LAHORE - The exhibition of graphite drawings by Bashir Ahmed opened at the Ocean Art Galleries, Gulberg, on Thursday. Bashir Ahmad is an eminent painter and professional teacher of studio art at the National College of Arts Lahore, Pakistan. Ahmad's Miniature Painting Department, National College of Art Lahore alone deserves the accolades of making art in Pakistan synonymous with the miniature tradition of painting in South East Asia. The exhibition displaying 32 drawings by the eminent painter was inaugurated by Punjab Home Secretary Nadeem Hasan Asif. A number of artists, students and art lovers were present at the inauguration. It is perhaps a record that an artist is holding three solo exhibitions in one month. Ahmed's first solo show this month was held at the NCA on August 7 in which 15 paintings and 275 sculptures were put on display. After the exhibition in Lahore Ahmed' s next exhibition would be held at Ocean Art Galleries, Karachi, on August 21. Ahmed is overwhelmed by response from art and literary circles in the city. "The response has been amazing. People have appreciated my work. I have evolved my own style and you will never see such genre of artworks anywhere," he said while talking to The Nation. The exhibition is a rare opportunity to see the work of master. The drawings done in the genre of miniatures are remarkable. Ahmad completed his National Diploma of Art from the National College of Arts in 1973-74 Session and started teaching in 1976 as a Lecturer. He did his Masters of Fine Arts from the Punjab University in 1985 and also did Masters of Public Administration in Human Resource Management from the Punjab University. He studied miniature painting under the late Ustad Sheikh Shuja Ullah who was the last court painter family member from the Mughal court. He did his apprenticeship and learnt the different techniques of Mughal, Persian paintings, their restoration and repair of old paintings. He also learned the miniature painting from Late Ustad Haji Mohammad Sharif privately. In 1981 he formulated the academic programme of miniature painting, and started the classes at National College of Arts in 1982. The compilation of the syllabus of miniature painting was very difficult because there was not a single previous example of academic curriculum of miniature painting in the world. Being sympathetic to the various techniques and styles of different Ustads, he complied the syllabus welding together the traditions of miniature painting and the modes. He determinedly constrained himself and devotedly taught the subject. He has single handed successfully completed the task of implementation and perusal of the subject passionate to him. To him alone, should the laurels of re-enlightenment be presented. Now all over the world it is now recognized as a serious independent subject. The world has now also given Pakistan its deserving position in miniature painting, It is because of Bashir Ahmad's sole efforts that miniature painting is also introduced as the art of Pakistan.