“Dada is best known for bringing modern architecture to Pakistan”
Nayyar Ali Dada is one of the most celebrated architects in Pakistan. He is the pioneer in revolutionizing the field of architecture in our country. Since the time he was student till date, Dada has been active in the field and aspires young students in many different ways.
Early life
Nayyar Ali Dada was born on 11th November 1943 in Delhi, now India. In the early 1950s his family migrated to Lahore, Pakistan. He finished his basic education from the University of Punjab before enrolling in the National College of Arts(NCA) in 1957. National college of arts is one of the most prestigious art school of Pakistan and the education he got their transformed his personality completely which was later reflected in his work.
He graduated from NCA but chose to remain attached with the school and started working as a lecturer.
Shakir Ali Museum
Dada developed a close bond with the principal of NCA; Shakir Ali. The closeness soon blossomed into a close-knit friendship and later on Nayyar designed Shakir Ali’s house in garden town, Lahore which later on,was converted into Shakir Ali museum to commemorate his services in the field of arts.
Career
Nayyar Ali Dada is a born artist. Since he completed his education he has stayed connected with the world of arts in one way or another. He has been actively involved in the creative arts taking place in Pakistan as a prestigious watercolorist or an architect. He is a board member of many art institutions and advisor to many cultural avenues. Nayyar Ali Dada was named as a fellow of the college in 1976 for his services to the institute i.e. National College of Arts. He is one of the most well-known advocate of local arts and crafts, music and literature.
In 1978, Nayyar Ali Dada formally started practicing as an architect under the banner of Nayyar Ali Dada & Associates. Dada has always been a modernist at heart; though his style has evolved from that to a regional modernist with a strong sense of context and an endeavor to exploit the true identity of Pakistani architecture through his designs. Nayyar started his career mainly with residential projects. Soon enough in his career; he experimented with brick on a low cost apartment blocks called Rivaz garden flats which later on became a trademark of Nayyar Ali Dada’s buildings.
Famous Work
Nayyar Ali Dada is a prized architect who is recognized all over the world for his brutalist approach in modern architecture.
One of the finest project which rose him to a new level of stardom was the Shakir Ali Auditorium at his alma mater NCA. This was a project he did early in his career but yearned him accolade from all around the architectural world. This project put him on the world map directly.
Alhamra Arts Council:
Alhamra Arts Council brought him world-wide recognition for his design and concept. This mega scale project redefined the language of architecture in the walled city that is bringing back the native red brick buildings.
Renovating and extending the Gaddafi Stadium brought accolade to Nayyar Ali Dada from around the world and he became champion in amalgamating the heritage red brick into modern buildings without destroying the harmony.
MCB House:
MCB house is one of the most famous work of dada which paved his name as an architect who plays in modernism.
Quaid-E-Azam Library:
Quaid-e-Azam library is a beautiful that oozes serenity and peace with its white demeanor
In the late 90s and 2000s; Nayyar Ali Dada designed and constructed many large scale project with his trademark style like the MCB House, Quaid-E-Azam Library and HBL Regional Office.
Grand Jamia Mosque Karachi:
One of his most recent project is grand jamia mosque under construction in Bahria Town, Karachi. Once constructed it will be the largest mosque in Pakistan and third largest in the world.
Few famous buildings on his credit are:
- Shakir Ali Museum, Lahore
- Grand Jamia Mosque, Bahria Town Karachi
- Alhamra Arts Council, Lahore
- BCCI Bank, Sri Lanka
- Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- Serena Hotel, Islamabad
- Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre
- Lahore Zoo
- Faisalabad Arts Council
Accolades and Recognition
- For his remarkable services and presenting a positive image of Pakistan across the globe, Nayyar Ali Dada was presented with Pride of Performance Award by the Government of Pakistan in 1992.
- He is the only Pakistani recipient to receive the Aga Khan Award for architecture in 1998.
- Dada received Sitara-i-Imtiaz award by government of Pakistan in 2003
- Recently he has been awarded with Hilal-i-Imtiaz award by the President of Pakistan in 2018.
Nayyar Ali Dada is the pride of the country, a star architect and a living legend. He has strived to unearth Pakistan’s true architectural face throughout his prosperous career. He is a power pack force who is unstoppable and has proven himself through his work.
Also Read: Le Corbusier – The Father of Modern Architecture
