"A PEEP OUT OF PAST " A PAINTED RELIEF BY MASOOD HUSSAIN.

This  Painted Relief forms the cover of Agha shahid Ali's Book THE COUNTRY WITHOUT A POST OFFICE .

I shall help you to enter another world of Masood Hussain's art. Not the Beautiful water colours and views. But Pain and suffering . Broken and locked windows .Strife and conflict.Crowds trapped . Bullets and Blood . Pictures where Rosaries and Dejhurrs appear to be flying away from the picture surface. Men, women , children peeping from windows. Innocent faces reflecting hopelessness ,fear resignation and longing . A city destroyed . A culture ripped apart. Hush Hush silence . Helmets .Fear hanging from doors and windows. .

He conveys pain that has no religion , caste , creed or colour. Even under these grave negative vibrations all around , the artist lives and rises above to convey hope and arrival of a new dawn .He lives in it but rises much above it . There the artist in him meets demands without shirking and demonstrates courage of intellectual conviction .

The present relief depicts a child peeping from the window to see the outer world for he lies trapped in the emptiness and gloom of the world of his room.The child 's face is mystical .Broken pieces of wood joined together for existence and window dressing .Metaphysical in contours and presentation..These lines of poet Faiz ahmed faiz  for Masood Hussain:-

Dast e sayaad bhi Aajiz hai Kaff e Gulcheen bhi
Buu e gul Thehri naa bubul ki zubaan thehri hai
Aatey aatey Yuun Hi dhum bhar ko ruukee hogee bahaar
Jaatey Jaatey Yuunm hi pal Bhar Ko Khizaan thehri hai
Hum ne Jo tarze fugaan ki hai Kafas mein ijaad
Faiz gulshan Mein wohee tarz e bayaan thehri hai.
( Faiz Ahmed Faiz )




Helpless is the bird killer’s hand ,
So also the flower gatherer’s .
Nothing has stayed on –
Not the scent of a rose ,Nor the nightingale’s song .
In its smooth coming , The spring must have paused for a moment ,
And in its going , stalled autumn momentarily.
The style of lament I innovated in captivity ,
That mode , O faiz ,
Has caught on everywhere in the garden.

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HALL ( A VILLAGE ON PULWAMA SHOPIAN ROAD IN KASHMIR ) LOOKS LIKE A GHOST VILLAGE

                                                                          

HAAL is a village on Pulwama Shopian road. A journalist  friend of mine had told me in srinagar that the pain and sufferrng of kashmiri is  also visible in  this village.On my visit to Aharbal water fall , i stopped at this village for about half an hour. A cluster of houses on right side of the road( when you return from shopian to srinagar)  attracts your attention. Houses well built . Beautiful structures . Elegant Dubbs .Sloping roofs of galvanized tin . Buildings that  make you pensive. The houses convey stories . Possibly well off people who left suddenly.I found timber , rotting paddy stock , broken furniture and about three  feet tall grass inside some of these tell tale structures  . Houses that gave comfort to generations are in  pain and neglect. Ghost village . Dogs pour in and out frequently from these houses..  Doors and windows have opened themselves to a  free embrace of seasons , sunshine and winds. Carefree but agonized . You pity these structures  but rush to move out  of the  ghost locality and look other way.  

" Jenaab Kyaa chuvv Dadaahvanuss darshun karaan . Yem Gayee saen Zakhumm. Khodaa Karienukhh Raechh yetti yim Pandit Baayee Chhaa. Yem Aeiss Saari Reiutt Taa Nek insaan .. "

"Sir What are you looking for .These are our wounds .God protect these Pandit brothers wherever they are . Honest and good people lived in these structures  ."
said Abdul Gaffar a shopkeepr who met me on the road near the Temple .

                                                                              
To these views i add a poem of Faiz "Dil e man Musafir e man  "



Meray dil meray musafir
hua phir sey hukm sadir
ke watan badar hon hum tum

dein gali gali sadaayein
karein rukh nagar nagar ka
ke suraagh koi paayein
kisi yar e nama bar ka

har ik ajnabi sey poochein
jo pataa tha apney ghar ka
sar e kooey nashenayan
hamein din sey raat karna

kabhi iss sey baat karna
kabhi us sey baat karna
tumhein kya kahoon key kya hey
shab e gham buri balaa hey

hamein yeh bhi tha ghaneemat
jo koi shumaar hota
hamein kya bura tha marna
agar eik baar hota.

English translation:
My heart, my fellow traveler
It has been decreed again
That you and I be exiled,
go calling out in every street,
turn to every town.
To search for a clue
of a messenger from our Beloved.
To ask every stranger
the way back to our home.

In this town of unfamiliar folk
we drudge the day into the night
Talk to this stranger at times,
to that one at others.

How can I convey to you, my friend
how horrible is a night of lonliness *
It would suffice to me
if there were just some count
I would gladly welcome death
if it were to come but once.



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A WINTER VIEW OF DAL LAKE FROM HAZRATBAL SHRINE . A WATER COLOUR BY MASOOD HUSSAIN.

                                        

None can remain unimpressed by the variety in Masood Hussain’s Art. I saw an acrylic on Canvas titled HOPE done by him. The Yemberzal flowers ( narcissi ) presented by him reflect HOPE. This goddess has kept generations alive . The artist in him sees light for the future of Kashmir. That makes the viewers also happy

His Colours ; So natural , The lake view after a heavy snow fall , vastness of space ( represented by lakes and gardens ) so innate to the people of valley and People coming in Boats to HAZRATBAL the holiest shrine of Kashmir. The real life like geese on banks of the lake . This is Poet Dina Nath Naadim,s Bodd Dal ( Bigger Dal ).

CHUVV SUKRAATUNN CHUVV AKH DHAAM
TANAA CHUVV ASSI BOAD DAL AZ TAAM..
( Dina Nath Naadim )

”Socrates just drank a single gulp of the poison,
Since then we drank equivalent to the
volume held by bigger Dal lake ”

This is the Dal area for which poet Mehjoor wrote

Naseem Boozum tse Baal Daamein
Kamand Heuth chhukh shikaar Chharaan
Baa Shokaa Chaanei Shikaarie andher
Ye sar panun Heuth taray haa laalo.
( mehjoor )

love ! I heard at naseem Bagh that
with thy bow and arrow you are on a hunting spree,
For thy pleasure love , I shall come in a shikaara
And offer thee my head .

The present painting is a view of the Bigger part of Dal lake from HAZRAT BAL SHRINE.
YA NABI GOSH FARIYAADAN THAAV

( My Prophet , Listen to My Prayers )

Hazrat Bal Dargah happens to be the holiest shrine of kashmir revered by all. Kashmiris are emotionally attached to this shrine for the fact that a holy relic of Prophet Mohammed ( PBUH ) is kept over here. The shrine is situated on the banks of serene Dal Lake facing Mughal Gardens .
I saw geese at Telbal Nallah ( TEL BAL NALLAH brings water to DAL LAKE ) as well when I went to Hazratbal via foreshore road
            


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JOGILANKER GHAAT RAINAWARI. WATER COLOUR BY MASOOD HUSSAIN

MASOOD SAHIB I AM SPEECHLESS. THIS IS  MY AREA .RAINAWARI JOGI LANKER . I HAVE LIVED WITH THESE SCENES . I JUST LOVE THIS SCENE.  I SIMPLY ADD;

YEH KAUN AAYAA SHAB E VASL KAA JAMAAL LIYE 
TAMAAM UMR E GUZASHTAA KE MAAH O SAAL LIYE 
HAZAAR RANGE KHIZAAN KAA BADAN PE PAIRAHUNN
ZAVAAL E HUSN MEIN BHI HUSN E LAA ZAWAAL LIYE.
( ALI SARDAR JAFRI )


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"THOU KNOWETH MY MISERY " BY MASOOD HUSSAIN

                                                                      

Locked , broken partially lies one window representing migration of kashmiri pandits from the valley.The other window presents a man in pain and suffering praying to the lord .

"Thou knoweth my misery "

This is present kashmir . A soul divided in two halves. one half having migrated out and longing to go back to the place of their birth . The other half suffering and living with pain. Both windows forming a part of the same building called kashmiriyat.The  traditional Pinjarakaari windows represent the core kashmiri culture . I also saw a painting by Masood Hussain titled EXODUS depicting the traditional Dejhuur worn by kashmiri pandit women flying away from the picture surface. Great art . Great Artist .

Masjidon me to maine yehi ki dua ,
Mein Jisse chaahta hoon woh Mujh Ko Mile .

Jo Mera farz Thaa maine poora kiyaa ,
Ab Khuda hi Na chaahe to Mein kya karoon

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VEGETABLE SELLERS OF DAL LAKE KASHMIR . A WATER COLOUR BY MASOOD HUSSAIN.

 

This is 6 AM scene in Dal lake . Vegetable sellers filling the boats for transportation of the produce to city Mandis .O the moon is also enjoying the scene.The Pherans , Nadru ( Lotus stem Bundles ), caps , boats , Houses in silhouette, Poplars of lake in night ,smiles and seriousness on the faces are familiar to any person who has lived in kashmir.Colours used make every object lively . fantastic colour sense ans sensitivity . Colours that grant indefinable and austere beauty . God's gift to Masood sahib.This is core kashmir.

The scene looks like a frame from some Satyajit Ray Movie.People , colours , life and emotions . Satyajit ray too was a painter. Poet Agha Shaid Ali was a great admirer of of Satyajit Ray films. He even wrote a poem on Pather Panchali. Here goes the poem

On Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali
Agha Shahid Ali

Listen

Durga dies in the rains,
her tongue bitter with stolen
fruit. Beyond the field, trains
escape a boy’s dreams, run

into the air. A necklace chains
him to the water’s bones, turns
his reflection sour. Wherever
Apu goes, to the temple or the river,
he carries Durga’s smile to the depths of the air.                                                              


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EARLY AUTUMN VIEW OF SHALIMAAR GARDEN A WATER COLOUR BY MASOOD HUSSAIN

With green colour in the backdrop , stray fall of dry leaves and chinars starting to turn golden , Masood hussain has captured the essence of early autumn of kashmir in this Shalimar garden view. I am tempted to add lines from a love song of Gyanpeeth Awardee kashmiri poet prof Rehman Raahi:

Tsetti Az Yaavunn Me Tee Armaan
Zoonn Gaashie Sadaruss Thorr Chhu Vothaan
Meitee Az Nattah Adhaa Kurr Tsaelee loll.
Kathie Myanee Maashoq Mattah Dhittah Doall
Yenna Chhunaa Duniyaa Rozunn Voal.
( Prof Rehman Raahi )

You are youthful so are my desires Love!
And then Turbulence visits the ocean under moonlight only .
If not today , Tell me when shall we meet then.
Love do not ignore these request of mine.
This world is not going to last long.!.



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BOAT FISHERMEN OF DAL LAKE KASHMIR. A WATER COLOUR BY ARTIST MASOOD HUSSAIN

                                                                                  

MASOOD SAHIB , THROUGH SOME STROKES YOU HAVE SUMMED UP THE ENTIRE LIFE STRUCTURE OF THESE POOR PEOPLE.YES THE USE OF YOUR FAVOURITE BLUE COLOUR IS SUPERB ESPECIALLY FOR THE WATER ,CLOTHES AND BEDDINGS . COOKING IS IN PROGRESS AFTER THE MORNING'S CATCH . FOR THIS PAINTING I ADD SOME LINES OF ALI SARDAR JAFRI 

YEH KAUN AAYAA SHAB E VASL KAA JAMAAL LIYE
TAMAAM UMR E GUZASHTAA KE MAAH O SAAL LIYE
HAZAAR RANGE KHIZAAN KAA BADAN PE PAIRAHUNNZAVAAL E HUSN MEIN BHI HUSN E LAA ZAWAAL LIYE.
( ALI SARDAR JAFRI )

                                                                      



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LOTUS FLOWER PAINTED BY MASOOD HUSSAIN.

                                                                        

 LOTUS IS A SACRED FLOWER FROM  TIMES IMMEMORIAL.THIS FLOWER IS DIRECTLY CONNECTED WITH KLASHMIRI LIFE. LOTUS STEM OR NADROO IS A FAVOURITE VEGETABLE FOR KASHMIRIS . KASHMIRIS ALSO MAKE DELICIOUS NADRU MONJI OR MONJGOOEL FROM LOTUS STEM. IT APPEARS THAT IN THIS PAINTING THE FLOWER IS WAITING FOR THE MORNING DEW.I QUOTE GYANPEETH AWARDEE POET PROF. REHMAN RAHI 

SHABNAM BAA CHHUSSAY PRARAAN POSH
KRECHIVIN YENAA ROZEUM AAGOSH
YENNA MASHARAAVUKH RAAHIYUN LOL
YENNA CHHUNA DUNIYAA ROZUNN VOL.

THE LINES CONVEY.

O DEW ! THIS FLOWER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR THEE.
COME LET ME TOO HAVE THY COOLNESS.
LET YOU NOT KEEP MY BEING WAITING.
WHY YOU FORGET RAHI'S LOVE ?
THE WORLD THAT YOU SEEK OTHERWISE
IS NOT GOING TO LAST LONG LOVE!.





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MY CITY OF LIGHTS !

                                                                                          



"City of Lights"


On each patch of green, from one shade to the next,
the noon is erasing itself by wiping out all color,
becoming pale, desolation everywhere,
the poison of exile painted on the walls.
In the distance,
there are terrible sorrows, like tides:
they draw back, swell, become full, subside.
They've turned the horizon to mist.
And behind that mist is the city of lights,
my city of many lights.


How will I return to you, my city,
where is the road to your lights? My hopes
are in retreat, exhausted by these unlit, broken walls,
and my heart, their leader, is in terrible doubt.


But let all be well, my city, if under
cover of darkness, in a final attack,
my heart leads its reserves of longings
and storms you tonight. Just tell all your lovers
to turn the wicks of their lamps high
so that I may find you, Oh, city,
my city of many lights.


( A poem of Faiz Ahmed Faiz Translated by Agha Shahid Ali)


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RIVER JHELUM AFTER MILD SNOWFALL:: A WATER COLOUR BY ARTIST MASOOD HUSSAIN.

  

THIS ONE FOR MY FRIEND BASHARAT FAZILI (PRESENTLY WORKING AT HISSAR IN HARYANA ) WHO LIVED IN THIS AREA . DEAR FAZILI ENJOY SNOW IN HEAT AND DUST . TO THIS BEAUTIFUL WORK OF MASOOD SAHIB , I AM AGAIN ADDING SOME LINES FROM A GAZAL OF URDU POET JAUN ELIA

Taazah-dam jism-o-jaan the furqat mein
vasl uss kaa nidhaal chhod gayaa

Ahd-e-maazi jo thaa ajab purhaal
Eik veeraan haal chhod gayaa.

Dil ko ab ye bhi yaad ho ke na ho
kaun thaa , kyaa malaal chhod gayaa.

Mein bhi ab Khud se huun javaab-talab
vo mujhe be-savaal chhod gayaa.

(Jaun Elia)

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DOWNTOWN VIEW IN WATER COLOUR BY KASHMIRI ARTIST MASOOD HUSSAIN

MASOOD SAHIB I IDENTIFY THIS WATER COLOUR WITH ZAINA KADAL AREA WHERE I USED TO GO FREQUENTLY WITH MY MOTHER TO MY MATAMAAL ( Mother's Parental Home  ). GOD BLESS YOUR HANDS .SOME LINES FOR KASHMIR MY DEAR LAND .

Dil Pe Hotee hai Jab Yaadon Ki Suneharee Baarish ,
Saare Beete Huve Lamhon ke kanwal Khilatey hain,
Phael Jaati hai Tere harf e wafaa ki khushboo,
Koi Kehtaa hai Magar Rooh Ki Gehraai Se,
Shidate Tishanaa Lubee Bhi hai Tere Pyaar Ka Naam
( Ali sardar Jafri )
When your golden memories visit me , 
They come like torrential rains .
Memories of Time spent together ,
Bloom once again Like lotus flowers .
My being goes fragrant 
With your word of faithfulness ,
But somewhere within the depths of my heart a voice conveys 
“This Intense thirst is another name of our love ”

 

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RAINAWARI JOGILANKER ( SRINAGAR )BRIDGE PAINTED BY KASHMIRI ARTIST MASOOD HUSSAIN

I SPENT MY ENTIRE CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH IN THIS AREA. I ADD SOME LINES OF POET JAUN ELIA TO THIS EMOTIONAL PAINTING .

Hum to jaise yahaan ke the hi nahin.
dhuup the saayabaan ke the hii nahin.
Raaste kaaravaan ke saath rahe,
Marhale kaaravaan ke the hii nahin.

uss galii ne ye sun ke sabr kiyaa ,
jaane vaale yahaan ke the hi nahin.

Ho Teri Khaak-e-Aastaan Pe salaam,
Ham tere aastaan ke the hi nahin.
( Jaun Elia )

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BAKERY IN KASHMIR

Kashmiris eat a lot of Bakery stuff presently. Though they have their own indigenous Bakery known as KANDHAR WAAN , yet the consumption of cakes , Patties , Biscuits , Pastries  and other bakery products is on a steady rise in Kashmir valley. We had  three or four bakery shops in the city  some two decades back and the same have increased to more than 100 at the moment . I  vividly remember only  Ahdoo’s Bakery  shop  serving  to city’s elite . Then came Gee Enn Bakery shop, followed by John Bakers Dalgate  Mughal Darbar  and many more . lately we have one more Bakery outlet  Chain  known as Hat Trick in  Srinagar city . This unit has several outlets in the city . The Bakery , Wazwaan, fast foods , Harissa, sweets,Tandoori and Non vegetarian snacks sold by this unit are certainly mouth watering . I have visited this outlet at Rajbagh Srinagar and the Chicken Tikka , Cakes and Pine Apple pastries sold over there is a class in itself. 

There is a clear division amongst Bakery buyers in kashmir which is  based essentially on purchasing power. A good number of people still visit the traditional and cheaper  KANDHUR shop  for purchase of Kulchaa, Bread , Katlumm, Tseoch Vorr and Lawass every day . You can find them  waiting outside the traditional Kandhur shop ( kashmiri Bakery )for their turn  for fresh Bread ( Tseot or Lawaas ) for the morning tea. This is the time for gossip as well. The traditional Baker ( Kandhur ) and his waiting  buyers keep wiping tears from their eyes . Tears brought by smoke in the shop created by burning of timber in the baker’s furnace or Tandoor. Modern bakery buyers need not shed tears . They happily buy   Bakery for functions and daily consumption in Bag loads . Oh yes the modern bakery buyer  has to  keep his  Lipid profile and  Blood sugar level  under observation . Many kashmiris who habitually consume lot of  modern Bakery stuff watch these vital health indicators.  So Long so much .

 kis se izhaar-e-muddaa keejiye.

Aap milte nahin hain, kyaa keejiye.

 Aap the jiske chaaraagar vo javaan,

SaKht beemaar hain, du’aa kieejiye.

 Mujh ko aadat hai Ruuth jaane ki,

Aap mujh ko manaa liyaa Keejiye.

 Milte rahiye Issi tapaak ke saath,

Be-vafaa’i  ki intihaa keejiye.

 (Jaun Elia)                                                                                      

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KASHMIR WAS ROSES ALL THE WAY . SHALL THEY BLOOM AGAIN ?

Ye tau mumkin nahiin bachpan ka koyee din mil jaaye

yaa palat aaye koyee sa’aat-e-Naayaab-e-shabaab

Phuut nikle kisi afsurdah tabassum se kiran

Yaa damak utthe kisi dast-e-bureedah mein gulaab

kaun likh saktaa hai phir umr-e-guzishtaa ki kitaab

kis se mumkin hai tamannaon ke zakhmon ka Hisaab

Dar-ba-dar thokarein khaate huve phirte hain savaal

Aur mujrim ki tarah unse gurezaan hain Javaab

( ali sardar jafri )

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DIL AKELAA HAI BAHUT LAALAA E SEHRAA KI TARAH ( LONELINESS RESIDES OVER HERE LIKE THE DESERT FLOWER. )

Dil Akelaa hai Bahut laalaa-e-Seharaa ki Tarah 

Tum ne bhi chhod  Diyaa hai Mujhe duniyaa ki Tarah

Chhod ke jaao na yuun Ahad-e-guzishtaa kii Tarah 

Ban ke ummeed Raho vaadaa-e-fardaa ki Tarah 

Paas Rahate ho to Aataa hai judaai kaa Khayaal 
Tum mere dil mein ho Andeshaa-e-fardaa ki Tarah .
( MAZHAR IMAAM )

















































(THIS IS NOT MY PHOTOGRAPH. THIS PHOTOGRAPH HAS BEEN     SENT TO ME BY A FRIEND WHO    ALSO DOES NOT KNOW THE SOURCE.







 I COMPLIMENT    THE        PHOTOGRAPHER    FOR THIS EFFORT. MY  BEST WISHES           FOR      THIS  PHILOSOPHICAL PHOTOGRAPH  REPRESENTING PAST ANDFUTURE .         I HAVE JUST ADDED MAZHAR IMAAM'S POETRY TO IT .) 

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MASOOD HUSSAIN: ENCHANTING PAINTER FROM KASHMIR, BEWITCHING WATER COLOURS THAT POUR OUT CULTURE OF KASHMIR.

                                                                                  

"Jenab Assi Chhanaa Kenh khabar ye Kaem Chhu Banovmutt.  Jammu kashmir Bunkik Afsar Chhi Yor Iwaan . Timunn Gotss Prutsunn"

" Sir we do not know who has designed it. Some officers from jammu and kashmir Bank Keep coming over here . Better Ask them."

 so said the gardeners in Badaam Vaari Park  srinagar   when i asked them as to who had designed the beautiful sculpture Fountain in the Park. This majestic almond shaped sculpture fountain in the shape of word ALLAH lies close to the well decorated Warris Khan's Chhaah( Deep Well ) in Badaam Vaari Park Srinagar .From friends in Jammu and kashmir  Bank ,  i came to know  about the creator of this beautiful sculpture . I also learnt that  the artisitc Fountains at Karan Nagar , Babademb and Baba Dharam Dass Temple Chowk( Munawarabaad )  have been designed by this Artist only.Enter the world of Masood Hussain  Painter  from Kashmir valley ,a Trained Graphic Designer from J J School of Arts Mumbai and equally  trained  by his Guru and well known Painter  late G. R . Santosh .

Last time i saw some water colours of late Shri D N Wali  Almast Kashmiri  in an Exhibition organized jointly by Cultural academy and Dr T K Wali ( Son of the late Artist ), I was thrilled to see the beauty and presentation of various facets of kashmiri life through this medium.  Now that i have seen the entire collection of Masood Hussain Titled TRANSPARENT STROKES , i  am  simply amazed to see  these superb water colour Paintings.You may find the birds  , lakes , seasons and landscape  beauty in his water colours yet implicitly or explicitly he paints  the culture and life of the valley both urban and rural.The paintings representing rural life are sheer Nostalgic.The fishermen in their Boats ,Dal lake in various colours, Tongas , Thatched  Roof houses of villagers , Autumn colours , shrines  , Majestic Chinars , Old city or Shahar e Khaas views ,Snow capped Mountains ,Horses , Cows  and calves ,Men and women in Pherans ,House Boats ,Doongas , Shikaras,  city under snow fall,Tourist Resorts ,Badaam Vari Garden srinagar  in  spring Blooms ,Boulevard ,Dubbs of old buildings , Houses lined on Jhelum Banks ,Vegetable sellers in Boats  ,Garlands of Red Chillies hung on windows , Chinar Leaves being  burnt for Kangri  charcoal ,Mughal Gardens and many more views representing kashmir and kashmir only.Just view them . It is Everybody's pleasure .

In an Art Exhibition  of Masood Hussain ,  Renowned Artist Manjeet Bawa said

"In his work there are no flowers , rivers or colours , Yet he portrays the true culture of kashmir " 

                                                                              

The use of Blue colour (possibly his favourite)   by this artist  is superb.The Autumn colours especially the Majestic Chinars painted by him are simply mesmerizing . Having worked as faculty  at Institute of Music and Fine Arts  Srinagar Since 1977    where at he trained many  Present day Young artists from Kashmir , Masood Hussain has mixed Painting and sculpture and also explored the use of Papier mache and  lattice work  found in old houses in kashmir .From careful study of his water colours , one can confidentaly say that the artist is a master of  various  techniques  like WASHES AND GLAZES , WET IN WET   and DRY BRUSH .

                                                                             
Born on 15th june 1953 in an Educated family , Masood  Hussain 's father was a doctor who possibly like any other kashmiri parent would not  have liked his son to be an Artist. That has always been so in kashmiri families where the son would  usually take over the profession of his father.A  friend of mine wanted to go to Baroda to get himself properly trained as an artist ; his father advised him as under :-

" Ami Khotta Chhuai Baichhun Jaan . Kossa Darbadarri Gayee .  "
" It is better to beg . Why you  waste  time  like this "

                                                                             

Water Colour medium of  Painting dates back possibly to   Cave Painting Era .Then came the Egyptians who adopted this technique .The Europeans too adopted this style in middle ages  . During Renaissance period many artists used this medium . Many modern and contemporary Portrait artists also chose and preferred  this medium. The medium is going to stay longer and has ever expanding  base of  admirers world over .So this great work by  Masood Hussain is bound to spread far and wide in the   world of contemporory Art.

                                                                             

I am informed by friends that paintings of this artist can also  be seen in different Art  Galleries  of USA and UK .Some can be seen in Jammu and Kashmir Bank Corporate Head Quarter  , Raj Bhawan and with many private Collectors  within the country .

                                                                                                                        

                              Beautiful Dal lake done in Blue is just Nostalgic  and refreshing .                               

This Bazar scene below  just pours out the culture . The architectural beauty  of  shrines and old buildings , vegetable sellers , men in modern dress and Pherans is  appealing in its artistic beauty  and presentation.The expression on the face  of the  man in Pheran  simply  Hope and helplessness.Is he Outsider of Albert
Camus ?

                                                                      
The life of Haanjis or Boatmen depicted  brings back loads of memories and sympathy .

                                                                        
Thatched roof huts in villages ,children and garlands of red chillies being dried under autumn sun  create sheer Nostalgia.

                                                              

The autumn Views done in water colours are exceptional in style and presentation. Anyone who has seen autumn colours in kashmir  shall have no choice but to appreciate the work . Naseem Bagh and Shalimar Garden's Autumn Grace has been captured with magical  perfection by the artist .

    

"My sole aim to share my works, is to bring back old memories, bringing all of us together in these troubled times in Kashmir. "Adds Masood Hussain. When i saw above three  Autumn water colours by Masood Hussain , lines from the Poem Raqs e Khizaan ( Dance of Autumn season  ) immediately came to my mind . Here are the lines for all to share .

Khizaan Raseedaa Nigaar e Bahaar Raqs Mein hai  .
Ajeeb Aalaam e Be Aetibaar Raqs Main hai .
Baras Rahein Hain Darakhaton se Rang Soorat e Barg ,
Tillism Khaana e Lailo Nahaar Raqs mein hai .
Junoon Ne Pairhan e Bargo Baar Utaar diyaa ,
Barahangee hai Ki Deewaanwar Raqs mein hai . 
( Ali sardar Jafri ) 

A PEEP OUT OF PAST " a painted relief by Masood Hussain is a very serious creative  work . This relief (uploaded below)  forms the cover of Agha shahid Ali's Book THE COUNTRY WITHOUT A POST OFFICE .Masood Hussain is a master in presenting Kashmir's  Pain and suffering . Men, women , children peeping from windows. Innocent faces reflecting hopelessness ,fear, resignation and longing .He conveys pain that has no religion , caste , creed or colour. Even under these grave negative vibrations all around , the artist lives and rises above to convey hope and arrival of a new dawn . There the artist in him meets demands without shirking and demonstrates courage of intellectual conviction .This   relief   depicts a child peeping from the window to see the outer world for he lies trapped in the emptiness and gloom of the world of his room.The child 's face is mystical .Broken pieces of wood joined together for existence and window dressing .Metaphysical in contours and presentation.This is incidentally Masood Hussain favourite  painting.

( Thanks to Masood Hussain . Views from his collection Transparent Strokes  on FaceBook )                                         
 

CHINAR SHADE by Autarmota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.
Based on a work at http:\\autarmota.blogspot.com\.,