Onika Maheshwari/ New Delhi 

"Art is not what one sees; it's what an artist wants you to see," said Asghar Ali, a veteran painter, and the holder of several world records. This Delhi-based artist has also taken on the responsibility of spreading the message of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb (Inclusiveness) in society through his art.

Asgar Ali has made more than 50 paintings based on Lord Krishna

In a conversation with Awaz-the Voice, Asgar Ali said that he was deeply influenced by Shri Krishna's childhood form. "The colors of his peacock feathers and flute can attract any painter."

World's longest Painting created by Asgar Ali and team

Asgar Ali has created more than 50 paintings focusing on the childhood form of Shri Krishna, his youth, his objectives in the Mahabharata war as well as his leela (stories). 

He says that the beauty of a painting lies in details. "I have also tried to show this thing very well in my paintings," he said.

Asgar Ali had also organized an exhibition of his Krishna-themed paintings at the recently concluded International Geeta Mahotsav at Kurukshetra, Haryana where people had praised his works.

Asgar Ali's biggest work to date is a 50x30 feet painting created on the occasion of the foundation stone laying ceremony of Lord Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. This work is certified as the world's largest Painting. The painting has been gifted to the Office of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Students of Kalabhumi Fine Arts Institute

Ali says that an artist knows no boundaries. He wants to inspire the coming generations through his art. "I also want to promote harmony and amity in society through my art."

Asgar Ali is the founder of Kalabhumi Institute if Fine Arts, which is located in Dwarka, Delhi.

Asgar received a Fine Arts degree from Jamia Millia Islamia. Ali, who hails from Shahbad Mohammadpur village in Delhi, said that during his college days, he bagged projects to work on various religious texts, which helped him improve his art.

His guru Ram Babu made him aware of the depths of Shri Krishna's life.

Exam time in Kalabhumi

Asgar has also made paintings based on Ganesha, Gautam Buddha and nature.

To understand Shri Krishna, he also spent time in Mathura, Vrindavan, and Yamuna Ghats.

His favourite painting of Shri Krishna is the one in which a "Gopi is struggling with a thorn in her foot and Krishna is smiling at her from behind a tree."

Asgar Ali says that there is an artist inside everyone. Recently he organized a workshop for prisoners in Delhi's Tihar Jail where he found that all the inmates were interested in art. "Many want to pursue art as their passion and source of livelihood on their release."

Asghar admitted that painting is not allowed in Islam. Asghar told Awaz The Voice that when he started painting, his family told him that if he wanted to make art a career, he would have to take care of himself and should not expect support from them."

Works of a student at Kalabhumi

Ali struggled and made it big with his determination and passion.

He travelled from Delhi to Gurugram by bicycle. Initially, he started teaching painting to 30 children who sat on a mat in Shahbad village. Today, more than 7,000 students are learning painting in his institute 'Kalabhumi'.

Students from states like Assam, West Bengal, Kolkata, etc. are coming to him to learn art. The special thing is that people from all sections of society are included in them, whether they are retired bankers, housewives, or youth.

 Asgar Ali said that many world records are registered in the name of 'Kalabhumi' which includes Limca Book of Records, High Range Book of World Records, Asia Book of Records, World Wide Book of Records, Marvels Book of Records, India Book of Records.

A record making event by Asgar Ali's students

Asgar Ali has also displayed his artworks abroad. His shows were held in Dubai, Singapore, and Thailand.

 Asgar Ali told Awaz that his most expensive painting was sought to be bought by an art lover in Dubai for Rs 45 lakhs. But being close to his heart, he did not sell it. “I had given 3 years of my life to the work; it was a stippling artwork.” 

Asgar Ali said, “Today many of my students are running their own art classes in Ladakh, and Assam, I am happy to know this.”

Asgar Ali said that the artistic journey is not easy, especially in today's era when people have started liking modern art too. His advice to budding artists: Be ready to try new things and explore different ways of art. Adopt experimentation and do not be afraid of making mistakes or taking risks. 

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He admits that today, any art is easily available through Artificial Intelligence. In such a situation, artist Asgar Ali refused to accept AI tools as his competition and said that "AI is interesting and instead of competition, it should be seen and adopted as a 'smart tool'. Creative people should use AI arts in such a way that it does not become their crutch."