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Unknown
Islamabad
History and Photography sub-groups of the Asian Study Group (ASG) organised a unique and rare exhibition and discussion by Yahya Ghaznavi, who has archived a rare collection of photographs covering the period between 1870-1960 featuring nearly all popular sport disciplines of the subcontinent.
The event was held at the centre for art and dialogue, Kuch Khaas. Titled ‘A Tribute to Pioneers,’ this collection of rare photographs brings together not only sports personalities of that era but also the social and political personalities who later shaped the destiny of this region, while also highlighting the cultural changes that have taken place during the last hundred years. Yahya, who says this is his passion; hobby and pastime all rolled into one, holds a Master’s in Mass Communication and Sport Business Management from University of West England, (Bristol). He has exhibited his rare collection at Lord’s Cricket Stadium London, in Paris, Dubai, Lahore and Karachi. Lately he was invited by the British High Commission to exhibit as part of the 2012 Olympic celebrations.
Yahya’s aim is to acknowledge the contribution of individuals, organisation and institutions who pioneered organised sport in the sub-continent; to promote ethnic integration and goodwill among communities sharing a common past; to preserve our rich sports heritage; to educate and inculcate interest in sport in the present and future generation so they refrain from unhealthy activities; combat gender discrimination and promote a moderate social system with religious tolerance and, last but not least, define the difference between religion and culture.
Some of the pictures — not all which were exhibited can be mentioned here — showcased father of former Air Chief, Air Marshall Farooq Feroze Khan, Ferozeuddin Khan, who played for the first official All India Hockey team that won the Gold medal at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam; seven brothers and father, Nawab Qutubuddin Khan (Tank ruling family) at a polo match (two teams!); Parveen Sheikh, the first and only woman to play at Wimbledon wearing ‘shalwar kameez’; Aisam ul Haq’s grandfather, Khwaja Iftikhar, former all India champion with Taqi Butt, first National Tennis champion wearing a skirt at a tennis match (which caused some foreign guests to comment that it was hard to believe that Pakistan was such a modern country with active participation of female’s in sport activities!) Din Mohammad, the first Pakistani to win a gold medal for wrestling at the Asian Games — though Pakistan won quite a few gold medals, he has the unique honour that our National Anthem was played for the first time at a sports event because of his achievement; Abdul Khaliq, the former fastest man of Asia; Brigadier Rodham, first Director Army Sports, at Pindi Club with cricket great Gary Sobers (West Indies tour in 1958); Khawaja Nazimuddin, raising his hands in jubilation as Pakistan win against MCC at Karachi in 1951; impeccably dressed as always, Quaid-i-Azam photographed with Betty Smith, the best female athlete at the first Pakistan Olympic Games (Karachi 1948); General Ayub with General Chaudhry from India at a polo match in Lahore; Queen Elizabeth at a polo match in Lahore during her first visit to Pakistan.
In the question and answer session Yahya related some interesting stories both from his personal experiences while collecting these photographs and those which he has heard but are not public knowledge — the rivalry of top athletes, Milkha Singh known as the ‘Flying Sikh’ and Khaliq, the ‘Asian Bird’ Indian producer, (he informed that Farhan Akhtar is now making a film on Milkha Singh and wished we can also honour our sports heroes); how cricket hero Fazal Mahmood presented President Eisenhower with a blazer of the Pakistan cricket team and he immediately put it on — (hard to imagine Obama doing the same!) and so on. All tales that would make a fascinating book for our future generation to read and be motivated to reach the same glorious standards these sports heroes achieved. “We need to appreciate these unsung heroes and hold them up as our role models. They do not have any political agendas and speak the international language of a sportsman’s spirit,” said Yahya, who himself is a keen photographer and hopes to keep adding more historic pictures to his collection.
History and Photography sub-groups of the Asian Study Group (ASG) organised a unique and rare exhibition and discussion by Yahya Ghaznavi, who has archived a rare collection of photographs covering the period between 1870-1960 featuring nearly all popular sport disciplines of the subcontinent.
The event was held at the centre for art and dialogue, Kuch Khaas. Titled ‘A Tribute to Pioneers,’ this collection of rare photographs brings together not only sports personalities of that era but also the social and political personalities who later shaped the destiny of this region, while also highlighting the cultural changes that have taken place during the last hundred years. Yahya, who says this is his passion; hobby and pastime all rolled into one, holds a Master’s in Mass Communication and Sport Business Management from University of West England, (Bristol). He has exhibited his rare collection at Lord’s Cricket Stadium London, in Paris, Dubai, Lahore and Karachi. Lately he was invited by the British High Commission to exhibit as part of the 2012 Olympic celebrations.
Yahya’s aim is to acknowledge the contribution of individuals, organisation and institutions who pioneered organised sport in the sub-continent; to promote ethnic integration and goodwill among communities sharing a common past; to preserve our rich sports heritage; to educate and inculcate interest in sport in the present and future generation so they refrain from unhealthy activities; combat gender discrimination and promote a moderate social system with religious tolerance and, last but not least, define the difference between religion and culture.
Some of the pictures — not all which were exhibited can be mentioned here — showcased father of former Air Chief, Air Marshall Farooq Feroze Khan, Ferozeuddin Khan, who played for the first official All India Hockey team that won the Gold medal at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam; seven brothers and father, Nawab Qutubuddin Khan (Tank ruling family) at a polo match (two teams!); Parveen Sheikh, the first and only woman to play at Wimbledon wearing ‘shalwar kameez’; Aisam ul Haq’s grandfather, Khwaja Iftikhar, former all India champion with Taqi Butt, first National Tennis champion wearing a skirt at a tennis match (which caused some foreign guests to comment that it was hard to believe that Pakistan was such a modern country with active participation of female’s in sport activities!) Din Mohammad, the first Pakistani to win a gold medal for wrestling at the Asian Games — though Pakistan won quite a few gold medals, he has the unique honour that our National Anthem was played for the first time at a sports event because of his achievement; Abdul Khaliq, the former fastest man of Asia; Brigadier Rodham, first Director Army Sports, at Pindi Club with cricket great Gary Sobers (West Indies tour in 1958); Khawaja Nazimuddin, raising his hands in jubilation as Pakistan win against MCC at Karachi in 1951; impeccably dressed as always, Quaid-i-Azam photographed with Betty Smith, the best female athlete at the first Pakistan Olympic Games (Karachi 1948); General Ayub with General Chaudhry from India at a polo match in Lahore; Queen Elizabeth at a polo match in Lahore during her first visit to Pakistan.
In the question and answer session Yahya related some interesting stories both from his personal experiences while collecting these photographs and those which he has heard but are not public knowledge — the rivalry of top athletes, Milkha Singh known as the ‘Flying Sikh’ and Khaliq, the ‘Asian Bird’ Indian producer, (he informed that Farhan Akhtar is now making a film on Milkha Singh and wished we can also honour our sports heroes); how cricket hero Fazal Mahmood presented President Eisenhower with a blazer of the Pakistan cricket team and he immediately put it on — (hard to imagine Obama doing the same!) and so on. All tales that would make a fascinating book for our future generation to read and be motivated to reach the same glorious standards these sports heroes achieved. “We need to appreciate these unsung heroes and hold them up as our role models. They do not have any political agendas and speak the international language of a sportsman’s spirit,” said Yahya, who himself is a keen photographer and hopes to keep adding more historic pictures to his collection.
Posted in: Islamabad
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