Hyderabad: ‘Hyderabad ku Line Maarroon…’, an exhibition showcasing a collection of line drawings by Deccan Chronicle cartoon editor Subhani Shaik, will be held at the Nehru Art Gallery, JNAFAU College of Fine Arts, Masab Tank, from April 18 to 20, between 12 noon and 6 pm.
The exhibition will feature around 70 intricate line drawings, including iconic Hyderabad landmarks such as Charminar, Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi Tombs, High Court buildings, Chowmahalla Palace, Macca Masjid, and Falaknuma Palace, among other historical sites and places of interest across the city.
Subhani, who sketched these works live while sitting near the monuments, shared his artistic perspective: “Cameras have limitations. But artists do not. They can cover all angles. A long shot on a camera can miss out on details, but the artist can capture them.” Explaining what breathes life into his art, he said, “Engineers make a draft of a building using instruments. However, an artist draws a freehand sketch with zigzag lines, bringing the monuments to life and creating an atmosphere with people in his work.” Subhani has been crafting freehand sketches of Telangana’s landmarks and monuments for over three decades. Renowned for their rich, detailed backgrounds, his works have earned global recognition, with displays at prestigious venues such as Rashtrapati Bhavan and luxury hotels around the world. As part of the exhibition, a 60-page book featuring his sketches of Telangana’s monuments and iconic places will be launched. The event is being organised by the Department of Language and Culture to mark the International Day for Monuments and Sites, also known as World Heritage Day, on April 18.
