Sopore’s self-taught painting artist wins national accolade

Sopore, Jul 20: Rouf Qayasi, a resident of Sopore in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, who isa teacher by profession, has made a name for himself in the world of painting over the past 30 years.

Rouf Qayasi revealed that his passion for painting began in childhood, and he first stepped into this art form during his school days. Over time, he created thousands of different artworks, being a self-taught artist. “Painting was just a hobby for me, but I never realized when this hobby turned into an obsession,” he said.

Qayasi has worked with some of the country’s finest artists not only in Jammu and Kashmir but also in other states, and his work has been widely appreciated. He has won several prestigious awards, including Cultural Academy Award, MF Husain Award and Raja Ravi Varma Award.

Talking about his artistic journey, he mentioned that in the early days, paintings were mostly created in black and white, but times have changed.

“Nowadays, I focus mainly on Abstract Art, which is well-received even outside India,” he said.

Qayasi has also held several solo exhibitions in Jammu and Kashmir. “Every day, many children visit me to learn about this art form. These kids are full of talent, but the only thing they lack is proper infrastructure,” he added.

Expressing his vision for the future, Rouf Qayasi said, “I wish for an academy dedicated to Abstract Art to be established in Jammu and Kashmir so that this talent does not go to waste.” Apart from being a painter, Qayasi is also a writer and has authored more than twenty short stories.