Tsuktiben Jamir
Manzooz Ahmad Bhat has carved out a unique space for himself in the world of art. He collects stones and rocks from the trekking routes of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Ladakh. Bhat, a 34-year-old artist from Ganderbal district in central Kashmir, uses mortar to grind these stones and rocks, extracting their vibrant and natural colours to create captivating artworks. Recently, his creations garnered significant attention at an exhibition held in Srinagar.
In an interview with PTI, Bhat expressed his lifelong fascination with paintings and distinctive art forms, which continue to inspire him. Now, his own creations have become a subject of admiration for many, establishing him as the sole artist in Kashmir engaged in this particular craft.
Bhat explained that his art is born from stones collected from various mountainous regions, including Marsar, Gangbal, Gaddar, Tarsar, Sonamarg, Vishnusar in Ganderbal, and predominantly from Ladakh. However, acquiring the right stones is a challenging task, as it requires considerable time and effort.
Bhat described his artistic approach and stated that the stones he chooses are such that may be crushed but are not too soft. According to him, after being collected, the stones are crushed, graphs are sketched on plywood, and the crushed stones are then used to create paintings. Bhat, a self-taught artist in this field, said his family has always supported him in his endeavour.
He said, “My family has always been my supporters, they have helped me reach this platform. My seven-year-old daughter is learning this art from me. Many people approached me to learn this art. But it requires patience and so, many of them walked away.”
Over the years, Bhat’s art has attracted a large following, and now he wants to exhibit his works both nationally as well as internationally. He received help from the Kashmir Department of Handicrafts to exhibit his works. Bhat met Mehmood Ahmed Shah, the Director of Handicrafts and Handloom, who was impressed by his work. Shah said that his office works to promote lesser-known artists and link them with customers and e-commerce websites. Bhat is the first artist in Kashmir to produce such incredible works, and he hopes that people would buy and value his work.
“The director gave me a registration number and asked me to show my artwork. After seeing my work, he welcomed my initiative, work of art and encouraged me as well. This is a one-of-a-kind art form. I want my art to reach every art lover,” Bhat said.
