Why Ushna Shah Says Her Heart “Shattered” Over 19th-Century South Asian Paintings

Pakistani actress Ushna Shah recently shared an emotional Instagram story describing a thread of 19th-century paintings as “A must-see thread. shattered my heart.” The collection, Hindustan through the Eyes of Edwin Lord Weeks, features works by the American Orientalist painter (1849–1903), who extensively documented life across the Indian subcontinent with remarkable realism.

Weeks traveled across South Asia, sketching and photographing architecture, rituals, and daily life. His paintings include iconic landmarks such as Lahore’s Wazir Khan Mosque, bustling streets filled with elephants and townsfolk, and the serene Golden Temple in Amritsar. Multiple depictions of the Taj Mahal, framed by women in traditional attire and glowing under sunset hues, showcase Weeks’ mastery of light, scale, and cultural storytelling.

Beyond monuments, Weeks captured intimate moments of daily life—ritual bathing on river ghats, busy markets, and interactions under the harsh South Asian sun. Paintings like “At the Office of the Ledger” highlight commercial activity within ornate architecture, while “Where Two Paths Cross” reflects fleeting human encounters. Royal and military scenes further depict the grandeur of princely courts, ceremonial assemblies, and meticulously detailed cavalry, emphasizing structure and cultural hierarchy.

Ushna’s emotional response reflects more than aesthetic admiration. The works evoke nostalgia, loss, and reflection for a shared history and cultural traditions that have since transformed or vanished due to colonisation, partition, and modernization. Unlike many Orientalist artists, Weeks insisted on authenticity over imagination, giving modern viewers a rare window into the South Asia of the late 1800s.

Known for versatile roles in dramas like Bashar Momin and Parizaad, Ushna Shah has a background in theatre and is a York University graduate. She is also an animal rights activist, reflecting a broader engagement with culture, history, and social awareness that aligns with her reaction to Weeks’ evocative artwork.