A 23-year-old Kashmiri artist, Tabish Aijaz Khan has got an entry in both Asia book of records and India book of records for the maximum number of paintings on Chinar leaves.
Tabish, a self-taught artist hails from Iqbal Abad of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. She is currently pursuing MBBS from Dhakka, Bangladesh.
Tabish has been passionate about artwork since her childhood and started drawing paintings and cartoons since her primary classes.
“I started drawing paintings from my school days. After my schooling was over in 2016, I started posting my paintings on social media platforms where I received a huge appreciation and it encouraged me to paint more,” says Tabish.
During the Covid-19 lockdown, she made excellent use of her time by drawing more than 250 paintings on Chinar leaves. This act of her got her name into the Asia book and India book of records.
“After three months of investigation over my paintings, my name was entered into the record books. I was thrilled to hear the news. My family shared the same sentiment,” Tabish said.
Chinar leaves have always attracted Tabish as she found them the ambassadors of Kashmiri beauty.
“I often get attracted by Chinar leaves as they depict the beauty of Kashmir. So I made maximum of my paintings on Chinar leaves for my name was entered into the “India book of records, 2021,” says Tabish.
While pursuing her medical course, she still finds time to pursue her passion in arts. She showcases the culture and the natural beauty of Kashmir through her paintings.
The student of medicine aims to serve through her profession. Simultaneously, connected with the colours, she also intends to open an art gallery in her own district to showcase the beauty of Kashmir.
“To become a good working doctor and to serve people is my first priority. However, showcasing the positive side of Kashmir through my paintings gives me inner peace. So, I will follow both, my profession as well as my passion,” says Tabish.
In addition to painting on canvas sheets and papers, she paints on trash like egg shells, broken mugs, wooden blocks, plates, and stones. By adding colours to the waste she believes that it fills colour to her life and also serves as a stress reliever for her.
“By painting on waste objects, I transform them into beautiful art pieces. As I believe that nothing is useless. It depends how we perceive the different objects,” she says.
Tabish has no arts family background. She considers it a blessing from the Almighty. “Though, having no arts family background, both my parents have always supported me from the beginning and urged me to follow both my passion as well as profession”.
In her message to the youth she says,” We should always do what gives us peace of mind. Besides, parents should also support their children as they are their real backbone.”
