Lost In Translation: A Caricaturish Sculpture Of Allama Iqbal In Lahore Draws Ire From Pakistanis

A newly mounted sculpture of the great poet Allama Iqbal in Gulshan – e – Iqbal, Lahore has drawn attention of the Pakistani social media users due to the caricaturish nature of the artwork.

The newly placed statue of Allama Iqbal is currently one of the most talked about thing in Pakistan as far as the Twitter trends suggest. People have gone outright ruthless with their critique.

While some of them questioned the authorities for giving the park’s management permission on placing the sculpture, others asked if we don’t have better homegrown artists to do the job by reasoning that our leaders deserve better than this.

With a country that has many artists, perhaps these two sculptures are evidence for the need to invest in homegrown artists a little more? Frankly, both Jinnah and Iqbal deserve better. pic.twitter.com/w99mdpH8Fz

— Alia Chughtai (@AliaChughtai) February 1, 2021

Really disappointed who approved this its open insult of our national Hero #AllamaIqbal #Punjabgovt @ImranKhanPTI pic.twitter.com/X8BGc0rlzf

— Air Striker (@Khattak_sb) February 2, 2021

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It looks like the sculpture has hurt Pakistanis on such a deep level that they have even asked the management to get it removed.

This is totally a national embarrassment!
PLEASE HAVE THIS REMOVED!
Learn to respect, not making a reason for making fun!
Who made this?#AllamaIqbal #Lahore pic.twitter.com/KdoGZNvf4d

— Munib Hamid (@MunibHamid) February 2, 2021

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Meanwhile, some other citizens had to say that this is what happens when you’re running a little ‘low on the budget.’

Rs. 10,000 Marketing Package, Boosting, Likes And Viral Posts.

Result = #AllamaIqbal #Statue #Iqbal #Lahore #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/Nu2MqsBlYl

— Rohail Ramzan Ali | 🇵🇰 🇦🇪 (@RohailRamzanAli) February 2, 2021

And while the sculpture is the present butt of the jokes for Pakistanis, they’re busy making memes out of it.

Is it just me or these two resemble 😈😈😈 #Allamaiqbal pic.twitter.com/jqedzGBoO2

— DJ Shahpara (@DJShahpara) February 2, 2021

However, amid all the hate and trolling, there were a few netizens who took time to see the sunny side up!

Iqabl's sculpture in Gulshan-e-iqbal Lahore, there is nothing wrong about the sculpture except the part that it doesn't really look like Iqbal pic.twitter.com/zuNyrvXrmB

— Laila (@Laila_Taariq) February 1, 2021

They highlighted how the sculpture is an artwork of the gardener’s of the park, adding that that they’re not professionals and that it’s just their love for the poet.

This #AllamaIqbal’s sculpture Is Made By Gardners Of This Park They Are Not Professionals.

Ye Unka Pyar He Iqbal He 🤝 #AllamaIqbal pic.twitter.com/jkWUwbfy14

— Libra (@Ameer_libra) February 2, 2021

How did you find the sculpture? Share in the comments.