DanishAli/Bandipora

In a world increasingly drawn to the loud and fleeting, the story of Seerat Tariq, a 19-year-old artist from Bandipora, North Kashmir, stands as a quiet revolution.

She etched her name into the India Book of Records by painting 106 artworks in just two days, a feat that catapulted her from a modest classroom to the national stage.

Today, she is not just a record holder, but a global symbol of Kashmiri creativity and resilience.

Seerat Tariq with her works

Seerat’s artistic journey began early. “I used to sketch flowers and faces during school breaks,” she says.“But it was never just about drawing—it was about telling stories I couldn’t say out loud.”

Then came the COVID-19 lockdown, which proved to be pivotal. With time and solitude on her side, Seerat immersed herself in art — experimenting with calligraphy, oils, and watercolors.

Her mother, a homemaker, converted a corner of their house into a studio.“She believed in me when no one else did,” Seerat recalls adding, “She gave my dream a space to grow.”

In 2023, her record-setting achievement brought her state-wide attention. She became the first girl from Kashmir to achieve such recognition, setting the stage for her ascent.

Her Paris solo show in 2027, “Whispers of the Valley,” won her critical acclaim. French critic Pierre Laurent called her work “a moving bridge between silence and color, pain and peace.”

Seerat Tariq with her works

Her ability to merge the visual richness of Kashmir with universal emotions has gained her a loyal following — from art collectors to scholars.

Determined to share her platform, Seerat launched Art Rise Kashmir, a non-profit organisation aimed at promoting art education among youth, especially women in conflict zones.

Art Rise has conducted over 50 workshops across Bandipora, Srinagar, Anantnag, and even remote Gurez. More than 500 young artists have been trained—many now pursuing degrees in fine arts or working as freelancers.

“It’s not just about teaching brush techniques,” Seerat says.“It’s about giving girls the confidence to believe that their stories — and their art — matter.”

In 2024, she received the National Youth Icon Award for her contributions to art and youth empowerment. Earlier this year, she was invited to speak at the UNESCO Creative Cities Forum in Seoul, where her talk on “Art as Resistance and Renewal” received a standing ovation.

Seerat Tariq with her works during Covid-19 lockdown

Her works now feature in private collections across London, Doha, Delhi, and Tokyo, and are under consideration by renowned auction houses Christie’s and Sotheby’s.

Despite her international acclaim, Seerat has never left her hometown.“The mountains here aren’t just scenery — they’re memory, identity, and inspiration,” she says.

Her studio remains on the outskirts of Bandipora, where she continues to paint, mentor, and plan her next chapters — including a permanent art space for local artists.

Seerat is now completing her debut art memoir, “Beyond the Brush,” which will feature her select works, personal essays, and reflections on growing up as an artist in a place often viewed through the lens of conflict.

In collaboration with local authorities and patrons, she is also working on a dream project — Kashmir’s first contemporary art museum, set to open in Bandipora “It won’t be about me,” she insists.“It will be for every artist who felt unseen.”

What began as a quiet pursuit of beauty has become a force of identity and empowerment.Seerat Tariq’s story  is not just about strokes of a brush — it’s about hope born in silence,and strength rooted in love.

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