Mountain culture depicted in live painting competition

Rawalpindi

The students from different colleges of the twin cities, Rawalpindi and Islamabad, skilfully painted the ‘mountain culture’ in an oil-on-canvas painting competition.

The contest was organised here on Tuesday in collaboration with the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) in connection with the on-going 6th Pakistan Mountain Festival, the annual flagship event by the Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan) to commemorate International Mountain Day.

The Pakistan Mountain Festival Director Munir Ahmed while talking to this scribe said, “As many as 42 students reflected their love for the mountains and its culture through variety of colours and treatment in oil-on-canvas. The Hunza and Kalash women, culture and heritage have been the preferred themes for the participants. The themes and the images the youth painted in the live competition shows their skills and love for the mountains, but sadly no one knows the actual threats to the mountains, its people and culture. The concerned organisations are responsible for the youth’s ignorance towards the worst climate changes happening around us. We need to launch youth awareness campaign on changing climate. The government agencies, multilateral organisation and the education institutions need to launch an inclusive and comprehensive initiative to inform and educate the young.”

Riffat Ara Baig, the coordinator of the painting competition, said art can be a multi-fold medium to educate and inspire the youth and general public to love mountains not only for their beauty and natural landscape but as source of biodiversity, forests and frozen water that we need to continue our life and livelihood.”

Waqar Ahmed, the Resident Director RAC, said the Rawalpindi Arts Council always promote youth engagement in the creative pursuits, and encourage collaboration with the non-governmental organizations as well for such kind of events.

The participants termed the event a source to inculcate love for nature and to sensitise the youth on the issues confronting the highlands. Laraib Rafiq, said that she was there to express her love for the beauty-rich mountains that attract tourism.

Hadia Zahra, of the National College of Arts, Rawalpindi campus, said such kind of events help raise awareness on the issues. While living on the footsteps of the Margalla Hills we need to know and educate the youth the importance of mountains in our lives.

Farwa Sadaf of Islamabad College for Girls, F-6/2 said mountains give us fresh water and air, without both we cannot live. We are thankful to those who maintain the cultures and environment of the mountain to liven up our lives and moods.