Lahore Chitrkar status as of 2010

We are presently housed in a rented premesis which needs to be vacated by January 1st 2010. A meeting of the concerned was held and following decisions were made,

1. The premises will be vacated and ongoing classes in music, art, yoga & dance would be discontinued as of January 1st 2010.
2. The monthly classical music concerts would continue, preferably at Alhamara cultural complex or some other public venue.
3. An extensive summer art, music, yoga & dance program will be offered from June till September, this is when it is viable as we have maximum number of students because of summer vacations. We are looking for a space to hold summer programs.
4. The Art & photographic exhibitions, discussion forums, film shows and lecture/demonstration sessions will be organized at public venues.
5. The children music and art workshops for the low-income schools will be organized at the school premises.
6. We have produced 120 audio recordings of contemporary classical musicians, lectures on music and poetry recitals; plus a 27 hours audio recording of complete epic 'Heer Ranjha' by renowned Punjabi poet Waris Shah, traditional recital by Liaqat Inayat & accompanied on flute by Akmal Qadri. The post-production and release of the Chitrkar recordings will be made possible.

We will be looking for a free space where the summer classes and concerts could be organized; suggestions are welcome.

1. Art Class, 2001-2009

Art making requires a knowledge of tools and techniques of the media of artistic expression, exercises in figure drawing, painting with multiple media and printmaking are part of the curriculum and allow a beginner student to develop a fine art portfolio. Senior practitioners work in a studio environment with the instructor to explore and develop according to their individual need. The three-hour drawing & painting class is conducted by Shahid Mirza. Each session is preceded by discussion on contemporary issues of arts to explore the language of fine arts.

2. Music classes, 2001-2009

Ongoing classical music classes are held twice a week in classical Vocals, Tabla, Bansuri (bamboo Flute), Sitar, Sarangi, Guitar, violin and keyboard by accomplished musicians assisted by a junior musician.

This program provides a learning environment that accommodates traditional norms of teaching of the senior Ustads (traditional name for accomplished musicians) and yet encourages them to develop their curriculum and methods for the contemporary student.

The music classes focus on developing a student's ability to render Raags (traditional system for compositions) understanding the "Taals" ( traditional beats system ) and learning to play as a solo performer as well as for playing in accompaniment with musicians.

3. Dance & Yoga classes, 2005-2009

Internationally acclaimed Kathak dancer Nahid Siddiqui started Kathak dance classes in 2005 and Yoga class in January 2009. The dance and yoga classes are held twice a week and accommodates both beginners and advance students of dance and yoga.

4. Monthly classical music concerts

Monthly classical music concerts have established Lahore Chitrkar as a credible venue for serious classical music performances. These concerts provide an opportunity both for the senior and young classical vocalists and instrumentalists who have limited platforms for performance and the audience who rarely get to listen to live performances by classical musicians (videos of concerts). Concerts are arranged regularly to accommodate visiting artists from Pakistan and abroad. Live recordings are made and are available for listening/free download.

5. Recording studio

Lahore Chitrkar has produced more than 137 recording based on contemporary vocal & instrumental music, contemporary and classical Punjabi literature and lectures on history & practice of music. A 26 hour recording of complete 'Heer' by Waris Shah is ready for release. We are producing audio material based on the classical poetry and folk tales of Punjab. Unfortunately, majority of the population is illiterate and the script for Punjabi language is different in both Punjab's, Shahmukhi in Pakistan and Gurmukhi in India, we believe that the audio material can bypass the impediment as it transcends the problems of literacy and script, it ensures that the important and appropriate message is communicated.

6. Children Art Programs

The Chitrkar society has made art activity for children a part of its program since its inception. The Lahore Chitrkar Studio and Gallery, has held regular art workshops for children, Children from the neighborhood are encouraged to participate in the workshops as well as a wide group from around town. A variety of art, music and theater activities are conducted with the children. Expenses for the program are met from donations and registration fee charged from students who can afford to pay.
Lahore Chitrkar conducted an art workshop with the students of Lahore School of Economics, Lahore with 150 students participating and another with the students of Springdale High School, Amritsar, India with 350 students.
Presently we are working on a year long program of art, music and theatre with one selected girls and boys primary schools, Qasimpura, Lahore in the vicinity of Chitrkar. Quarterly art workshops are being conducted, the stress of the program is to impart real skills that can be used for both artistic expression and help in acquiring facility in productive applied arts. The workshops seek to link art with the everyday concerns of their lives and help in a developed learning and interaction with their surroundings.

Three weeks summer workshops for children are held each year.

7. Films/Slide Shows & Discussions

Slide show, documentary films and lecture/demonstrations are a regular happening at Chitrkar. The gallery screens documentary films and organizes discussion sessions about music and arts regularly. A weekly forum for discussion on philosophical issues 'Socrates cafe' was stared in May 2009.

8. Exhibitions

Photography and painting exhibitions are a regular feature of Chitrkar activities. Annual exhibition by the painting class students is held at the Lahore Chitrkar gallery.

Complete list of events