University of Sindh (SU), Jamhsoro, on Monday, opened doors to a two-day Japanese Calendar Exhibition 2019.
The event was inaugurated by Mext Alumni Association of Pakistan (MAAP), Sindh, and SU’s Institute of Art & Design (IAD) in collaboration with the Japanese consulate in Karachi.
Japanese Consul General in Karachi, Toshikazu Isomura, and SU Thatta’s focal person, Prof Dr Sarfraz Hussain Solangi launched the event held at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Gallery of the SU.
Prof Dr Solangi was filling in for SU’s vice-chancellor, Prof Dr Fateh Muhammad Burfat, who is in Islamabad in connection with an official engagement.
In addition to depicting Japan’s socio-cultural development over centuries, these calendars also showcased multiple facets of the Japanese print technology.
Most of the calendars on display were produced by Japanese companies while many were printed on recycled paper.
This year, around 150 calendars were put on display through a joint collaboration of Japan Calendars Association, various Japanese companies and Consulate of Japan in Karachi.
Japan’s Consul General spoke at the occasion and noted that the event had been organised to introduce various aspects of Japan to the youth of Sindh studying at the university.
Japanese CG to assist SU with the Japanese language, culture dept
Isomura added the calendars vibrantly depicted the Japanese heritage and cultural identity through a reflection of images from traditional and contemporary arts, sports, automobiles, nature, legacy and architecture.
The consulate was said to extend its all-out support to the varsity if it established a department related to Japanese language and culture.
“Let me share that Pakistan and Japan have friendly relations since long. I visited Pakistan in 1984 for the first time and then continued working and coming here,” he maintained.
The CJ also announced plans of the Japanese emperor, Akihito, to abdicate on April 30 in accordance with an official notification issued in December 2017.
After his abandonment, his son was said to be crowned as the new emperor of the country.
He thanked the university management, Mext Alumni Association of Pakistan’s Sindh chapter and Institute of Art & Design for their cooperation in holding the exhibition.
SU Thatta’s focal person, Prof Dr Sarfaraz Hussain Solangi, said that the variety of calendars represented the beauty and the true image of Japan.
He called the event a way to encourage people-to-people contact and gain information about the development of various sectors in Japan.
“Such cultural programmes will prove helpful for artists and the public at Sindh University, the purpose of the exhibition is to introduce various aspects of Japan to our young students,” he added.
MAAP President Prof Dr Wazir Ali Baloch, said, “Today’s exhibition not only gives a picture of the socio-cultural development of Japan but also exhibits the aesthetic features by Japanese calendar artists.”
Faculty of Arts Dean, Dr Abdul Ghani Shaikh, said that the diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Japan were distinctive and would be strengthened in future if such exhibitions continued.
He added, “The Japanese Calendar exhibition has been organized to appreciate the natural beauty of Japan and to highlight Japanese culture here at the University of Sindh; such events strengthen people-to-people relations and best means to bring people of different countries closer.”
Prof Mangi said that one glance at the calendars could help visitors imagine being virtually in Japan.
“The calendars are a piece of art, and being an artist; I can understand the significance of photographs, designing, printing and publishing of these almanacks,” he maintained.
He went on saying that the students of the Institute of Art & Design will learn a lot of things after observing these priceless photographs and the way of designing.
Those present on the occasion included MAAP Sindh General Secretary Dr Khan Muhammad Brohi; Treasurer Dr Anila Naz Soomro; Institute of Art & Design Incharge Director Prof Saeed Mangi; Prof Naimatullah Khilji; Syndicate members, Dr Arfana Mallah; Dr Jamshed Chandio; Dr Rafique Ahmed Lashari; Amar Sindhu; Prof Maria and many others.
The exhibition would remain open for the public till April 23.
