Bandipora: She might look young, but her strokes on the canvas will never give you the feel that she is an amateur. Meet 19-year-old Tamseel Tabasum daughter of Manzoor Ahmad Bhat from Bazipora village of North Kashmir’s Bandipora who is now winning accolades for her unique painting skills.
Tamseel has been doing sketches and paintings since her childhood in order to take forward the legacy of her father—a poet.
She started painting professionally and was committed to her art, which for her was a form of meditation and a way to express her inner self on canvas. To her, art and the ability to create was not just priceless, but also a true blessing. To date, she has brought to life hundreds of pieces of art and exhibited her works throughout the Valley.
Tamseel’s greatest joy and inspiration has been and continues to be the happiness that she is able to bring to other peoples’ lives through her art. She finds inspiration in nature, music, books, etc, and believes in dwelling in the emotions of all forms of creativity, as these act as stimuli to her own imagination, helping her capture everything in every minute detail on canvas, be it an object, movement or person. Tamseel is known for using techniques that capture the difference in light, which brings each piece of art to life.
She is pursuing BFA (Bachelors in Fine Arts) at Kashmir University as well and she is a talented art designer.
She completed her Matriculation from Govt.school in Ajas in her native village, and 12th in Rajbagh Girls Higher Secondary Srinagar and she went to Kashmir University for her further studies where she is currently pursuing BFA.
She learnt Art designing during her school days when she was in 6th standard in JNV Baramulla when she first drew a painting and since then it became her hobby.
Tamseel says that in class 9th she made a portrait of Dr Sir Mohammad Iqbal, and after being inspired by this portrait she used to spend her time drawing paintings and got much interested in doing so.
She says that since then she never looked back and today she has got a good knack for painting while people appreciate her for this talent.
She said that her family has always supported and encouraged her in every field and in painting as well.
Tamseel said that due to non-availability of art academy she faced a lot of problems in making paintings as she worked very hard to brush up her skills in an efficient way and now by the grace of almighty she can paint easily.
She said that she can draw paintings on paper mache, Chinar Leaves, Stones and many more things.
She further added that, “I am thankful to my parents who supported me in every field I choose to be in as they never stopped me from doing anything.”
She said that, “I used to give my paintings to my friends and relatives who appreciate and love my work in return. I have been encouraged to bring my work in markets for gaining some good bucks out of that.”
On January 25 on the sidelines of programme “Beti Bachaw Beti Padaw” in mini secretariat Bandipora, she was awarded Rs.2000/= cash and appreciation certificate by the administration for an painting.
“I am too much inspired by our Deputy Commissioner who is IAS and a young and dynamic officer who cracked IAS in his first attempt,” she added.
She attributes her little success to her Botany Teacher Nusrat Andrabi, who boosted and motivated her.
“She noticed my inclination towards art and directed me with sanity. I will be always grateful to her and in the same year I was awarded by N.N Vohra the then Governor of Jammu and Kashmir that time in youth mela for my paintings.This was the turning point of my life and my interest towards arts reaches peak and i decided to opt this as my career,” she says. “My message to the youth is that don’t let your hidden talents get in vain. Be self confident and open the new roads of opportunities for yourself and for many like you,” Tamseel added. She further said that her aim is to become a good artist and want to open an art academy for youth talented in art designing. She believes that the locals have to come forward to support the local art and that, she believes, is the only option of making the local art gain some more ground.
