Award winning Kulgam abstract artist on the cusp of giving up
Post by on Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Painting on drawing books during childhood has almost been everyone’s recreation activity. Then, over time, some find meaning in it. So, has the young boy in South Kashmir found peace of mind brushing his thoughts on the canvas.
Mudasir Rehman Dar, 27, who resides in Kulpora, a remote village of Kulgam district has recently created buzz with his miniature painting of Holy Kaaba on a finger ring stone.
However, the self-taught and award winning artist is now on the brink of giving it up. The reason he feels is the lack of attention and recognition of abstract art.
Dar would get awards at morning assembly in school during his 9th and 10th class, which encouraged him to continue the art. “I happen to be a self-taught artist, who would sketch human figures, mountains and birds but fewer people noticed it and I kept on my quest,” he told Rising Kashmir.
Then, he started making sketches on different types of social issues like drug addiction, child labour and abuse, women injustice and for a peaceful world.
He said, “The major turning point in my artistic journey was when I met the renowned artist of the valley Prof M A Mehboob.”.
Prof Mehboob used to teach Music and Fine Arts at University of Kashmir.
The young artist made M A Mehboob his inspiration and under his and other artists’ advice started making abstract paintings – contemporary abstract art or modern style art.
“After many well-known artists found in me special inbuilt abilities, which an artist develops after years of experience, they suggested that I go for abstract painting,” Dar said.
He impresses upon the fact that an artist must have creativity and imagination to survive in the field of art. “In 2017, I received a title award as ‘Artist of the District', from the state administration,” said Dar. In 2021, he achieved another feat when he received an award from the Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records.
“I got an idea of making a miniature painting (smallest) of Holy Kaaba on a finger ring (Neelam) and on a natural leaf. This painting made it to the India and Asia Book of Records,” he added.
He said, “Despite all these feats, artists like me are very disappointed with the government as we don’t get any attention. My family is almost forcing me to put an end to this skill because we don’t get much-needed attention in the field of art here. “Understanding abstract art is not easy and in Kashmir, we don’t get much honour while in western countries, we receive a lot of accolades online,” Dar added.
