The architecture of the buildings surrounding the Pakistan Chowk echoes its socio-cultural history. Once called the educational heart of Karachi the cultural spirit of Pakistan Chowk has been revived a few months ago. And nowadays it has become a hub of art activities. Artist Ahmed Anwar invited me at Pakistan Chowk to experience art and witness the art activities there. While arriving at the venue I came across many artists busy in painting and drawing on their canvases. As the evening approached the chowk became livelier with the arrival of more artists and art lovers.

Artists love the atmosphere and like to do on spot paintings. All over the world artists paint on spot near buildings at the centre of hustle and bustle of the cities.

This activity regularly takes place on Sundays. Artists from across the city came here to experience art in a different environment. And visiting Pakistan Chowk is definitely a diverse experience. Artists display their artworks at a space designated as a gallery for visitors visiting the Chowk. Now artists have a place to work and display their paintings. People not only view their paintings but also purchase their artworks. Here senior and junior artists mingle and discuss their experiences and work in a healthy atmosphere.

I have spent all day there and enjoyed the paintings and atmosphere of the chowk. The active involvement of artists in an art activity and their exposure to other artists over a period of time will help increase their knowledge and skills.

The initiative was taken by the Heritage consultant and architect Marvi Mazhar, which aims to restore this old area of the city through various art activities, including art classes.

Since its rehabilitation a few months ago, the Chowk is slowly becoming a centre for young artists to gather and experiment with art and for people to attend art exhibits. And the place has become a hub for emerging and amateur artists. Now students and youngsters from all over the city including reputed art institutions came here to paint and draw together.

People also enjoyed live painting by the artists and love this practical experience of witnessing a painting appearing on a canvas. Some artists were painting balconies of old buildings and streets while other were busy sketching portrait and cityscape thus a variety of art medium and styles can be seen here.

The new benches have been installed at the chowk are named after some of the country’s heroes, such as Sabeen Mahmud, Perween Rahman, Ardeshir Cowasjee and Bilquis Edhi.

The compound also has an art installation, which was designed by Spanish-German architects Juan Chacón Gragera and David Cardenas Lorenzo. These artistic installations add to the beauty of the chowk as well as to the comfort of the people who can sit underneath them and children can also enjoy playing around it.

There is a massive peepal tree at the centre of the chowk, which serves as a giant shade and now it has been utilized in a very interesting and creative way. The old peepal tree is upgraded with a new marble structure around it to facilitate visitors in enjoying the atmosphere of the chowk and the soothing shade of the tree.

People find solace from the busy city life by visiting the newly restored Pakistan Chowk. The people living in the neighbourhood also started to visit the chowk with their families after it has been revamped and they appreciated this activity and take it as a healthy sign for society. —Nadeem Zuberi