Famous writer, poet, and visual artist Aslam Kamal, 85, died in Lahore on Tuesday. He was born in Sialkot in 1939, went to Iqbal Memorial School for his early schooling, and then graduated from Punjab University with a bachelor’s degree. As Iqbal’s painter, Kamal is known for his extraordinary contributions and was given the President’s Award for Pride of Performance in 1993.
His works can be found in three esteemed art galleries in Aiwan-i-Iqbal, Pharmacy College, Punjab University, Lahore, and F-9 Park, Islamabad, which are testaments to his artistic influence. Kamal, a trailblazer in Pakistan’s creative calligraphy, was also bestowed with “lifetime achievement awards” by multiple establishments.
He was acknowledged for his enormous contribution to the design of more than 20,000 book and magazine dust covers, including suggestions for the Guinness Book of World Records.
Inspired by Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Kamal held solo exhibitions across the world while creating stunning illustrations for Faiz’s poetry. With his paintings, the Lahore Museum commemorated “Faiz Year 2011”.
He has a large mural for Pilac called “Creative past of Punjab,” and he has also worked on a project called “Sufi poetry on canvas,” which features paintings by Punjabi Sufi poets. Aslam Kamal’s influence on the realm of art and culture endures despite his demise.
