In a ceremony at Karachi’s historic Frere Hall on Monday, Artist Saifi Soomro’s long-lost paintings were finally returned to him. Senior Director of KMC Sports and Culture, Raza Abbas, handed over the art pieces, resolving a seven-year-old mystery.
Soomro, who is from Daharki in Ghotki district, created these paintings in 2016. He sent them to Frere Hall for an exhibition in 2017. However, after the event, when Soomro requested the return of his work, he was told the paintings had disappeared. For years, he believed they were lost for good.
Yet, an unexpected turn of events changed everything. A scene from a Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum television drama, shot at Frere Hall, showed Soomro’s missing paintings on display. Surprised and confused, Soomro immediately took to social media to raise the issue.
The buzz caught the attention of the authorities. In response, a two-member committee was formed to investigate the matter. The committee, after careful examination, presented its findings to Sindh Minister for Culture and Tourism, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah.
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The report revealed that the paintings had never gone missing. In fact, they had remained at Frere Hall all along. The paintings had been frequently moved around due to multiple exhibitions, leading to the confusion. According to the report, Soomro had not shown interest in reclaiming them earlier, which further delayed their return.
At the ceremony, Raza Abbas clarified that the paintings were not stolen. He added that Soomro’s misunderstanding had led to the belief that his work was lost. However, now that the matter was resolved, the art pieces were being returned.
The committee’s findings emphasized that the paintings seen in the drama were indeed Soomro’s and had been safely kept at the Frere Hall since 2017. It was concluded that the confusion between the artist and the administration had caused the delay in returning the artwork.
After seven years, Saifi Soomro’s paintings were back in his possession. The return of the art pieces marks the end of a long, drawn-out episode of confusion and relief for the artist.
The event at Frere Hall not only highlighted the importance of preserving art but also the need for clear communication between artists and cultural institutions. The case of Soomro’s paintings serves as a reminder of how easily misunderstandings can occur in such matters.
For Saifi Soomro, the return of his artwork brings closure and satisfaction, as his precious creations are once again in his hands, safe and sound.
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