Dr. Rafeeq Ahmed Masoodi
Srinagar – The art world of Kashmir is shrouded in grief. On the chill‑laden morning of December 13th 2025, the gentle soul of Muhammad Yusuf Bacha slipped away at SKIMS Soura after a brief, unforgiving illness. The veteran painter, whose brush captured the very soul of the valley, was laid to rest beneath the open sky of his ancestral graveyard in Sopore, surrounded by the murmurs of a heartbroken community that had come to bid farewell to a true maestro.
A Late‑Blooming Maestro, a Beacon of Hope
Bacha’s story is the stuff of legend, inspiring every artist who hears his name. He first picked up a brush at the age of fifty, a time when most would be content with quiet evenings and grandchildren’s stories. Yet, within those golden years, a fire ignited that blazed across the canvas of Kashmir’s cultural landscape. His early works—raw, unapologetic, dripping with the hues of dawn over the Jhelum—spoke of a man who waited half a lifetime just to hear the call of creation.
I, though no painter myself, have lived those moments with him. I still hear his soft, steady voice echoing in the halls of the North Kashmir Art Society: “Bacha began his artistic journey relatively late, taking up painting seriously at the age of 50—an achievement that continues to inspire generations.” Those words, now etched in memory, remind us that passion knows no calendar, that the canvas does not care for age, only for the truth you pour onto it.
The North Kashmir Art Society: A Sanctuary Born of Dreams
Nearly three decades ago, Bacha and I co‑founded the North Kashmir Art Society. Under his steadfast presidency, the society became a sanctuary—a nurturing womb where fledgling artists found their voice, where the rustle of pine trees outside was mirrored in the strokes of their brushes. “Bacha mentored this art form to almost all artists of North Kashmir,” . Legendary poet Shahnaz Rasheed, who shared leisure times with Bacha and wrote about him in her book “ASMAAN VE’TH PATAALAN MANZ”, captured his spirit in poignant poems that celebrate his artistic soul.
Bacha’s own canvases—vast landscapes, oil‑rich valleys, mist‑kissed mountains—were love letters to a land he adored. The “strong composition, depth, and distinctive brush strokes” of his work breathed life into stone and sky, making viewers feel the cool breath of a Kashmir morning and the warmth of a summer sunset in a single glance.
A Gathering of Hearts and Hands
The funeral turned into a river of souls. Legendary poet Shahnaz Rasheed, with tears glimmering like dew on a rose petal, recited verses that seemed to paint the very air. Veteran literary figures Nisar Azam, Hasan Zarin, Javed Iqbal, Rauf Qayasi, Qazi Ashiq, and countless others stood shoulder to shoulder, their presence a testament to the indelible imprint Bacha left upon Kashmir’s cultural fabric. In their silence, the valley seemed to hold its breath, mourning the loss of a guardian of beauty.
Echoes of an Era, a Legacy That Never Fades
Muhammad Yusuf Bacha’s departure marks the end of an era, yet his legacy endures through countless artists he mentored, the paintings that adorn homes and galleries, and the emotional imprint on Kashmir’s artistic psyche. The landscapes of Kashmir, brushed with his soul, will forever remember Bacha.
The North Kashmir Art Society (NKAS) feels orphaned by his departure, but we trust that “Death keeps No Calendar”. Bacha, your students, lovers, companions, and I will miss you ever. Be in heaven, smile through the works you left behind. Landscapes of Kashmir with canvas and brush will remember Bacha for all times to come—such genuine artists seldom appear on the true art landscape.
May his brush forever linger on the canvases of our memories.
Dr. Rafeeq Ahmed Masoodi remains a luminary—an intellectual force whose contributions will be studied, cherished, and celebrated for generations to come. His life and work are an ode to the power of knowledge, storytelling, and cultural stewardship, ensuring that the rich heritage he has dedicated himself to will never fade into obscurity but will continue to inspire, educate, and enlighten.
