted art critic Marjorie Hussain, the exhibition continued till Saturday.