Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The All Jammu and Kashmir Shia Association (AJKSA) organised an art exhibition featuring paintings by young artist Irfan of Nawaqadal, Srinagar, at Karbala Sani, Imam Bargah Zadibal, on Thursday.
Titled “A Visual Journey into the Message of Karbala”, the exhibition displayed paintings reflecting the sacrifice, courage and spiritual legacy of Imam Hussain (AS) and the martyrs of Karbala.
The exhibition was attended by AJKSA General Secretary Abid Hussain Ansari, spokesperson Molvi Sheikh Zakri, Molvi Syed Muzaffar and Zakir Majid Khawaja, who appreciated the young artist’s creativity and effort.
During the exhibition, Irfan explained the inspiration behind his paintings and the historical significance and emotions captured in his work. He thanked AJKSA President Molvi Imran Ansari and General Secretary Abid Hussain Ansari for giving him the opportunity to display his art at Imam Bargah Zadibal, and appreciated Molvi Imran Ansari’s encouragement of young talent and youth-oriented initiatives.
Abid Hussain Ansari appreciated Irfan’s artistic efforts and encouraged him to continue pursuing his passion and to use his talent to convey meaningful messages to society. He also spoke about the history of Karbala and the struggle of Imam Hussain (AS) against tyranny, injustice and oppression. The tragedy of Karbala, he said, represents an enduring struggle for truth, justice, dignity and humanity.
The exhibition underlined the importance of encouraging young artists and offering them platforms to express their creativity, while connecting art with faith, history and the legacy of Ahlul Bayt (AS). The AJKSA reiterated its commitment to promoting young talent, artistic expression and community initiatives aimed at preserving and propagating the teachings of Karbala.
Karbala occupies a central place in the religious and cultural life of Kashmir’s Shia community, and its themes of sacrifice and resistance to injustice are remembered through gatherings, recitations and literature. Visual art offers another way of engaging with that history, particularly for younger people who may relate more readily to painting and imagery than to traditional forms of commemoration.
Imam Bargahs in Srinagar have long served not only as places of worship and mourning but also as community spaces for education and cultural activity. Hosting an exhibition of this kind within such a space reflects an effort to widen their role and to give emerging artists a venue where their work can reach an audience that shares the cultural context.
The event also points to a broader need for platforms that support young creative talent in the Valley. Organisers said that such initiatives help youth channel their energies into constructive expression, and they expressed hope that similar programmes would be held in future to showcase more artists and more interpretations of the message of Karbala.
