THIS is apropos news report by Taymour Soomro ‘Sadequain’s work fetches high price at auction’ (April 16). For ordinary mortals this report may signify a mark of distinction, but for Sadequain this event must be nauseating.

It is a fact that Sadequain regarded selling his artwork as a sacrilege. He gave a lot of his works away to institutions and individuals alike, a large numbers of his work were taken away by opportunists under dubious conditions, and even more were stolen as has been reported in newspapers on numerous occasions.

It is appalling that the sellers of Sadequain’s artwork had zero investment in the transactions and cashed out windfall profits without as much as offering a word of gratitude to their benefactor. Each of the seven pieces sold at the auction crossed ethical, moral, and legal boundaries. If Sadequain was alive, these sellers would not have dared such transgressions.

What makes the sale of Sadequain’s works at the flea market even more reprehensible is the fact that Sadequain’s monumental murals at Frere Hall, Lahore Museum, Punjab Library and several other venues, which he donated as a goodwill gesture, are decaying under adverse environmental conditions and lack of maintenance.

When approached by news reporters inquiring about the plans to protect Sadequain’s monumental murals, these institutions complain of lack of resources.

There have been several recent examples of government intervention when the artworks of artist Sultan from Bangladesh were put on sale in Pakistan and the Bangladeshi embassy intervened to stop the sale claiming that the artworks were part of their national heritage and must stay within the nation. Likewise, when a German architect offered Gandhi’s letters for sale, the Indian government purchased the entire lot to keep the national treasure under its control.

On yet another occasion an American offered Diego Rivera’s long lost art for sale in New York and the Mexican government intervened to stop the sale.

Isn’t there a national institution in Pakistan to protect the interests of our artists? What Sadequain is enduring from under the grave is aptly described by Allama Iqbal in his Jawab-e-Shikwa – baich khatay hein jo aslaaf kay madfun tum ho (those who prey on the remains of their ancestors – you are).

Salman Ahmad
Sadequain Foundation
San Diego, United States