Srinagar: Much like its layered politics, talent often lies waiting to be discovered in Kashmir. Four years ago, this is precisely what many people found about themselves when the world entered the Covid-induced lockdown offering an opportunity to explore hidden skills.
An engineer with Jammu and Kashmir’s Power Development Department, Shazia Basharat was passionate about academics and sports. The last time she had picked up a brush was back in her school days during art competitions without much success.
But her return to art brought a renewed sense of purpose. During the pandemic induced indoors with her children, Shazia rediscovered herself as an artist through the strokes of her brush. This creative ritual has become part of her daily routine now.
"Even if I am tired after a full day of work, I try my best to paint daily. It helps me calm down," she said. "My inspiration lies in my kids and the beauty of Kashmir never ceases to amaze me," she added.
Shazia now exhibits her work alongside other budding artists in the lobby of a prominent mall in Srinagar. She and her counterparts form 'Second Lives Art Guild', a group of seven artists from multiple professional backgrounds. Their gallery of 50 paintings on display includes portraits, landscapes, cityscape and calligraphy works by these amateur artists.
From engineers to doctors and bankers, these artists are keen to build a larger community of like-minded creatives. They plan to host art camps for children, particularly those with potential but limited opportunities to follow their talent.
Set up after the pandemic, the Guild held its third two-day exhibition. The artists share a common passion for painting and sketching, balancing careers and personal lives and creativity under the motto -‘Keep your passion alive.”
Last year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized Srinagar among 49 cities in its Creative Cities Network under the Crafts and Folk Arts category. The Valley is celebrated for its rich tradition of arts and crafts, with many globally renowned artisans for crafts.
Originally a technocrat with Mtech, Samreen Nabi working in a bank is a self-taught artist who specialises in landscape and cityscapes from her childhood. She draws with both acrylic and oil on canvas but she says her heart belongs to the latter due to the diversity and freedom it offers.
"Every brushstroke is a reflection of my profound love for art turning each piece into a journey through my artistic soul," she told ETV Bharat.
"It is my hobby now to take an hour from my busy schedule and paint in night on a daily basis. But I use a brush in the day-time on holidays," added Nabi.
During the Covid lockdown, according to Nabi, many people started exploring their talents and that is what brought this group together two years ago.
"Now we are widening the platform and offer youngsters to exhibit their works too. These events can channelise the energy of young people and wean away them from negative things like drug abuse. It can boost their morale and make them achieve more feats," she added.
Inspired by these artists, Sameer Shafi, a young calligraphy artist, is one of those seeking to learn from them. Standing behind his frames, he finds Kashmir’s artists are unmatched but need little fine-tuning and handholding.
"There's hidden talent in Kashmir but many lack the platform to explore it. Some are falling into addiction but they need to avoid it and discover their potential,” he added.
