Three artists bring Iqbal’s ‘Saqi Nama’ to life at PNCA

ISLAMABAD, Nov 10 (APP):An art exhibition titled ‘Saqi Nama’, featuring artistic interpretations of Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s celebrated poem by three artists, Geytee Ara, Lubna Jehangir and Zarar Haider Babry, opened at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA)  on Tuesday.

The exhibition is being organized to commemorate the 149th birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and celebrate his poetic vision and philosophical legacy through diverse forms of artistic expression. It will remain open to visitors until November 18.

Bringing together three artists who were university fellows, the exhibition marks their reunion after pursuing different professional careers and following separate paths over the decades.

They have come together to explore Iqbal’s poetry through their individual artistic perspectives, experiences and creative approaches.

Each artwork draws inspiration from a single couplet of Iqbal’s ‘Saqi Nama’, offering an independent visual interpretation of the selected verse through different mediums, colours, forms and techniques.

Iqbal’s ‘Saqi Nama’ is among the most celebrated works in the Urdu and Persian literary traditions. Using the imagery of the cupbearer, wine and cup, the poem conveys a deeper philosophical message about self-awakening, personal growth, struggle and the courage to transform oneself. Its universal themes encourage individuals to move beyond complacency and pursue their potential through continuous effort and renewal.

The artists approached the poem with reverence, reflecting on its philosophical depth while drawing inspiration from earlier artistic interpretations. Their works explore different dimensions of human experience, identity, memory, aspiration and transformation.

Geytee Ara explores the relationship between material, memory and selfhood, using form, surface and texture to connect inherited ideas with contemporary experiences. Her work reflects on renewal and the courage to embrace change.

Lubna Jehangir focuses on rhythm, movement and illumination, using colour as a medium of expression and inquiry to explore the inner landscapes of the poem while retaining a sense of mystery in her compositions.

Zarar Haider Babry explores themes of ascent, struggle and transformation through line, colour and gesture, drawing inspiration from Iqbal’s poetry to create independent visual expressions of energy, aspiration and the evolving self.

The exhibition also reflects the artists’ personal journeys of introspection, as their engagement with the poem prompted

questions about identity, life experiences, personal growth and the continuing process of self-discovery.

Through their diverse artistic expressions, the three artists invite visitors to engage with Iqbal’s timeless message, reflect on their own journeys and discover new meanings in the celebrated poem.