Alhamra Digital Reference Library has been inaugurated after digitalization of various literary and other artworks was completed. Thanks to this, Pakistani arts and culture can be better preserved for future generations.
The digital records include books, drama scripts, records of artists, audio and video cassettes, vinyl records and more.
Lahore Arts Council Executive Director Athar Ali Khan inaugurated Alhamra Reference Digital Library, at Alhamra Art Centre, The Mall on Thursday.
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Digitalization of the works was carried out in phases. In the first phase, bibliographic details of 4,000 books on drama, fine arts, novel, drama, religion, social sciences, technology, English literature and Urdu literature were uploaded onto the ‘Koha Library Software‘. These works will be internationally accessible.
In the second phase, works were digitally stored and cataloged on the ‘D-space Library Knowledge Repository‘. Records include famous dramas such as “Aadhi Baat” by Bano Qudsia, “Taleem-e-Balighan” by Khawaja Moeen-ud-Din, “Uff Ye Biwian” Syed Imtiaz Ali Taj, “Phir Dekh Tamasha” by Sajjad Haider and many others.
Other works include:
- 660 drama scripts between the years 1957-1998 written by famous artistes;
- Bibliographic detail of 73 renowned personalities i.e. Anna Molka Ahmad, Colin David, Bano Qudsia, Dr. Enver Sajjad and Qavi Khan;
- 1,500 audio cassettes of different programs, such as Naat, Qawwali, Drama, Classical Music;
- 250 VCR films of drama, music, conference,
- 130 Vinyl Records of various Pakistani, Indian movies and English albums.
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The Next Phase
While digitalization of literary and audio-visual works has been completed, for its third phase, Alhamra will move onto press clippings.
Executive Director Athar Ali said in phase three, bibliographic details and digital form of the press clippings of Lahore Arts Council dated from 1985-onwards would be uploaded on ‘D-space Library Knowledge Repository‘.
Once the third phase of digitalization is completed all books, scripts, newspaper clippings and research articles will be made internationally accessible.
