By Zaheda Ghani
July-Sept. 1998
Lemar-Aftaab
Ustad Mohammad Saed Mashal could be called one of the greatest
contemporary artists of Afghanistan. He was born in 1917 in the town of Nili
in the province of Ghor; however he lived most of his life in Herat, where he passed away due to a heart condition on February 7, 1998.
Mashal's artistic affiliation was with the Behzad School of
Miniature Art. At the same time that he was a follower of the Behzadi tradition and convention, Mashal also contributed to its development. His main contribution was the introduction of practically applicable formulas within the artwork. During his lifetime, Mashal had many students and apprentices to whom he taught these methods.
Ustad Mashal was not only an accomplished painter but also an admired
writer. He wrote across many genres of poetry, prose, ghasidas,
chahrbaities and more.
He wrote with inspiring penmanship and added a touch of humor to this
works.
The Australian newspaper Sydney Morning Herald covered the
destruction of
his last great works in Herat. The article was covered by Baker, a
documentary writer,
stating that four statues of horses had been beheaded because they were
considered "idols."
The story described the white washing of his paintings, and the
beheading of his statues, located in Herat's main Bazaar, since he was
considered an "Idolatrous."
The Great Hall of Herat , Zarnagaar, had
been painted by Mashal and his students, but was destroyed among his
other works. The caption below the photograph read, "Idolatrous....the
respected artist Mohammed Saeed Mashal had his life's great work
destroyed..." Because of old age, he was unable to revive what had been
destroyed.
Ustad Mashal's family is now spread between Afghanistan and
Australia. His bibliography is under publication in Canada.
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