Kashmir artists revive world famous Bashuli painting

Kathua (J-K), Oct 2 (ANI): A group of women in Jammu and Kashmir have taken an initiative to revive an age-old Bashuli painting genre.

The painting, originating from Bashuli village in the state, was patronised by the Mughal emperors. It was in its zenith before it gradually disappeared.

Years of neglect and government apathy forced the locals to breathe life into the dying art by learning and disseminating the art form.

The budding women artists are now learning the fine strokes of the brushes from Shakeel Ahmed Raja, a teacher-cum-painter.

Ahmed who is a school teacher by profession gives painting lessons to his women students in his spare time.

"I'm happy that without any government help we have started to create awareness about Bashuli painting. So the age-old painting once again becomes successful and world famous like it was in earlier times," said Shakeel Ahmed.

For women students who squeeze out time for the painting class from their daily chores, it's an opportunity to learn and revive the age-old art form.

"I could not pursue it in my childhood. But now I'm enjoying this painting. I'm enjoying it a lot. I'm putting my heart and soul into it. This will be useful throughout my life. If I can't do much in the field I can at least teach my kids," says Sushma Devi, a budding artist.

Bashuli paintings, which originated at least 300 years ago, generally depict Hindu gods and goddess or kings and queens of he Mughal period. (ANI)