Voice of A Star!

Being raised in a bucolic town and then landing in a cosmopolitan city at a later stage of my life, I can safely say the overall shift has hugely helped chisel my overall perspective towards life. 

Gilgit is dissimilar to Lahore in a number of ways. While the beauty of Giglit’s mountainous range and pellucid waters of the flowing rivers could leave anyone awe-struck; historic Lahore’s vibrant lifestyle could help you cherish life’s numerous aspects. Topography, people, weather and cultural norms draw a sharp contrast in between both the places and they bear their own respective idiosyncrasies. Where Lahore serves as a cornucopia of opportunities and encourages one to follow the dreams, Gilgit instills the urge into you to explore the world. Nevertheless, both the cities espouse the very idea of making you undergo a whole lot of metamorphosis. 

Fortunately, I hail from a family that has always put education as its forthright priority. However, despite my family’s support, battling deeper issues and non-conforming with the set standards, brought me at the cross-roads on several occasions. May it be moving to another city or getting admission into a liberal Art College of the country or living independently and earning my livelihood via doing something I love (teaching Art); at every point of time, struggle was inevitable. 

Firstly, my bag-pack to Lahore was a big thing to have happened in our family. Despite my parents support, I had come across my relatives whispering and speculating about me joining NCA (National College of Arts). Eyebrows and questions were raised but well I was a quintessential rebel who did not change her stance at any cost. Nothing really changed my rock solid conviction and I continued to embark on the most amazing journey of my life.

NCA - my second home gave me lifetime experiences. Pulling all-nighters with friends for the preparation of a quiz or riding a rickshaw to get to the theater to watch some blockbuster flick, making new friends who cemented the bond by always being there for me or losing my best friend to cancer, scoring straight As in one semester or flunking an exam in the next semester - it was all what kept me growing. 

However, like they say all good things come to an end; after graduation I had to bid farewell to the place I would always cherish. It was not easy and my graduation ceremony came off as a real tear-jerker. Realizing the fact, some of friends were not a part of ceremony either because they weren’t in the country or weren’t in this world; had me reminisced all those years. To be precise, it was somewhat a fusion of joy and sadness.

I find it poignant to see how we have lost Artists like Gul Jee and succumbed to the society’s deteriorating interest in producing artists of his caliber. Lacking Art Museums and insufficient Art galleries in our country is enough of an evidence as to how we are dissuaded to pursue something phenomenally magical. Despite a surge of a good breed of actors and performers, we lack a sufficient amount of talent that could be seen on walls or on canvases.

Picasso and Galileo painted their thoughts and got everyone delved into a mesmerizing world created by them. I, now as an Art teacher, want the current generation to know the significance of transforming the world’s perception merely by coloring their thoughts.

My art exhibitions from time to time and my initiatives in collaboration with NCA that aim to identify and promote the budding talent has left me wanting more - representing Pakistan on the World forum, so to speak. Moreover, promoting Gilgit and Hunza’s culture via depicting them has enabled me to introduce true colors of my home town to the people of Lahore and other cities who have never been there. Seeing them appreciate the wonders of nature in Gilgit, makes me feel I have been successful in putting my point across to everyone that Gilgit is certainly worth a visit, at least once in a lifetime. Similarly, portraying the old city of Lahore and showing it to my friends back home who have not been able to get out of their homes till now, is also an awe-inspiring and smile spreading affair. Wouldn't be wrong if I consider my paint brush as the bridge between two places that is only drawing the hearts closer.

My happiness lies in receiving the phone call from my father after he reads something about my exhibition and him telling me on how proud he feels about his daughter. 

  

All the girls out there who think their dreams are grandiloquent or world is too harsh for a girl to be at her own - think of women going to Mars and running for President of behemoth countries. Think of every single woman who did not swim along the tide but against it and recorded her name in the history.

All the parents out there, hear your inner voice not the ones coming from around. 

Support your daughter unconditionally and see her making you proud!

About the Author: Believes in herself!