Amid Covid, calligraphy witnesses resurgence in Kashmir

Umaisar Gull Ganie
Srinagar, Dec 30: The coronavirus pandemic may have caused widespread disruptions, affected health systems and living conditions and pushed many parts of the world into recession. However, it has also come as a boon for the revival of traditional art and crafts.
The unwanted lockdown facilitated youth in Kashmir to stay indoors and showcase their talent in Calligraphy and other artworks.
As lockdown forced people to stay indoors, dozens of Calligraphers were busy in making their beautiful artwork and exhibiting them on different social media platforms.
Naveed Abdullah a B Tech pass out from Redwani Kulgam said he was interested in art work since childhood but during lockdown he spent most of his time on it thereby helping in improving his art work.
“My father who is a health official was associated with this art wasn’t supporting me because according to him there is no scope of artwork in Kashmir, however, during lockdown, I got time to enhance my skill,” he said.
Asif Manzoor a B.SC pass out from Sopore said that during Covid lockdown he also got time to improve his artwork.
“Spending time with artwork is the best way to stay away from bad things especially from drug addiction,” Asif said.
Mir Afreen a young self-taught calligrapher from Srinagar who is also an MBBS student said that during the lockdown period, she made a lot of customised calligraphy and sold them.
“I make at least one calligraphy artwork daily to ensure that my skills remain sharp,” she said.
Azra Khan a PhD scholar from Srinagar also said that despite her busy schedule, she spent some time to do some calligraphy.
“During lockdown I got an opportunity to spend more time on my artwork, after which I get offers from people to make artwork,” she said, adding that youth must spend their spare time in constructive things.
Mudasir Rehman Dar (26) another artist from Kulgam who even paints the world’s smallest painting of Holy Kabbah on ring stone and leaf also said that he got time during lockdown to display his talent.
However, Mudasir said that he is carving for a platform to keeping the momentum going on to display his real talent and to teach others as well. (KNO)