Srinagar, 27 January: A 22-year-old Mir Andleeb Bashir, a self-taught calligrapher and student of visual arts, from the Arampora area of Ganderbal is winning hearts on social networking sites for her stunning pencil made sketches.
Mir Andleeb in an interview with this reporter said that she had been driven to pursue art since she was in her early childhood.
“After clearing my matriculation exam, I opted for Super Medical stream (Science+Math) and was unable to focus much on this art for some time,” she said, adding “Later, after +2, I was got admission in the civil engineering programme but due to my passion, I was unable to complete my degree.”
“Soon after discussing my dream job with parents, an unfortunate lockdown started in the country and i had nothing to do, it was bit difficult time for everyone to stay inside their home, in order to get engaged with something. I started working on my sketch skills and my parents and family appreciated me,” she said, adding “I was so obsessed with art and i wanted to pursue my carrier in same field, but I didn’t know there is a particular institution for the same and we can get a professional degree , I came to know bout institute of music and fine arts Kashmir University, but my parents didn’t wanted me to join but because I insisted i got admission there. And it’s my 2nd year in the institution.”
Andleeb says she's been drawing and painting since she was a child, but limited sources are a major hurdle in finding her dream.Her family has always supported and encouraged her in all areas, including painting, she said.
Andleeb says, she credits her small success to her mother, adding she can also paint on papier-mâché, chinar leaves, and rocks.
She wants to be a good artist, Andleeb believes that local people need to come forward to support local art, and that this is the only way to make local art more widespread.
Her main goals are to work with women, raise her awareness of the abuse of women, and help people understand what art can do and what its scope is.
“The lines I draw with a pencil on paper are getting more interesting day by day, and my sketches are getting sharper,” she said. "That's where I started thinking about honing this art," she said, adding, “It's the same with this art, painting in a certain pattern creates a masterpiece."
Her message to the youth is, “never compromise on your dreams, don't hide your talents, art have a very wide field, this field never leave artist hungry. You can easily earn bread by pursuing your dreams.”
