A Professional artist, Ahtishaam Khaja loves to experiment with colours
For Ahtishaam Khaja ,21, the last 5 years have been an important period as he discovered his artistic soul during this time. A self taught sketch artist Ahtishaam has made more than 100 sketches so far.
Residing in a backward area Budbugh Qaziabad the enthusiast began sketching in his 11th standard and says he always had an inclination and was into amateurish artwork, even before he took up making nuanced sketches.
“Till my 11th with non medical as my stream I wasn’t much inclined to art but had a friend Mursaleen who used to make paintings etc. While seeing him making the beautiful paintings, I got attracted and jealous in unison. So I also started to make paintings. Me and my friend were only non medical students in my higher secondary so I became this much passionate about art that I started missing my classes for it. I used to go tutorials in Handwara and after getting off from institute I used to go to a place surrounded by nature and practice my art there. After my 12th I contacted with a fine artist of Kashmir Waseem Jabroo who gave me tips and shown the pathway to go further in same area. Me and my friend became teacher for one another.He used to scold me while teaching but everytime I took it as a lesson till the time I realised that an artist lies with me. Our each discussion used to revolve around art only. Though it was my hobby but it turned into profession when I got admitted in Bachelor of applied arts in University of Kashmir but sadly for two consecutive years due to lockdown I stayed at home. I didn’t let myself down and didn’t let the lockdown to bridle me from doing my art. I kept painting and making sketches in lockdown, in fact I used the time of lockdown very wisely”. Said Ahtishaam.
Among the sketches Ahtishaam has made till now includes that of personalities from Bollywood to the sports arena. Ahtishaam says during the last five years of his foray into art, he has faced some difficulties as well but didn’t let them to become a hindrance to excel in his own built kingdom.
“Artists are among the most passionate people you’ll ever meet. They are the people that want to make your community proud. Their work is deeply personal to them and they want to make sure it matters when it’s done” says Ahtishaam. He is a firm believer in the support from people and government to the artists.
“After completing my Bachelors, I am looking for masters and the doctorate outside my country and want to make my parents who have been always supportive. I thank my parents for there tireless support and specially my grandmother who has been always there for me”. Added Ahtishaam.
Ahtishaam signs off with a message: “ I request every parent to support their child and don’t stop them from doing and excelling in good things. Every child is an artist if you allow them to discover”.