The love of art can transcend all social, political and emotional boundaries. It is this belief that took a propitious artist, Anjum Mohammadi, from Pakistan to India just to display her art work
In the city of Karachi lives a petite woman – Anjum Mohammadi. She teaches art and craft in a kindergarten school, and practices her hobby of painting during her free time. And she is in Hyderabad to showcase art all the way from Pakistan in India. We spoke to her to know what made her visit India, and she shared with us her reason, “I have always loved coming to India – I have a few family members here, and a many friends, so I have many good reasons to visit this beautiful country. This is my third time here, and I feel as good as my first visit.”
Unlike the last two visits, Anjum’s visit to India this time is with her artworks. She excitedly tells us, “I met the curator of Muse Art Gallery, Sudheer Kaali online, and expressed my interest in showcasing my artworks in his gallery. And before I knew, he was already helping me with the formalities of coming to India. His efforts in bringing me here have overwhelmed me – I cannot thank him enough for all the efforts.” Anjum’s interests in art extend to water colours, acrylics, collages and sculptures. She believes that learning is limited to as much you limit yourself.
She believes that contemporary Pakistan is more tolerant of India. Life there is comparatively not yet an easy game, but she has a positive take on living there, “Politicians have not made it an easy life for us. The government does not do justice, and no institution is in order, but we want things to change like never before. And Pakistanis have now realised the importance of India as a neighbour. After the Bombay bomb blasts, we are still allowed to travel to India but there is more restriction. I myself have a lot of Hindu friends in Pakistan and India, and I love the culture.”
Anjum feels the need to explore a collaboration of Pakistani art with India. And she is more than willing to have Indian artists come to Pakistan to showcase their works. “I would love to help with all the work required to bring some great Indian artists to Pakistan. My country would be proud to be host to some great names in art from India. I have seen some of the works of artists here, and I think they are incredible. I would love to do my bit to promote relations between the two countries.” And we in India could not agree more that good relations between the countries is the need of the hour. Anjum Mohammadi’s paintings will be on display till March 6.
