Onika Maheshwari/New Delhi

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see,” says renowned artist Asgar Ali, a record-holding painter whose work beautifully conveys the message of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb — India’s age-old harmony of diverse cultures.

In a conversation with Awaz-The Voice, Asgar Ali said that he has always been deeply inspired by the innocence of Lord Krishna’s childhood. He says, “The peacock feather and flute of Krishna are so full of colour and beauty that no artist can resist painting them.”

Asgar Ali stands as a symbol of inspiration and completeness for fellow artists. He has created over 50 paintings focused on Lord Krishna — depicting his childhood, youth, teachings in the Mahabharata, and divine pastimes. “An artist’s true skill lies in his attention to detail,” Ali says, “and I’ve tried my best to portray that depth and emotion in my paintings.”

Students of Kalabhumi

He shared that he exhibited his Krishna Concept paintings at the International Gita Mahotsav, where his work was widely appreciated. One of his most remarkable achievements was creating a massive 50x30 ft painting with his team to mark the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. This grand artwork made it into the world record books and was even sent to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Ali believes an artist’s creativity knows no boundaries. Through his art, he aims to inspire future generations and promote harmony and goodwill in society.

Founder of the ‘Kalabhumi’ Institute in Dwarka Sector-12, Delhi, Asgar Ali’s journey is one of resilience and determination. Coming from Shahbad Mohammadpur village, he recalls that his passion for art began during college when he was assigned projects on various religious texts. His mentor, Ram Babu, guided him deeply into understanding the life and philosophy of Lord Krishna.

Asgar Ali's famous paintaing of Ram Mandir 

In addition to Krishna-themed works, Asgar has also painted subjects inspired by Lord Ganesha, Gautama Buddha, and nature. To truly grasp Krishna’s essence, he spent time in Mathura, Vrindavan, and along the Yamuna ghats. His favorite painting, he says, is one depicting Krishna smiling playfully from behind a tree as a thorn pricks a Gopi’s foot.

Asgar Ali believes that everyone has an artist within. Recently, he conducted a painting workshop at Tihar Jail, where he discovered the inmates’ hidden artistic talents. Many, he said, expressed a desire to pursue art as a career after release.

Ali acknowledges that Islam traditionally does not encourage painting, and his family initially opposed his choice. “They told me that if I wanted to make art my career, I’d have to support myself,” he recalls. Undeterred, he pursued his dream — often cycling between Delhi and Gurugram in his early days.

Iconic works of Asgar Ali

Starting with just 30 children learning on a mat in his village, today his ‘Kalabhumi’ Institute trains over 7,000 students from across India — including Assam, West Bengal, and Kolkata — from homemakers and retirees to young aspirants.

Asgar has also exhibited his art internationally — in Dubai, Singapore, and Thailand. He revealed that one of his most valuable paintings was nominated for sale, but he chose not to part with it as it was too close to his heart.

Testimonies of records set by Kalabhumi

A Fine Arts graduate from Jamia Millia Islamia, Asgar Ali has been nurturing young artists for over 18 years. His name is listed among the world record holders for his contribution to visual arts.

“Today, many of my students are running their own art classes in places like Ladakh and Assam,” he says proudly. “The artistic journey isn’t easy, especially today when modern art dominates the scene. But artists must keep experimenting and never fear making mistakes.”

On the growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in art, Asgar Ali offers a thoughtful perspective:

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“AI is fascinating, but I don’t see it as competition. It’s a smart tool — something creative people should learn to use, not depend on. AI should support your creativity, not replace it.”