Noted photojournalist Vijay Kaul, recreated images from the Kashmir Valley on canvas at an exhibition here.
Titled "Away From Roots" a exhibition of 15 different interpretations of the Kashmir Valley painted by Kaul was put up on show for three days ending March 10.
The theme of the entire exhibition revolved around recollection and remembrance of his birthplace, the place where he spent his childhood.
"While I began painting I took both my personal and experiences of those living in Kashmir to complete the aura," says Kaul.
The Delhi-based artist who hails from Srinagar feels that his life is "in exile" in Delhi.
"Staying here with busy people leading automatic lives is something which is suffocating" says the painter who feels he "will get a fresh air to breathe when he is at Kashmir."
"I have been staying in Delhi for past 25 five years. But I am not able to see even birds here. Even the landscape is missing here at Delhi. Even after so many years I don't feel Delhi is my home, my heart longs for Kashmir," says the artist.
Kaul paints birds, trees, landscapes of the valley. In one canvas a portrait of the lotus flower and the rising sun, Kaul shows the ethereal beauty of Kashmir to the viewer.
The scenic natural beauty of the valley with its mountain ranges, trees and landscape has captured the imagination of several filmmakers who have shot numerous films in the Valley's backdrop.
"I paint after returning from work usually between 10 pm and 3 am," says Kaul who has a diploma in Fine Arts
According to Kaul being away from home," The idea of ones land becomes sharper than ever and it is carved in memory."
"His brush brings alive the imagery of Kashmir and brings to fore its nuances, unexplored so far," said a viewer at the exhibition.
Pointing towards his painting in which a bird sits on the Chinar tree, Kaul says," I consider the tree as myself sitting lonely in Kashmir."
Kaul says it took him over two years to complete 15 works that were exhibited. "My personal feelings such as romance, love towards my country helped me to complete this exhibition.
