"Rang-do" Multan project was completed by District Govt

MULTAN:The wall and gates of ancient city of Multan were rehabilitated by the Italian Government. Waiting place was also constructed by the visitors of the city outside the Haram-gate. Standing at the historical Damdama, a massive block of a building, the city of Garma(heat), Gard(dust), Gada (beggar)  and Goristan (graveyards) presents an eye catching view of wearing rainbow around the oldest walled city buildings reflecting multi-shades of colours in sun light in the pre-final phase of ‘Rang Do Multan’ campaign.

The city district Government with the collaboration paint companies completed the Rang-do" Multan project mere with an expe4nditure of Rs.5 million .The walled city residents say building colors not only leave deep effects on human life, improving the work environment but also its impacts reflect from man-made architectural environment.

“The Rang Do campaign has changed our environment, reducing tension, bringing happiness, business activity and rejoice” Shabbir Qureshi says. He runs a butcher shop in the walled city and deals 60-70 customers daily.

The campaign Rang Do Multan has focused old buildings across the historic al Haram Gate Square,  Ghantha Ghar Square and Damdama resort in the city. The campaign magnifies the historical importance of Multan and attracts tourists to the city. The historical monuments and buildings have become distinct and visible.

Citizens have welcomed Rang Do Multan, say it changes the look of old thickly populated residential areas across the walled city.

“We feel happy as the colored exteriors of buildings presents quite new and different look and visitors visiting us really inspired from the work in different colors and designs”, Wasif Butt says. He lives in Haram Gate Square and a businessman by profession.Haram Gate Square is located on circular road and it is one of the ancient gates when the city was limited in the walled area, hundreds years back. 

Colors have significant impact on human psychology, culture and life. The colored environment has influence working performance, developing negative and positive perceptions to surroundings and influencing moods and motions in all segments of human life. Medical physicians say colors have key role in motivating brain in the subjective and objective basis of environment.

A senior physician at Multan Nishtar hospital Dr Imran says, “The environment and its colors are perceived and the brain process, judging what it perceives on an objective and subjective basis. It always plays a role in revolutionary process of human brain. The brain receives environment and its colors, process and judges what it perceives on an objective and subjective basis”. 

The walled city political workers say “Rang Do Multan” brings positive change in life. They say colors have their own mechanism and meanings and they effect the environment positively and negatively.

“The color red can increase blood pressure and pulse rate so people avoids using red color in exterior of houses”, a PTI activist Khalid Mehmood Qureshi says. He lives in the area of Hanoon Ka Chaja, an oldest and ancient area. Streets are narrow one of the congested and thickly populous areas where houses are attached with other in cemetery.  Rang Do Multan, is a part of project ‘Urban Regeneration designs to attract visitors’ esthetic sense through paints and it could also contribute in the process of urban regeneration and urbanization to boost socialization and tourism.

Muhammad Zeeshan is the resident of Ghantha Ghar, he says everything look different and enchanting in the area. “Historical buildings in the area paint in multi-colored shades, promotes ancient cultural heritage in the area”

Rang Do Multan project manager Dr Hassan Siddiqui says over 300-400 buildings are targeted to color across Haram Gate Square, Ghantha Ghar and walled city and Rs 5 million has been allocated for the completion of goals.

“One of the key objectives behind ‘Rang Do Multan’ campaign is to revive the centuries old Bethaks culture when people sit in circle to discuss issues of mutual interest. The socialization of youth is another objective, provide them awareness on ancient history, culture”, Dr Hassan Siddiqui says.

“The campaign enhances the beauty of the district Multan through paint work and increasing the historic importance of historic squares of Haram Gate, Ghanta Ghar and resort de development of historic Damdama”, says Hassan Siddiqui.

Rang Do Multan project has been devised for the sustainability of walled City Project. It reinvigorates the historic importance of Haram gate square as a traditional sitting place of the local people and public gatherings.

Akhtar Butt runs a pharmaceutical store in front of Ghantha Ghar [Clock Tower] says color is a tool you can use to alter your own mood, behavior and performance. A different Multan has appeared following the campaign and beautification attracts citizen as well as tourists.The beautification of the project area is not only reinforcing the work of renovation and conservation but it also has immense potential for national and international tourism which in turn could strengthen the local community.

Ali Hassan Bhutta lives in Haram Gate area says streets and Muhallahs present an eye catching view. “My house exterior is colored with the green. It is most associated with nature, and sometimes signifies good luck or money”, Ali says. 

Multan Deputy Commissioner Nadir Chattha creates the idea of ‘Rang Do Multan’, reflecting colored Multan in the background of historical monuments.

“The campaign continues until June next. It continues under Urban Regeneration Project and exterior of majority buildings is covered by weather shield emulsion at historical Haram Gate”, Wasim Yousaf, a spokesman to the City District Government says.