Iqbal: Poet of the East

Sir Mohammad Iqbal (1877-1938), Iqbal: Poet of the East, Lahore: Nissar Art Press, 1968

462 pages including 39 tipped-in colour plates, 24 photogravures, 8 calligraphic plates and 1 etching; each painting and photogravure has the English translation of Iqbal's quatrain on which it is based on the facing page; full clot binding with fine dust jacket accompanied in a pictorial wooden slip case
13.9 x 11.6 x 1.9 in (35.5 x 29.5 x 5 cm)

Former Pakistan President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq's (1924-88) signed presentation copy inscribed: 'With my best wishes to Mr Kazuo Miyamoto - 24 August 1981'

Introduction by Justice S A Rahman. According to a publicity brochure for the book, issued by Chughtai, the edition was limited to 275 copies. The book has 72 works by Chughtai, most of which were painted by him after 1950 specially for this work and are not to be found in other books by him. He had this idea to publish a book on Iqbal's poetry in 1953 but financial troubles to carry out the massive and lavish project took him 15 years to complete it. The Government of Pakistan approved a grant for the book but due to change in government he could get only part of it. The final cost was Rs. 3 lakh and it was marketed at the then prohibitive price of Rs. 1500 / $ 315 / 131 British pounds according to the publicity brochure for the book.

Abdur Rehman Chughtai was a painter and an intellectual artist, who was inspired by Mughal art and Miniature painting to create his own exclusive style. He was also an etcher, engraver, architect, calligrapher, naqash (decorative art), photographer, photo-lithographer, textile, and jewellery designer. He also wrote short stories and articles on art. He designed stamps, coins, insignia, and book covers.

Before Partition, he was known as the greatest living artist of India. After Partition, he was officially recognized as the National Painter of Pakistan. He was given the title of 'Khan Bahadur' by the British Raj in 1934, and was awarded Pakistan's second highest civilian award, 'Hilal-i-Imtiaz' in 1960, and the Presidential medal for Pride of Performance from the Government of Pakistan in 1968