Description
In Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, artist Manzoor Ahmad Bhat is pioneering a unique form of fine art by creating detailed canvas paintings using hand-crushed natural stones and rocks as his primary coloring medium. Recognized as the only artist in India practicing this specific technique, Bhat operates entirely without synthetic dyes or commercial paints.
To build his natural palette, Bhat roams the hinterlands, riverbeds, and mountain streams across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to forage for pebbles and rocks in diverse raw shades. When commissioned for custom portraits or complex visual compositions, he seeks out specific geological specimens, hand-crushing and grinding them into fine natural pigments before carefully assembling them on canvas.
Beyond its artistic novelty, Bhat’s venture represents an eco-friendly approach to visual art that connects local geography with creative craftsmanship. His work highlights the potential of sustainable, nature-derived mediums in contemporary art, standing as a testament to artistic innovation and cultural preservation in the region.
This story is by Insha Nabi, a Community, Content Creator from Ganderbal.
This story is filmed and edited by the community content creator. We bring you unfiltered stories from the deepest, most media-dark areas.
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