Kashmiri Painters – Painters of the Paradise

Kashmir is rightly called the ‘Paradise on Earth’ not only due to its picturesque locations, beautiful gardens, and ice-covered mountains, but also because of its immense contribution to the culture and heritage of our country. The valley has given us numerous gems in the field of art, ranging from poets and writers to musicians and actors. Here in this article, we will be talking about some very famous painters of the valley and their renowned works which reflect the Kashmiri culture and everyday life.

1. Dina Nath Walli (1908-2006)

Dina Nath Walli, better known by his pen name ‘Almast Kashmiri’ was a renowned watercolor artist whose paintings depicted everyday scenes of Kashmir. He lived in Srinagar and his works mostly involved landscapes based on different locations and visuals in the city. Apart from painting he also took a keen interest in poetry which is evident by the two well-known collections of his poetry namely “Bala Yapair” (Side of the mountains, 1955) and “Sahaavukh Posh” (Desert Flowers, 1981). His most renowned watercolor works include Riverside Temple (1956), A Houseboat in Moonlight (1967), River-side Shops Srinagar(1946), Dal Lake from above Shalmar Garden(1954), etc. All of them depict the routine visuals of Srinagar. He received gold medals from the Government of Kashmir in 1939 and the Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta in 1940 for his significant contributions to the field of art. 

2. Manohar Kaul (1925-1999)

Manohar Kaul, another Srinagar born artist, was one of the best-known painters in the 20^th century. Most of his art included the naturescapes which depicted the grandeur and immense beauty of the valley. He was conscious of the tensions and unrest in the valley but his work never reflected these negative aspects because he believed that the will to change could only arise if people realized how beautiful their homeland was and what they were doing to it. His paintings exhibited a blend of contemporary art and modern impressions. His proficiency as an artist is evident by the fact that he secured the First Grade in the City and Guilds Institute,  London Unversity Examination in painting and was one of the first few Indians to achieve this feat. He also served as the President and Chairman of the All-India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS). 

3. Gulam Rasool Santosh (1929-1997)

G. R. Santosh was another prominent Kashmiri poet-painter born in a middle-class Muslim family in old Srinagar. He left school soon after his father’s death and took up petty jobs like writing, whitewashing, painting, etc. to make ends meet and support the family. His life changed in 1954 when he won a scholarship to learn fine arts under the renowned Indian painter N.S Bendre, in Baroda. In the early 1960s, he studied ‘Tantric art’ and ‘Kashmir Shaivism’. He later became a master of both and his paintings which are known for their vibrant colors and spirituality are considered one of the best examples of modern Tantric works. 

4. Veer Munshi

Veer Munshi, another eminent personality in the field of art was born in 1955. Born and brought up in Kashmir, his initial paintings were all about the natural beauty and grandeur of the valley which he depicted in the form of landscapes which were all very pretty. But he, like many other innocent Kashmiri pundits, became a victim to the exodus of the late 20^th century, where he saw and suffered extreme turmoil and finally had to migrate to Delhi in 1990, leaving behind his motherland. This suffering and oppression are reflected in his works since then which are aimed at showing the atrocities and bringing forth the real Kashmir before the world. 

Conclusion

It is evident from the above discussion that Kashmir is home to numerous eminent personalities in the field of art. Their work reflects the culture, society, and traditions of both ancient and modern India and is well renowned all over the world. These Indian artists teach us that we should adapt ourselves to the shenanigans of the modern world but should never compromise with our traditions and culture. Our lives should be a fusion of tradition and modernity.