Syed Farhan Mehdi, son of the veteran artist Eqbal Mehdi, donated his father’s very famous painting – titled Thatta, created on paper with oil pastel to the Latif Kapadia Memorial Welfare Trust, an organization that provides health, education and social welfare services to low-income and underprivilegted families in different parts of Pakistan.
“Syed Farhan gave us this painting out of his generosity,” said Ahmed Kapadia, Chairman LKMWT. “We hope such a fine gesture should be followed by people who want to bring positive social change in the society. We also thank Mr. Farhan for providing a letter of authenticity for his father’s painting”
98 km to east of Karachi, on the National Highway, lays the ancient town of Thatta, once called the EI Darodo of the East. This busy river port of yore is now famous for some of the most picturesque and interesting specimen of Muslim architecture. Although the vestiges of past glories are of comparatively recent origin, dating back to 16th and 17th centuries, the history of Thatta goes back some two thousand years. The veteran artist Eqbal Mehdi has drawn attention of our thinkers and leaders to this national heritage through his inspiring painting titled ‘Thatta’. It is an oil pastel painting on paper in 31”x43” size.
Eqbal Mehdi, whose artistic career was initiated with pen and charcoal sketches, began to use colour only in 1985 and has managed to excel in whatever medium he has dabbed with. Whether it is paper, canvas or bronze, Mehdi’s mastery in all the three materials is amply evident in his work spread over a span of almost five decades. Mehdi has the unique distinction of being the first Muslim Painter to have his work exhibited in the prestigious Rembrandt Gallery in Munich, Germany. Eqbal Mehdi has the privilege of being honoured in his lifetime by being presented with Pakistan’s Pride of Performance Award for his monumental achievements in 1998.
LKMWT is committed to providing support for families through health, education and welfare projects in the country. The first project ‘MediHealth Clinic’ has already established in 2007 which is an OPD facility in Shah Faisal Colony #1, Karachi, providing convenient, reliable clinical services with minimal charges under the supervision of qualified doctors. The trust is focused at to develop ‘MediHealth Clinic’ to a full service hospital very soon and simultaneously planning educational and health projects in other localities as well where such facilities are very scarce and inadequate.
