Basit Mushtaq, a Charcoal and Graphite Artist from Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir practiced watching videos on YouTube. When he started painting, he did not get any support. Then he watched tutorials on YouTube. Earlier, Basit used to make charcoal sketches. He says, artists do not get the right support in Kashmir. Even if exhibitions are held, only artists are present, people do not come, says the artist.
His cousin Abdul Zamin says, Basit was interested in arts since childhood. He faced ups and downs, sometimes getting family support and other times not getting support. The society also at times creates problems. Now at last the society is recognising his work and the family is also behaving in an encouraging way. We relatives feel very proud of him, said his cousin.
Many budding artists find the materials expensive which are not easily available in Kashmir. But Basit says, art is not bound to expensive materials. Art is free. So I changed my genre to give a fitting reply to society. He thanked the District Administration Pulwama and expressed hope that he is promoted on international platform so that he can showcase his talent to the world. His cousin feels that exhibitions should be held of his work so that other artists are encouraged to produce works of art.
Kashmiri Artist Basit Mushtaq presented a painting of J&K LG Shri Manoj Sinha to him at the exhibition. The LG was happy and appreciated his art work. Basit made an appeal to the LG that art should be given a good platform in Kashmir.