Srinagar: With an aim to save the heritage of Kashmir, a hundred odd students on Thursday painted their hearts out on canvas on the banks of scenic Nigeen Lake in Srinagar.
Participating in an event: ‘Art Competition for Students’, the students were sensitized about the vitality of rich Kashmiri heritage.
Divided into three categories: 12, 18 and above the age of 18, the students painted under three different themes revolving around Environment, Chinar and Kashmiri Architecture.
For about 2 hours, the participants pulled the strokes under the shade of Chinars in the gardens of Nigeen Club while Kashmiri music was being played in the background.
The event witnessed an interesting opening when satirist Zareef Ahmad Zareef addressed the students with his poems full of humour.
“Children should learn all the global languages. However, they should use the Kashmiri language as a way to communicate in order to keep their heritage alive,” Zareef impressed upon the participants.
“The way our language helps us to express, no other language can. English can helps us here… there but Kashmiri helps us in leading a better life,” he added.
Referring to the current issues concerning Kashmir Valley, he asked students to “draw whatever comes to their minds”.
The event was jointly sponsored by Books and Bricks Café, The Concept Crew, Parsa Foods and Beverages, KartFood, Kooks and Creatif Design and Concept group with FreePress Kashmir as its media partner.
Noted social entrepreneur and promoter of Rahim Motors, Abdul Hamid Bhat, shared his life experiences with the participants, encouraging them to respect their teachers and parents. He graced the occasion as the chief guest.
“I dropped out of the school. I failed in 10th standard,” he told the students, “but can you imagine, I was offered a fellowship in the US! I didn’t do anything. I just respected and loved my parents and teachers.”
“I don’t believe in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). I believe in common man’s social responsibility. Each one of us is responsible for our future. So, work for your future and save it,” he added.
Artists Showkat Katjoo, Aftab Ahmad Dhar, Yousuf Naqshbandi and Asif Iqbal adjudged the artwork of the participants.
Zeenat Bilal from Green Valley Educational Institute was declared winner in Under-12 category while as 2nd prize was won by Ahmad Pathan from Burn Hall School. Similarly, the third prize went to Zainab Arif from Oasis School.
In Under 18 category, M Momin Rafiqui, Syed Ruhan Qadri, from Burn Hall School bagged first and second prizes while as Hadiya Rashid from Presentation Convent School bagged the third spot.
Badrun Nissa Bhat, Manan Khan and Mohammad Obaid Khan won the first, second and third prizes in the above-18 category.
Ali Saifuddin, a young singer from valley was the special guest at the occasion who later joined Manan Khan and Sufiyan as they performed for the participants during the event.