Meet These String Artists From Kashmir

Interview by Sidra Nazir

Tell us about Team

Our core group constitutes of four members: Aamir Beigh , Mustakeem Khan , Youhan Ul Rehmaan and Mujeeb Mattoo. Amir & Youhan have completed schooling from SP higher Secondary School while Mustakeem Khan has done schooling from Green valley School. We 3 are currently pursuing B.com (Ist sem) while as Mujeeb is a B.Com student (3rd sem) from ICSC.

Give us an insight of String Art Kashmir

String Art is about the art that is expressed through nails and strings. It is a decoration piece, mostly used as a wall hanging .

String Art Kashmir was started by Mustakeem and Aamir Beigh in 2016. Although at an initial step on the ladder of our career, we knew we have to do something different. We didn’t want to be the breed of the same protocol like be a Doctor, Engineer and so on. We had no one to ask what to do and for that purpose, we knocked the doors of Google. There we came to know about string art.

Although we were intrigued by the string art but we didn’t give much heed to it initially as we were busy with studies.  It all started when Youhan said he was interested in working with us and it was a confidence boost for us and we took string art seriously.  

After working on it for sometime we realized we needed a place where we can work at peace and some space where we could spread out our tools. It was during this time we came in contact with Mujeeb Mattoo who owned a shop Oodies Collection in Dalgate . His shop is in a Hotel which is yet to start, and it was a perfect kind of place for us. This is how we came to be what we are today!

How did you raise your capital?

It may sound funny but when I (Aamir) and Mustakeem decided to start String Art, we started raising funds by collecting 20 Rs a day from our pocket money. Then we started saving 40 Rs a day to kick start our venture.

 

Tell us something about the ‘Process’ involved in making of String Art

Making of String Art needs a thick cardboard, nails and strings.  First, I (Aamir) makes the designs. Mujeeb and Youhan dig the nails in the pattern that is to be designed. Mustakeem then uses the strings in patterns to complete this art.

The most difficult part in making of string art is the digging of nails, it seems to be an easy task, but it takes a lot of time and efforts as we have to dig the nails only half and too close. And most importantly, we take into consideration each other’s suggestion which is important for the overall process and progress.

Yours in a new kind of venture and Kashmiris usually take time to absorb something new. What kind of response you usually get from people?

Our customers are satisfied and all above we love what we are doing . The only thing that bothers us is that in general people don’t pay any attention to this kind of art and we have to explain what we do every-time to people. We need people to accept this art too.

You are To-Be inspiration for many who want to work out of the box . Any message for them

Everyone is blessed with something unique in them and all they need is to recognize their ‘Strength’ . You need to examine and know who you really are and what are you capable of doing . Even if you are blessed with something that you think is common, you should brace it and use it in the way, that makes you stand out of the crowd .

You can order on their Instagram profile here