A Study of Iqbal's Concept of Aesthetics as Didactic in Sadequain Painting at Lahore Museum

Abstract

Allama Iqbal has written on various academic, literary, social and philosophical topics. He has also made the concept of beauty the subject of his poetry and prose writings. The paintings of prominent painter and artists Sadeqain have an important place in the artistic interpretation of Allama Iqbal's concept of beauty. These paintings are displayed in the Lahore Museum which convey Allama Iqbal's concept of beauty and ideology through visual content and calligraphy. Allama Iqbal was of the view that reality can be expressed and described through beauty. Every beautiful thing is a manifestation of God. According to him, the artist's job is to highlight the hidden beauty scattered in the universe. The paintings made by Sadiqain also explain Allama Iqbal's concept of self. The change of the world is in the hands of human beings. Sadiqain's painting of Bal Jibril's early poems is of extraordinary importance. These highlight the meaning through visual expression and colors. Sadiqain has made these parts of Allama Iqbal's poetry the subject of his painting, in which the problems faced by the human race, the secrets of the universe, the meaning of life, the role of man in the universe, oppression and authority, evolution and survival, and reason and love are included. Sadiqeen's painting describes Allama Iqbal's concept of self in a way that how this concept can be a source of self-realization and human evolution.