A STUDY OF IQBAL'S CONCEPT OF AESTHETICS AS DIDACTIC IN SADEQUAIN PAINTING AT LAHORE MUSEUM

• Published date: 31 December 2021

Introduction

Iqbal emphasis on the theory of beauty and his writing emphasizes on the intellectual change within an individual or among the whole society. This change is interpreted visually through many artists but one of the paintings by Sadequain presents at Lahore Museum communicates Iqbal's ideology through visuals and text (calligraphy). This paper will give comparison of two different expressions of poetry and image and will visually communicate the message for interpreting art and it's didactic for masses.

This paper, on a broader sense is a content analysis of Iqbal's poetry and related artwork for interpreting the hidden reasons and didactics. Sadequain interprets his inspiration and crux of Iqbal's poetry through his calligraphic verses and paintings present at the Lahore Museum, Lahore.

There are different writers and scholars who gave analysis over Iqbal's concepts. Shafique documented the illustrated biography of Iqbal's verses on different theorist and their contribution for the masses for deeper understanding of the Muslim scientists. It was Iqbal's presidential address during the oriental conference held in Lahore in 1923, made reply to various questions regarding the Muslim preference, as a mode of self-expression, on architecture over music and painting. Iqbal further elaborated it by giving the references of Ibn Taimiyah, Ghazzali, Razi and Suharwardi Maqtul who were forerunners of beacon and described the concept of Art and spatial sciences along with philosophy. This revealed the true spirit of our culture and Islam which provided basis for the modern and western culture earlier in 10th CE. Their theories and work that any form interprets through any field of aesthetic must have reasons to serve and bring change for masses.1

Iqbal believed that during the development of his theory of art the reality was revealed through beauty. Every beautiful object has expression and is a manifestation of that divine beauty which envelopes the whole universe. He explained that the function of artist is to reveal that hidden beauty which encompasses the whole universe.2

Iqbal's inspirations: A short address on Iqbals inspiration from the Quran, from the Quran ending with a quotation of a poem from Iqbals Bal-I Jibril, with both in urdu and English. Talk given at the East London Mosque, 1949.3

Morality in love is a dominant part in Iqbal's poetry is an analyses by Shelly. He further explains that great instrument of moral good is the imagination and poetry triggers that imagination. Shelly consider poet as prophet as it gives new dimension to life by transforming his own state into concrete fact.

Poet grasp the deepest reality tend to produce them in others too. According to Iqbal poet must produce this state of mind and if the poet succeeds in doing so, he is accomplishing the task of a prophet.

Iqbal liked the concept of Shelly that a true poet interprets reality and reveals its secrets to humanity.4

Iqbal analysis with the form of arts

Iqbal explains the hidden motive in the poetry of the poet. He rejects the art which may shut man's eye from reality and indulge him in the dreams dragging away him from reality. He takes his own art of poetry and analyze it with other forms of art in comparison to serving it with reasons for the masses.

Dream of Thought

It makes you alien to action

Similar concept is given in his Urdu poetry

Anthem, poetry, politics, books, religion and art

Homes are all single grains in their knot

His conscience is from the khaki servant

Their star is higher than the stars

If you protect yourself, then life itself

If you can't do it, it's all about art and fiction

There has been a disgrace to the nations under the sky

When literature and religion are alien to the self

O people of sight, taste is good, but

He who does not see the reality of the thing, sees it

In the early writings of Iqbal, he admired the connectivity and used the word of intoxicating with reference to the enchanted poetry of Hafiz Shirazy when he was young. But later when Iqbal had this theme of existence of an individual seeing world with an open sight of mind and soul, then he rejected the idea of Hafiz Shirazi of being intoxicated in fantasy world which had no connection with the real life itself.

Iqbal insisted and rejected the art which may shut man's eye from the visual reality and push him towards the sleep of ignorance. Whereas, he compares the poetry of Urfi Shirazi turning the light on the heart of the listener; Art for life is a level of perfection where beauty and power units by transforming into love to reform self - actualization. Leave the luxuries and come to term with bitter realities to attain self-actualization and art for the sake of life and not enjoyment.

Poet gives new meanings to whatever he sees in nature. It is not the art to express the feeling, it is to know through unknown reality and its true meanings.

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