Srinagar: Veer Munshi, an artist of international repute and a son of the soil, is creating the installation for Sonth, The Jammu and Kashmir Literary Festival, which will begin at SKICC on March 28.
The three-day festival will be inaugurated by Haseeb Drabu, Minister for Finance, Culture, Labour and Employment, Jammu and Kashmir. Eminent writers, opinion-makers, poets, artistes and journalists are participating in the three-day festival being organized from March 28 to 30.
The installation, titled Khayalaat, has been made by about ten artisans of Srinagar under the guidance of Veer. It is made of wood, and is in the form of an open book. The installation can also serve as a seating point. It will be open for public view on March 28, when the literary fest is inaugurated by Haseeb Drabu at 11 am.
Veer, who is a much sought-after artist both nationally and internationally, readily agreed to create an installation for the literary festival of Jammu and Kashmir, since this is the land of his birth. Remarkably, Veer did not take any remuneration for conceptualizing and creating this installation, other than payment for the artisans who had been involved in making it.
Veer said his inspiration for making the installation was the rich literary tradition of Kashmir. I wanted to create a souvenir which would have lasting value. Something in the shape of a book or a manuscript would symbolize the learning and the quest for knowledge that has defined the valley for centuries, said Veer.
The carpentry for the installation was done at Exchange Road, and it was painted at Habbakadal. The installation is likely to be completed by March 27. Veer said he wants to place Sonth flowers on the installation before it is put up for display.
A notable feature of the installation is that visitors to Sonth, The J&K Literary Festival, will be able to write on it with a marker. That is why we have termed it Khayalaat, so that people can pen down their thoughts on it in brief, said Veer.
Scholars, students and faculty members of Kashmir University, Amar Singh College, SP College, College of Education and many other educational institutions are expected to participate in the fest.
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