About Saeed Ahmad Bodla
Saeed Ahmad Bodla
A renowned Pakistani artist, best known for his skills as an artistic calligrapher. He is considered to be the one of the few finest painters and calligraphers Pakistan has ever produced. He was born on 5th January 1944 to a Punjab based Agriculturist, Mian Ghulam Ahmad Bodla. He took his early education from his native town Arifwala and subsequently completed his secondary education from Govt College Sahiwal. He from his early age got himself indulged in several artistic activities. When he claimed his father to go to art school after completing his secondary education, his father said, “you will be doing things which are prohibited in Islam after completing your art studies”. He promised his father that he will dedicate his art skills to calligraphy, which he has fully proved over the years.
Education
He studied Fine Arts Graphic Designing from the Fine Arts Department Punjab University which now is known as the College of Art and Design University of the Punjab Lahore. He had the privilege of enhancing his fine arts knowledge under the able guidance of Mrs. Anna Molika Ahmad (Head of fine arts department PU). Moreover, he acquired the calligraphic & art exercises from internationally recognized and regarded professors such as Prof. Ahmad Hussain Sohail-e-Raqam, Prof. Zulqarnain Haider (Pride of Performance), Prof. Syed Hassan Shahnawaz Zaidi (Pride of Performance), Prof. Dr. Aijaz Anwar (Pride of Performance), Haji Muhammad Sharif (Pride of Performance) and Prof. Sohail Wali.
Experience
He has been working on Islamic Calligraphy for quite a long time, even before commencement of his professional fine arts education. Being a qualified artistic calligrapher, he has the honor of creating / painting several “Quranic Verses”, “Quranic Prays”, “Asma-ul-Hasna” and “Names of Prophet SAW” using more than 63 Oriental Scripts and at least in 22 various fine art medias. Moreover, he has illustrated a few poets such as Syed Waris Shah. His calligraphic artwork has been displayed in several collective / solo exhibitions across the country. Moreover, numerous educational institutes have acknowledged his work by assembling his art galleries.
In order to uphold the Islamic Calligraphy in the country and to specially promote it amongst the youth of the nation, Saeed Ahmad Bodla has dedicated his calligraphic art work to the well-known educational institutes of the country. Following are the permanent art galleries of Saeed Ahmad Bodla:
Islamic Art Gallery of Saeed Ahmad Bodla Apr, 2007
Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Punjab University, Lahore
Inaugurated by Lt Gen (R) Arshad Mehmood [Vice Chancellor PU Lahore]. This Art Gallery consists of complete ‘Surah-tul-Muzammil’ painted in oil color on 30 panels of 24’’ x 36’’ size each in various oriental scripts. Moreover, 12 panels of ‘Asma-ul-Husna’ and 15 panels of “Quranic Verses’ of 12’’ x 15’’ and 24’’ x 36’’ size respectively with additional 03 panels of ‘Quranic Verses’ of 36’’ x 48’’ size are also part of this gallery.
Islamic Art Gallery donated by Saeed Ahmad Bodla Nov, 2009
PU Library, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Punjab University, Lahore
Inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Mujahid Kamran [Vice Chancellor PU Lahore]. This Art Gallery consists of 100 panels of ‘Asma-ul-Husna’ painted in miniature style formatted in 22 different artistic medias using 63 oriental scripts of 12’’ x 15’’ size each. Moreover, ‘Quranic Prays’ (16 panels each of 12’’ x 18’’ size) and ‘Quranic Verses’ are also part of this gallery which are not only painted in oil color (26 panels each of 24’’ x 36’’ size) but also created in ‘pen and ink’ media (8 panels each of 15’’ x 18’’ size).
Bodla Islamic Art Gallery May, 2008
Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Peshawar University, Peshawar
Structured by Prof. Dr. Dost Muhammad [Director Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Peshawar University]. This Art Gallery consists of 20 panels of ‘Quranic Verses’ painted in oil color of 24’’ x 36’’ size each. Additionally, 86 printed panels of various sizes are also part of this gallery, which encompasses ‘Asma-ul-Husna’, ‘Quranic Prays’ and ‘Quranic Verses’.
Bodla Islamic Art Gallery Feb, 2015
Gad & Birgit Rausing Library, LUMS, Lahore
Inaugurated by Dr. Sohail H. Naqvi [Vice Chancellor LUMS]. This Art Gallery consists of 100 panels of ‘Names of Prophet SAW’ painted in water color and line art using 25 oriental scripts of 20’’ x 24’’ size each. Additionally, 26 panels of ‘Quranic Verses’ of different sizes are also part of this gallery which are painted in oil color with impasto & palette knife technique.
Pir Waris Shah Art Gallery by Saeed Ahmad Bodla Jul, 2005
Shrine of Waris Shah at Jandiala Sherkhan near Sheikhupura
Inaugurated by Sheikh Zafar Iqbal [DCO Sheikhupura]. This is the first ever art gallery of Illustrations of spiritual verses of Syed Waris Shah. It was established by an organization named as “Waris Parhyaa”.
Listed below are the solo exhibitions of Saeed Ahmad Bodla that were unveiled in different cities of the country.
Islamic Calligraphic Exhibition Nov, 2001
Alhamra Art Council Lahore
Inaugurated by M.A. Kashar, a renowned Artist & Calligrapher.
Islamic Calligraphic Exhibition Jan, 2002
Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Punjab University, Lahore
Inaugurated by Aslam Kamal (Pride of Performance), a great artist of the country.
Calligraphic Exhibition for female students Jan, 2002
Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Punjab University, Lahore
Inaugurated by Begum Lt Gen (R) Arshad Mehmood, Vice Chancellor Punjab University, Lahore.
Islamic Calligraphic Exhibition Mar, 2003
Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Punjab University, Lahore
Inaugurated by Mr. Tariq Farooq, Federal Education Secretary.
Islamic Calligraphic Exhibition Oct, 2003
Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Punjab University, Lahore
Inaugurated by Lt Gen (R) Arshad Mehmood, Vice Chancellor Punjab University, Lahore.
Islamic Calligraphic Exhibition Jul, 2004
Alhamra Art Council Lahore
Inaugurated by Aslam Kamal (Pride of Performance), a great artist of the country.
Islamic Calligraphic Exhibition Nov, 2004
Govt College University Lahore
Inaugurated by Prof. Dr. M. Akram Kashmiri, Dean of Science, Govt College University, Lahore.
Islamic Calligraphic Exhibition Nov, 2004
PU Library, Quid-e-Azam Campus, Punjab University, Lahore
Inaugurated by Lt Gen (R) Arshad Mehmood, Vice Chancellor Punjab University, Lahore.
Exhibition & Opening Ceremony of Waris Shah Poetic Illustrations Art Gallery Jul, 2005
Shrine of Pir Waris Shah, Jandiala Sherkhan near Sheikhupura
Inaugurated by Sheikh Zafar Iqbal, DCO Sheikhupura
Exhibition & Opening Ceremony of Art Gallery Apr, 2007
Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Punjab University, Lahore
Inaugurated by Lt Gen (R) Arshad Mehmood, Vice Chancellor Punjab University, Lahore.
Exhibition & Opening Ceremony of Art Gallery Aug, 2009
Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Peshawar University, Peshawar
Structured by Prof. Dr. Dost Muhammad Khan, Director Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre Peshawar University, Peshawar.
Exhibition & Opening Ceremony of Art Gallery Nov, 2009
PU Library, Quid-e-Azam Campus, Punjab University, Lahore
Inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Mujahid Kamran, Vice Chancellor Punjab University, Lahore.
Exhibition & Opening Ceremony of Art Gallery Feb, 2015
Gad & Birgit Rausing Library, LUMS, Lahore
Inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Sohail H Naqvi, Vice Chancellor LUMS, Lahore.
Sajda-tul-Qalam Jul, 2006
A book of Calligraphy & Asmaa-ul-Husna
Published by Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre Punjab University Quid-e-Azam Campus Lahore.
Surrah-tul-Muzammil Jun, 2015
Altafseer-ul-Murassa
Illustrated Quranic Surrah with Tafseer by Saeed Ahmad Bodla. Published by Idara Shuaa-e-Noor Sahiwal.
Oukhay Painday – The Difficult Journeys May, 1991
Punjabi Poetry
A book of Punjabi Poetry with illustrations and Poems by Saeed Ahmad Bodla. Published by Maktaba-e-Imtiaz Urdu Bazar Lahore.
Holy Quranic Prayers & Illustrated Stories Sep, 1992
Adhesive Sticker Series for Childeren
Published by Idara Al-Kitab, Urdu Bazar Lahore.
Research Articles
Various Newspapers & Magazines
Dozens of research articles on Art & Artists (Painters) and Inshayas & pleasant essays published in various Urdu newspapers & magazines.
| 1970
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Granted with a praiseful letter for Oil Paintings from Lahore Museum
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| 1976
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Participated in Group Exhibition of “Fann-e-Khattati” at Lahore Museum, under auspices of Daily Imroze with collaboration of Punjab Arts Council, Lahore.
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| 1978
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Granted with a praiseful letter for Islamic Calligraphic Paintings from the Student Union of Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad.
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| Granted with a praiseful letter for Ornamental Calligraphic Panels from Islamic Research Institute, Islamabad.
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| Presented 37 illustrated Calligraphic panels in miniature style of Surah-tul-Muzamil to President of Pakistan, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq at Chief of Army Staff House GHQs Rawalpindi.
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| 1983
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Participated in Group Exhibition of Paintings held in Fine Art Department, Punjab University Lahore under the auspices of Cultural Society of Punjab University Students Union.
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| Participated in Group Exhibition of Paintings held in Abaseen Art Gallery, Peshawar, under the auspices of Cultural Society of Punjab University Students Union.
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| 1991
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A book of Punjabi Poetry “Oukhay Painday” with illustrations and Poems by Saeed Ahmad Bodla was published by Maktaba-e-Imtiaz Urdu Bazar Lahore.
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| 1992
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Designed and Published the series of Quranic Prays and Artistic Children Stories in the form of adhesive stickers.
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| 1999
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Exhibition of Calligraphic Paintings in Holy month of Ramadan at Nimra Mosque, Johar Town, Lahore.
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| 2001
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First Solo Exhibition of Calligraphic Paintings and Illustrated “Asma-ul-Hasna” series at Ustad Allah Bukhsh Art Gallery, under the auspices of Alhamra Art Council, Lahore.
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| 2002
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Solo Exhibition of Calligraphic Paintings and Illustrated “Asma-ul-Hasna” series at Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Punjab University, Lahore. Inaugurated by a prominent artist Aslam Kamal (Pride of Performance).
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| One Day Calligraphic Exhibition for women at Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Punjab University, Lahore. Inaugurated by Begum Lt Gen (R) Arshad Mahmood, Vice Chancellor PU.
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| Participated and won the Consolation Prize under Professional Category in “All Pakistan Anti-Drugs Posters / Paintings Competition 2002” organized by ANF, Govt Of Pakistan at ‘Drug Abuse Prevention Resource Centre’ (DAPRC), Rawalpindi.
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| Participated in Group Exhibition of “Quran-e-Karim, Islamic Calligraphy and Asma-ul-Hasna” at Khana-e-Farhang, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lahore in the Holy month of Ramadan and was awarded by a Souvenir by the Director General, Muhammad Saeed Muizuddin.
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| Participated in Group Exhibition of Islamic Calligraphy at Alhamra Art Gallery, Lahore in the Holy month of Ramadan with collaboration of Punjab Council of the Arts, Lahore. Inaugurated by Syed Shoukat Ali Shah, Secretary Information of Pakistan.
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| 2003
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Solo Exhibition of Artistic Quranic Calligraphy on 20th Anniversary of Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, PU Lahore. Lt Gen (R) Arshad Mehmood, Vice Chancellor PU inaugurated the exhibition and awarded the Artist with a shield of compliments. Moreover, Saeed Ahmad Bodla presented two Calligraphic Paintings to VC for the Auditorium of Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Punjab University.
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| Saeed Ahmad Bodla donated a series of ten Quranic Calligraphic panels in order to decorate / organize the Auditorium of Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Punjab University for Welcome Party of New Students. Lt Gen (R) Arshad Mehmood, Vice Chancellor PU awarded the artist with a complimentary set of books in return.
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| 2004
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Solo Exhibition of Quranic Artistic Calligraphy at Alhamra Art Gallery under the auspices of Lahore Art Council, Lahore. Inaugurated by Musawwar-e-Iqbal Mr. Aslam Kamal (Pride of Performance).
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| Solo Exhibition of Quranic Artistic Calligraphy at Govt College University, Lahore in the Holy month of Ramadan. Inaugurated by Prof. Dr. M. Akram Kashmiri, Dean of Science, Govt College University, Lahore.
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| Solo Exhibition of Quranic Artistic Calligraphy at PU Library Quide-e-Azam Campus, PU Lahore in the Holy month of Ramadan. Inaugurated by Lt Gen (R) Arshad Mehmood, Vice Chancellor PU, Lahore.
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| 2005
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Lt Gen (R) Arshad Mehmood, Vice Chancellor PU, Lahore principally approved the establishment of a permanent Art Gallery in name of Saeed Ahmad Bodla at Punjab University Library, Lahore.
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| Solo Exhibition & Opening Ceremony of Waris Shah Poetic Illustrations Art Gallery at Shrine of Pir Waris Shah, Jandiala Sherkhan near Sheikhupura. Inaugurated by Sheikh Zafar Iqbal, DCO Sheikhupura.
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| 2006
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Participated in “All Pakistan Anti-Drugs Posters / Paintings Competition 2006” organized by ANF Punjab at Alhamra Art Council, Lahore. The Ceremony was chaired by Brigadier Babar Idrees, Chairman ANF Punjab who awarded Saeed Ahmad Bodla with the certificate for winning the third position in the said competition.
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| Opening Ceremony (Roonamai) of Islamic Calligraphic research book “Sajda-tul-Qalam” by Lt Gen (R) Arshad Mehmood, Vice Chancellor Punjab University, Lahore. Published by Prof. Dr. Jamila Shaukat, Director Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Punjab University, Lahore.
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| 2007
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Solo Exhibition, Seminar & Opening Ceremony of permanent Islamic Calligraphic Art Gallery at Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Punjab University, Lahore. Inaugurated by Lt Gen (R) Arshad Mehmood, Vice Chancellor PU, Lahore. The Seminar comprised of the lectures on Islamic Calligraphy delivered by worthy speakers including Mr. Aslam Kamal (Famous Artist), Prof. Dr. Khurshid Rizvi (Famous Writer, Scholar & Poet) and Mr. Javed Iqbal (Famous Cartoonist) followed by the closing address by the Chairman Lt Gen (R) Arshad Mehmood, Vice Chancellor PU, Lahore.
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| 2008
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Presented a Quranic Calligraphic Painting to Officers Mess, PAF Academy, Risalpur via FO Rehman Bodla (S/O Saeed Ahmad Bodla).
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| Solo Exhibition & Opening Ceremony of Islamic Calligraphic Art Gallery at Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Peshawar University, Peshawar. Structured by Prof. Dr. Dost Muhammad Khan, Director Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre Peshawar University, Peshawar.
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| 2009
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Group Exhibition of Islamic Calligraphy by Punjab Council of Arts Lahore. Inaugurated by Dr. Tanvir Islam Rana, Minister for Sports , Culture & Youth Affairs, Govt of Punjab.
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| Solo Exhibition & Opening Ceremony of Islamic Calligraphic Art Gallery at PU Library, Quid-e-Azam Campus, Punjab University, Lahore. Inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Mujahid Kamran, Vice Chancellor Punjab University, Lahore.
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| 2010
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Presented series of 30 printed panels of illustrated “Surah-tul-Muzammil” to Prof. Dr. Noushaba Ilyas, Chair-person of Fine Arts Department, Mirpur University of Science & Technology (MUST), Mirpur AJ&K for permanents display at the department.
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| 2011
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Participated in poster competition for the protection against Dengue Fever, sponsored by Punjab Council of the Arts, Lahore. The competition was inaugurated by Madam Zakia Shahnawaz, Advisor to Chief Minister.
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| Presented a Quranic Calligraphic Painting to Prof. Dr. Mujahid Kamran, Vice Chancellor of Punjab University and received a magnificent gift of Holy Quran.
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| Presented a Quranic Calligraphic Painting to No 15 Squadron, PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot via FL Rehman Bodla (S/O Saeed Ahmad Bodla).
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| 2012
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Participated in the joint exhibition of Calligraphy at Alhamra Art Gallery, Lahore, sponsored by Punjab Council of Arts in the Holy month of Ramadan. Inaugurated by Mr. Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, Seceretary Information, Culture & Youth Affairs, Govt of Punjab.
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| 2013
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Participated in the All Pakistan joint exhibition of Calligraphy at Alhamra Art Council, Lahore, sponsored by Punjab Council of Arts in the Holy month of Ramadan. Inaugurated by Madam Zakia Shahnawaz Khan, Minister of Population Welfare, Govt of Punjab.
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| Presented a Quranic Calligraphic Painting to Engineering Wing, PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot via FL Rehman Bodla (S/O Saeed Ahmad Bodla).
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| Donated an Oil Painted Calligraphic Panel to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust, Lahore. Which was auctioned along with the other donated paintings in Emirates Art Market for fund raising of the hospital.
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| Donated 126 Calligraphic Paintings to Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) Library to be displayed as a permanent Islamic Art Gallery.
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| Awarded with an appreciation shield by Maj Gen (R) Prof. Dr. Muhammad Aslam, Vice Chancellor of University of Health Sciences, sponsored by LUMS during an event organized by Library Society of Punjab for donating 126 panels of Islamic Calligraphy to LUMS, Lahore.
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| 2014
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Participated in the Art Exhibition arranged as a part of Punjab Youth Festival, sponsored by Punjab Council of Arts, Lahore and received a participation certificate from Mian M Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister, Govt of Punjab.
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| Presented 30 Quranic Calligraphic printed panels to “Pakistan Association of Blinds”, Sargodha for permanent display in the academy.
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| Participated in the joint exhibition of Calligraphy at Jinnah Hall, Sahiwal Arts Council, sponsored by Punjab Council of Arts. Inaugurated by Mr. Muhammad Siddique, Commissioner Sahiwal.
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| 2015
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Solo Exhibition & Opening Ceremony of Islamic Calligraphic Art Gallery at Gad & Birgit Rausing Library, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore. Inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Sohail H Naqvi, Vice Chancellor of LUMS. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ramzan, Director Library LUMS, Faculty and Students attended the ceremony. VC LUMS awarded a commemorative Souvenir to Mr. Bodla.
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| The book “Surah-tul-Muzammil” Altafseer-ul-Murassa an illustrated compilation by Saeed Ahmad Bodla was published by Idara Shua-e-Noor Sahiwal.
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| Participated in the joint exhibition of Calligraphy at Alhamra Art Gallery, Lahore, sponsored by Punjab Council of Arts in the Holy month of Ramadan. Inaugurated by Mr. Rana Arshad, Secretary Information Technology, Govt of Punjab.
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