Kashmiri artists wants an art gallery in the valley

The Kashmiri artists are impressed with the Kala Kendra in Jammu and want the Govt to establish a similar art gallery in Kashmir, reports Faisul Yaseen.

The Kashmiri artists are impressed with the Kala Kendra in Jammu and want the government to establish a similar art gallery in Kashmir.

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Kala Kendra in Jammu is one of the biggest art galleries in north India and the Kashmiri artists apart from artists all over the country participated in the six-day exhibition organised by the Jammu and Kashmir, Academy of Art, Culture and Languages from December 1.

Aftab Ahmad, who has been painting contemporary Indian art since last 35 years says that there is a need to have a similar art gallery in Kashmir. "The youth in Kashmir are inclined towards art and are highly talented. All they need is a art gallery like this where their art can be appreciated," said Ahmad, who is the HoD Paintings at the Institute of Music and Fine Arts (IMFA) at Kashmir.

"Fine art transcends all languages. Paintings were the first human expression," he said adding that the tourists who visit Kashmir from all over the world search for the works of the Kashmiri artists.

"An art gallery would have done a world of good to Kashmir and its artists," Aftab said and goes on, "We can't display our sketches on roadsides."

Shafi Chaman of the south Kashmir district of Anantnag, whose paintings are about the triangular aspect of human behavior, says talent in Kashmir is enormous in arts but the means and the exposure are little.