We all notice the garbage, the pollution and the rundown buildings of Karachi. However, if we pay attention to the facades of some of these nondescript buildings, we will find that a good deal of artistic sensibility is apparent in the wonderful colours that adorn them.
These colours can appear out of nowhere; some times hidden is a section of a bazaar of the humble Neelum Colony, in the ruins of a fine old building in Saddar, or on a small mosque in the Ibrahim Haidri fishing village.
We may never know who chose to paint them that way, but the results add colour and vibrancy to the dynamic city we call Karachi, and are a testament to the artistic sensibilities of its denizens.
Lovely pastel colours blend to give a painting-like look to this wall in Neelum Colony.
A painted wall on an empty plot in Neelum Colony will do any watercolour artist proud.
The bright orange transformer, with its symmetrical winding fins, goes beautifully with the patterned curtain and the blue of the wall below. Clearly, a case of unintended consequences!
Shades of green and asymmetrical stones provide a beautiful backdrop; no wonder, the crows love it.
A colourful boat provides a perfect counter-point to the simple and tastefully painted mosque in the fishing village of Ibrahim Haidri.
The gate of the Abdullah Shah Ghazi shrine in Clifton frames the colourful main building.
Bathed in bright lights, the “*Doh Talwar*” in Clifton adds much charm to the square.
A very mundane apartment building in Saddar looks striking when painted in shades of green and adorned with one colourful window.
Various pastel shades give a tranquil look to this building on M. A. Jinnah road.
This old and decrepit looking building cannot be faulted for the choice of colours.
A beautifully painted apartment building in Saddar. Even the clothes hung in the balconies add to its charm.
Bright is beautiful!
Old building with new colours: A perfect marriage.
Buildings line a street coming off M. A. Jinnah.
A bride in white.
Photos by Vaqar Ahmed.