NISAR AZIZ , An Unknown Artist from Kashmir

Chinkral Mohalla Habba Kadal ( Srinagar ) has produced two bright Artists . One being G R Santosh ( who rose to eminence on Nation­al Scene ) and another Nisar Aziz Beg popularly known as Nisar Aziz.

Though Nisar Aziz was a self taught man , Yet he contributed in his own way to­wards development of Modern Art Scenario of our state.

Nisar Sahib passed away recently ( Feb 2018 ) in USA . I believe many people have not heard his name . Media too left him unnoticed . Not much came up on his death in News Papers .

Padamshri Pran Kishore kaul Informed me :

“History of Modern Art In Kashmir is incomplete if we don’t make mention of NI­sar Aziz and Ghulam Mohd shad .They have also contributed in their own way . They were part of the carwaan that emerged post 1947 on the horizon of Art in kashmir valley. Nisar was a neighbour of G R Santosh . He learnt by observation alone . He would visit drawing Masters or Artists during his youth to learn and pick up basics .He would observe , watch and then try himself.”

Prof .Arvind Gigoo Informed me:

“ He would come to our house fre­quently . I remember my Grandmother had a special love for him. Whenever she cooked fish , She would first set aside two pieces for Nisar Aziz. He would come to learn Art from my uncle Dwarka Nath Gigoo . My Uncle was a poet, artist and a musician . So many peo­ple from the field of Art , Literature and mu­sic would come to him. Nisar Aziz was like a family member for us. He probably would also go to D N Wali to learn. My uncle had a special affection for Nisar as he was soft spo­ken , gentle and highly obedient . He was very serious towards learning. In fact we had one huge painting of Nisar Aziz that he had gifted to us and that was prominently hung in the corridor . Alas ! we lost that in the turmoil.

My uncle was a university teacher but later he moved to Gandhi College. Those were the days when appointments could be made on the basis of talent alone and not Cer­tificates And he had not to offer as he a was not a matriculate .My uncle requested Pandit Shiv Narain Fotedar ( Secretary or president of the Managing committee ) and got him ap­pointed as Art Instructor in Gandhi Memo­rial college . He was required to assist B.Ed. students in preparation of Charts and Models . Looking at his Talent in Drawing and ignor­ing his requisite Educational qualifications, Shiv Narain Fotedar sanctioned him a Pro­fessor’s pay . That was certainly something unusual .Since that day he came to be known as Professor Nisar Aziz. He was a thorough gentleman and a humble person . He was also connected with some local Drama club / Theatre . I don’t remember. He once told me about his plans to go to Bombay for exhibit­ing his work at Jahangir Art Gallery. I am not sure if he visited Bombay later.”

Shri Bansi Raina informs :

“ Nisar Aziz was a close friend of mine and a member of my theatre club Rang­manch.We have attended idd lunches at his house so many times that i do not have a count.Nisar worked in Field survey Organisa­tion once along with Lassa Koul of DD Akhtar Mohiddidin.Mohan Charagi and others .He was a self taught painter and we attended his exhibition in Bombay in early eighties.I did not know he had passed away. His house at Chinkral Mohalla Srinagar was in the vicin­ity of G R Santosh’s house.MK Swaminetri and Theatre Personality ML Saraf were also his neighbours.”

Nisar Aziz held many solo Exhibi­tions in srinagar . One such Exhibition held inside Hotel Broadway was inaugurated by Sheikh Mohd Abdullah . He also held an Ex­hibition of his paintings at Lalit kala Acade­my New Delhi.

He passed away in California on 12the Feb 2018. He was living with his son in USA.

Peace be to his soul.

Autar Mota is a Blogger , Translator and writes in English , Urdu , Kashmiri and Hindi. His write-ups have appeared in many national magazines and journals.