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Not forgotten? An exhibition explores the fading tradition of digest illustration

Illustrator Sajjad Ahmed Sididqui drew for digests like Khilona and Musafir decades ago. Can his son continue his work?
Updated 26 Nov, 2015

“Illustrations compel a reader to come closer to a book and explore the tales inside, so I believe an illustrator is like a window to what the writer offers,” says Zafar Siddiqui, an illustrator who is dedicated to an eclectic form of drawing called ‘digest art’.

The son of illustrator Sajjad Ahmed Sididqui, Zafar is showcasing his father's art at an exhibition set up in collaboration with the Alliance Francaise. The exhibition covers Sajjad Ahmed Sididqui's work from the 1940s -1970s, and includes illustrations hand-drawn for periodicals in India and Pakistan.

These colourful illustrations give hints about an upcoming tale. — Photo by author
These colourful illustrations give hints about an upcoming tale. — Photo by author

Sajjad Ahmed illustrated a wide variety of tales, from mythology to science fiction, horror, romance and even 'western-style' suspense stories. Having studied at the prestigious J.J. School of Art in then-Bombay, Sajjad gained popularity for his free-hand drawings in the 1940’s and became one of the pioneers of magazine art when he contributed to periodicals like Khilona, Musafir and Rabta.

Migrating to Pakistan in 1967, Sajjad took up a job drawing illustrations for poems and stories in Jang group’s popular weekly Akhbar-e-Jahan.

The drawings go hand in hand with the poetry. — Photo by author
The drawings go hand in hand with the poetry. — Photo by author

He didn’t stop there and went on to draw for Alami Digest where he experimented with soft-eroticism, sci-fi, suspense and horror. Until he passed away in 1989, Sajjad drew for Jasoosi Digest and Suspense Digest, periodicals extremely popular in Pakistan.

At that time, Sajjad Ahmed's drawings were often what compelled people to pick up certain digests.

Zafar followed in his father's footsteps and was associated with Pakeeza digest for nearly three decades. He now works with various advertising campaigns.

In the present day, how does one keep going in an environment where photographs have taken center stage? Or has interest in illustrations picked up, given an interest in comic cons and digital art?

The stories also explored famous Indian and Greek myths. — Photo by author
The stories also explored famous Indian and Greek myths. — Photo by author

“There are barely any digest-artists now," laments Zafar. "The major reason for this is that people are reading less. The circulation of newspapers and magazines is gradually declining because this is the age of Internet... how would one expect them to read when they don’t let go of these devices?”

Some of Sajjad's work on display. — Photo by author
Some of Sajjad's work on display. — Photo by author

He also regrets the loss of many fine artists who have passed away, leaving a vacuum yet to be filled. Zafar says he has taught illustration to many aspiring artists but only a few committed to the work professionally, probably because there's very little money in it. "“We don't value artists," he says. "There is a dearth of educated publishers now who know the true worth of artists so the financial situation is always tight.”

WWII tales used to be quite gripping back then. — Photo by author
WWII tales used to be quite gripping back then. — Photo by author

Nevertheless, he believes this is the way of the world and he himself needs to keep going against all the odds. “Artists are never given their due share of praise in their lives, it’s after they die that people suddenly realise their worth,” he says laughing.

Ghalib's couplet with an illustration. — Photo by author
Ghalib's couplet with an illustration. — Photo by author

The exhibition from 10am to 7pm goes on till November 30 at the Alliance Francaise.

Comments

Muhammad Majid Nov 26, 2015 04:06pm
Great memories,
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Ali Khan Nov 26, 2015 04:20pm
Simply Amazing
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Reader Nov 26, 2015 04:21pm
This art should be promoted.
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Saeed Masood Nov 26, 2015 04:27pm
Great..you took me by surprise..Oh! Pakistan you were so good and the take off was so handsome what went wrong and where...??? Can someone please bring my real old Pakistan back...
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HS Nov 26, 2015 04:54pm
The age of computers and internet has alas spelt the death knell for calligraphy, bill-board art, digest illustration. The loss can only be lamented.
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mohammed ahmed khan Nov 26, 2015 05:53pm
What a great work.... Two others; Mehdi and Shahid who use to make sketches for Subrang, Jasosi digest and Suspense Digest were also great. I wish someone write article to covers the prominent names in this field.
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Naxalite Nov 26, 2015 06:06pm
Childhood memories.
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irfaniftekhar Nov 26, 2015 06:27pm
Jasosi Duniya has tuaght Urdu to millions and millions of youngsters in India from 1955 to 1975. No other course text books have motivated and thereby taught Urdu to such a great populace than this Ibn-e-Safi's novels. Ask anyone in India, they will tell you the same.
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abid hussain Nov 26, 2015 07:01pm
Those were really good days. There was calm and peace. Life was not so busy. We did read newspapers and Digests. We enjoyed going to see films on cinema scree with families. TV dramas on the only PTV were the craze. You have taken us to a nostalgiac world. You have not mentioned some other Digests which were very popular. Zafar is a good artist indeed but you have not mentioned Iqbal Mehdi, He was an artist par excellence. God bless you. abid
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CALCUTTA MAN Nov 26, 2015 10:39pm
Loved the artworks. Brilliant idea for an exhibition.
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BJK Nov 27, 2015 12:39am
Amazing -- and brings on so much nostalgia!
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Rohit Singh Nov 27, 2015 03:20am
So nostalgic!!!
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Dr. Sid Nov 27, 2015 04:47am
Ibn-e-Safi is all time best!
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