Society
Meet the self-taught female artist from Baramulla who specialises in portrait drawing
At the age of 20, talented and fearless Naveeda Hassan is creating a niche in the field of art and setting an example for the young generations of Kashmir. Naveeda is a self-taught female artist from Delina, Baramulla, who has been inclined towards art since her childhood. Self-taught female artist from Baramulla.
“I have been drawing people for a long. As a self-taught artist whenever I pick up a paintbrush or sit down to draw, my heart draws me towards portraits. Over the years, I have drawn portraits of many famous personalities of India as well as the world,” says Naveeda Hassan, a fifth-semester student at Government Women’s College Baramulla.
For Naveeda, art is a way of storytelling, giving life to her creativity. Over the years art has become her identity and she has done remarkably well and produced some eloquent work. The location of the artist’s studio is the key to finding a perfect harmony between inspiration and peace. In Naveeda’s studio that peace and inspiration are visible from every corner through the work that, she has maintained over the years. The portrait of Baghat Singh, Virat Kohli, and Nelson Mandela, besides the painting of lush green mountains and various calligraphy works are all eye-catching.
Everything in her studio has a deep message hidden behind it, one can consider this studio as her world of dreams, every small thing has meaning for her.
“I usually do portraits, calligraphy, wall painting, watercolours painting and stone art. Although, I have also worked on various other themes as well like nature, entertainment, and drug abuse. Presently I am trying to work on the social issues faced by women in our society like domestic violence and dowry. I will try to do a series on it,” says Naveeda while showing her artworks.
Naveeda considers Raja Ravi Varma as an inspiration because she feels his work depicts a story and inspires the common man. Raja Ravi Varma, an artist and painter, is considered a legend in the history of Indian art.
“There are many great artists, but I follow Raja Ravi Varma because his work has a unique attraction and message,” she says.
Apart from being an artist, Allah has bestowed Naveeda with a melodious voice. She recently won the first position in the online Naat competition organised by Indian Broadcasting and News Network (IBANN) and in the past, she has also won various Naat competitions held at zonal and district levels.
“Naat recitation is the God-given talent. I started reciting naats from Class 11. The more I tried it, the more I got better at it. It brought me more accolades and recognition. It’s all Allah’s blessing and nothing else,” she says.
Naveeda feels Kashmir is a big canvas for artists due to its unique culture, history, and picturesque beauty, but the government should come forward and provide them with a platform so that their talent won’t go waste.
In Kashmir, there is no dearth of talent be it art or anything else, but it goes unnoticed and overlooked because of the apathetic policies of the government. They should groom the young talent and encourage them for a better future and peaceful Kashmir,” says Naveeda.
Daughter of a farmer, Naveeda aspires to achieve ‘big’ in life and wants to see women of Kashmir gleaming in every field as she feels over the years women of Kashmir have faced a lot of discrimination on various fronts.
“In Kashmir, an artist is bound to many restrictions and when it is a woman, it becomes more challenging due to socio-political taboos. But I want to change this because everyone must have the right to express her or himself,” says Naveeda.
“Well informed and well-educated women play an important role in society. Their thoughts, ways of working and value systems lead to faster growth and development of the society. In the stability of women the society is stable,” says Naveeda.
“My message to the womenfolk of Kashmir is that if you have talent don’t hide it. Express it,” she concludes.
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