Aabida Rashid self taught Islamic calligrapher and medical student, from Zainakote HMT area of central Kashmir’s district, Srinagar Jammu & Kashmir.
Growing in a locality where some professions are cherished while many are destined to dustbins. Well, my name Aabida Rashid doesn’t linger any story I started to create one. I m a self taught callgrapher from Kashmir valley Hmt Srinagar, I have never been to any institution I learned it all by myself, this is all by the grace of almighty Allah.
While interacting with Ms. Rashid she said that Islamic Calligraphy has always fascinated her but being a medical student didn’t she get enough time for this but this pandemic came as both boon and bane.
“Lockdown provided me with lot of opportunities to use my time in a good way and I realize that I m blessed with this art of Calligraphy,” she said.
“I started my journey as a calligrapher during lockdown, when there was laziness all around, lockdown aided me with more time to Improve my skills, I began to devote most of my time towards this art, from school days I used to participate in all local competitions and won many of them, No doubt it is a beginning but I want to do it for my life now.”
“I m now trying to master in this field, having innate tendency towards this I am working hard to get proficiency in this, it is more than a hobby for me.”
“I don’t feel alone in the shadow of this art, it is the medicine for all my bad moods, I find calm in this, for me it is an effective way to communicate and pass a message in a beautiful way, it is the music not for the ears but for the eyes, a best way to deal with stress.”
“Moreover I believe that an artist should be given an opportunity to prove his/her mettle, everybody is genius, society should appreciate this kind of talent.”
“I want audience both to appreciate as well as prune every artist, it must not be abhorred, art or profession should give pleasure hence, it becomes worship.”
“Now eventually people have begun to appreciate my work, my family friends and whosoever sees my work Alhammdulliah everyone appreciates me and are giving positive response which keeps me going.”
“Besides Calligraphy I sometimes draw and paint also which gives me joy n peace. According to me Calligraphy is a therapeutic art because when we start doing it, our mind just focuses on it n we start forgetting all other things including problems n everything.”
“My little message for all the artists n beginners is, “Just do whatever makes u happy n whatever gives u peace, for me it is like a therapy and if you are thinking about success and all, just stop thinking that because your success is only by Allah, you just do your hardwork and stay motivated towards your goal, don’t let the circumstances overpower you, don’t hide your talent, come forward and show the world that u can do anything”, She said.
Story: Burhan Hussainii