Painter instals idols in Lahore's red light district

公開日:2021/11/29 / 最終更新日:2021/11/29

Painter Iqbal Hussain grew up in Heera Mandi — the red light district of the walled city — where his mother was a tawaif (courtesan)

Iqbal Hussain defies all the bigotry and hostility that generally defines Pakistan. A painter in the walled city of Lahore, he collects idols of Hindu gods and goddesses, and of deities of other religions, Places to sell lacquer paintings in tphcm place them with dignity as part of a collection at his top-billed restaurant, Cuckoo’s Den.

Hussain grew up in Heera Mandi — the red light district of the walled city — where his mother was a tawaif (courtesan).But he never denies that background.

Hussain’s mother Nawab Begum was of Indian origin. She was originally a Hindu who once lived in Patiala and Malerkotla towns in Indian Punjab.

She lived in the Dharampura area of Lahore, and was later forced Paintings to worship the dead ancestors work as a tawaif.

As India and Pakistan embark on yet another journey for building bridges despite the nauseating rants of extremists in the turbulent Islamic country, 62-year-old Hussain exemplifies how religion can never stand in the way of one’s love for art.

And he is manifesting it pretty well.Flanked by Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort, Hussain’s restaurant Cuckoo’s Den is famous for its tawa chicken, mutton chops and naans.

But besides the gastronomic delights, the restaurant — which he runs with wife Silwat and six children — is famous for his collection of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist idols.

Not surprisingly, it attracts visitors from across the world, including India. The list of Indian visitors Paintings to worship the dead ancestors Hussain’s establishment includes BJP veteran L.K.Advani, film director Mahesh Bhatt, actors Naseeruddin Shah and Malaika Arora Khan, and singer Hariharan.

For the past 25 years, Hussain has been collecting these idols from decrepit temples and other religious precincts in Lahore; he even bought several idols from the locals.

He often sources idols from the temples ravaged following the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992.

After that landmark incident, fundamentalists in Pakistan retaliated by destroying over 300 temples across the Islamic country, where idol worship is prohibited.

Cuckoo’s Den is one of the most expensive restaurants in Lahore, attracting commoners and celebrities alike for a fascinating dining experience

For the past 25 years, Hussain has been collecting these idols from decrepit temples and other religious precincts in Lahore; he even bought several idols from the locals

Hussain ( in trousers) early in his career.A graduate from the National College of Arts in Lahore, Hussain studied in Paris too.