Anantnag (Azadi Times): The district of Anantnag in Indian-administered Kashmir boasts artists like no other, with one such individual turning shadow portraiture into a life’s passion.
Against the backdrop of insufficient basic amenities in the village of Kug Nag, located approximately 20 kilometers from Anantnag, Sohail Ahmad Butt has been tirelessly working on his art for the past four years.
He recounted his childhood fascination with such pursuits, stating, “I always felt drawn towards such things. I envisioned doing something new and began by creating shadows of animals.”
As his interest grew, Sohail persistently pursued his craft, even amidst several initial setbacks. He shared, “When I started creating animal shadows, a boy approached me and asked me to make his shadow. I began working on it, and after a considerable period, achieved success.”
Sohail revealed that as his passion intensified, he encountered several challenges along the way. “It took me nearly a month to complete my first shadow portrait… I faced difficulties initially and felt discouraged because I thought it would take a lot of time to create that shadow.”
“My first shadow wasn’t as good as I wanted it to be, but with repeated efforts, it kept improving,” he added.
Creating a single portrait takes Sohail approximately five hours, utilizing tools such as scissors, knives, paper, glue, and other materials.
Over the years, Sohail has crafted shadow portraits of renowned personalities, including cricketer Virat Kohli, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and others.
Despite financial constraints, Sohail has reached out to local authorities for support and cooperation, aiming to further polish his talent.
“I appeal to the government for assistance so that I can work on new innovations and ideas,” he concluded.
Sohail’s story serves as a testament to the resilience and creativity that thrive even amidst challenging circumstances, highlighting the importance of nurturing and supporting artistic endeavors within communities.