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Eminent artist Mashkoor Raza passes away

Eminent artist Mashkoor Raza passes away

His prodigious talent enabled him to display his works in different parts of the world.
04 Feb, 2025

Distinguished painter Mashkoor Raza passed away here on Monday. He was 76. He was laid to rest in the Defence Phase VIII graveyard after Asr prayers.

The artist was born in 1948 in Moradabad, India. His family migrated to Pakistan a few years after his birth.

Raza developed an interest in fine art from an early age. He attended the reputed Karachi School of Art (KSA) as a budding artist from where he graduated in 1972 with a gold medal.

Alongside his art practice, Raza taught at the KSA for a brief period. His prodigious talent not only earned him widespread recognition but also enabled him to display his works in different parts of the world, including the UK, India, the UAE and the US.

Speaking to Dawn, painter Tanweer Farooqi said, “When I was growing up I saw a lot of his work and read about him in journalist Shafi Aqeel’s write-ups. With time, and as I began to practice art, I befriended him. Despite being a senior, he was always kind to me.”

On Raza’s style of work, Farooqi said at the beginning of his career, Raza made realistic paintings and portraits. His drawing was strong. Since he had a sound foundation, his transition to abstract art was seamless and striking. There were slight influences of cubism, too. But it was Raza’s colour composition and breezy brushstrokes that distinguished him from his contemporaries.

Raza’s art was also hailed for his remarkable use of equestrian themes. There would be hardly any exhibition of the artist’s work in the last few decades of his life where his equestrian paintings were not on display and appreciated.

Last year, in August, the Arts Council of Pakistan arranged an event to celebrate Raza’s life and work at which he was also congratulated for receiving the Sitara-i-Imtiaz. Speaking on that occasion, the council’s President Ahmed Shah had mentioned that one of Raza’s paintings had been, and could be viewed, at the council for the last four decades.

The artist’s financially challenged time, during which he remained resolute in doing well for his family and not to compromise on his art, was acknowledged as well.

Original published in Dawn, February 4th, 2025

Comments

Taj Ahmad Feb 04, 2025 04:50pm
So sad, RIP.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Feb 04, 2025 06:09pm
What a gigantic, gruesome, grisly, grim, ghastly, grave, gross and great tragedy? Inna Lilla Hay Waa Inna Illehey Rajayoon.
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Zara Feb 04, 2025 06:25pm
Fly high Mashkoor you will have one of the highest rank in jannah Ameen
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Surendra Sukhtankar Feb 04, 2025 06:58pm
RIP.
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Polaris Feb 04, 2025 08:32pm
Many will miss the distinguished painter Mashkoor Raza.
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syed Nazim Feb 05, 2025 06:31am
Pakistan is loosing writers and artist without adding new one, what a tragedy.
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