Title: Savannah Of The City, 2024.
TBT Art Divvy at Islamia Hall Lahore.
Lahore, once revered as the City of Gardens, has unfolded before me like a living tapestry, evolving with each passing day since my earliest perceptions dawned. As I’ve grown alongside this venerable city, its immutable geography has continually beckoned my senses towards the immersive realm of its urban landscapes. I remain captivated by the harmonious coexistence of ancient and modern enclaves, which provide sanctuary to the city’s indigenous flora along with an array of newcomers. Each family has meticulously curated its narrative, composing self-portraits from the decorative plants that adorn their exterior green belts – a now-entrenched architectural feature of contemporary Lahore. Others cherish their favorite blooms and planters on balconies or rooftops, while certain hardy vegetation asserts its autonomy, thriving amidst the weathered bricks of neglected structures or cultivating enclosed territories demarcated by brick walls. Yet, it’s poignant to acknowledge that Lahore, once renowned for its lush gardens, has succumbed to the ravages of pollution and smog, rendering its air nearly unbreathable. In stark reality, Lahore can no longer claim its erstwhile title as the City of Gardens; instead, it has devolved into the City of Unplanned Urbanisation – a testament to the chaotic, unbridled growth that has ravaged its former beauty. In this stark reality, the only remaining “savannah”– is the natural greenery that persists, preserved by sheer luck: luck afforded by the protective boundary of bricks, or luck bestowed by the chance intervention of a gardener. Nowadays, if one is fortunate, they might catch glimpses of foliage, but largely confined to the superficial, artificially curated green belts flanking roads – a cosmetic façade so contrived that it almost assumes an unreal quality. This tenacious foliage embodies the true resilience of Lahore’s botanical heritage, weaving a multifaceted tale that not only chronicles the past but also reflects our current existential condition and the intersecting planes of our parallel realities.
