Srinagar’s Regal Chowk houses a rare art gallery which is becoming an opportunity for local artists to display their creative work, attract local talent and has become a site for tourists.
In March 2022, a civil engineer, Iajaz Ahmed Naqshbandi who is currently the C.E.O of Aesthetics Consultants & Contracting Company along with his wife, Dr SamiaFazili established Kashmir’s first commercial art gallery – Aesthetics Art Gallery in Srinagar.
Before establishing the fascinating private art gallery, the couple worked in Saudi Arabia for nearly three decades and came back to Kashmir in 2018.
The 63-year-old Naqshbandi, who is not a professional painter, has pursued painting as his passion and hobby.
“In school I used to draw and paint but I gave up my artwork during the course of my professional studies because of time constraints. However, some years ago, my eldest daughter inspired me to commence painting again. She brought me special oil paints and a painting brush set and the rest is history. I painted pictures and sceneries, mainly landscapes based on my childhood memories of various wetlands, forests and natural habitats of Kashmir,” he said.
He has so far made around 70 paintings and most of them are on display in the gallery.
The unique art gallery not only displays his work but also the work of calligraphy artists, works of wildlife photographers like Reyan Sofi and Umar Naqshbandi, who have captured pictures of rare bird species, insects etc. in the wetlands and lakes.
Pictures of around 300 bird species have been captured, most of which are on display in the gallery. He said now Kashmiri are linking themselves with this gallery and this is the gallery where people from all walks of life come and have a visit and feel connected.
“We encourage the local talent and the artists to come forward and help us in this regard. We are trying to preserve our ecosystem including wetlands. We also want to create awareness among people, especially the youth, as nature is very fragile given the current global climate changes,” said Naqshbandi.
Naqshbandi is also working in collaboration with NGOs on the conservation of water bodies and lakes.
“Kashmir has a background of a very rich culture. Through my paintings, I am trying to re-create and inspire youngsters to appreciate the value of our cultural heritage. If anyone comes to this gallery and goes through the paintings, they will find that magic, that essence and appreciate the vibrancy of colours and passion I put into my paintings,” he said.
Naqshbandi who has worked especially in the telecom sector in Saudi Arabia said much more needs to be done at the school and college levels in Kashmir to create awareness about preservation of natural habitat.
Naqshbandi, Alumni of then Regional Engineering College (REC) Srinagar, wants to reach the far-fetched places in the valley where children have very few resources.
“It will give them a chance to explore, learn, educate themselves and at the same time enjoy the art of painting and photography.”
While sharing his travel experiences of foreign countries, he said across different countries and different cultures, there are art galleries and these are hubs that people visit.
“The art gallery that we established is a space for a section of society that are concerned about culture, history, architecture and art,’’ he said.
Over the past one year, the art gallery, which is ISO certified, has been receiving a lot of encouragement from different organizations in Delhi and Maharashtra. It has also invited the attention of some of the renowned artists in India.
“Locals as well as tourists have been to the gallery and it gives me immense pleasure to see that people feel happy and forget everything when they visit the gallery,’’ he said.
With an aim to boost artistic talent among young and talented students, under the umbrella of the art gallery, they have been organizing awareness programs in schools in Srinagar.
“Any local artist, whether a painter, photographer or calligrapher is welcome to display their work in the gallery,” he said.
One of the freelance photographers, whose pictures have been displayed in the gallery, has been appreciated for his work by the Wildlife Conservation Department for taking pictures of Hokersar Wetland.
“People are now aware that there is something in Kashmir. There are people who are now looking forward to it. At least the people who come to Kashmir from outside and visit such galleries get a chance to connect and associate themselves. There is a place for them to visit,” said Naqshbandi.
The art gallery is also a platform for artists who really toil hard and have passion for photography and art, he concludes.
Dr Samia, who is the director of the art gallery, reiterates that the gallery is open for all, irrespective of age, their experience and gender.
