Abhishek Khajuria
Being a journalist leads to the Press Club of Jammu regularly. Rarely would a casual person notice an art studio in the vicinity. Especially in a city where almost everybody aspires for an engineering or a medical career for one’s kids; who’d bother to notice an art studio. Little curiosity set my eyes on the words ‘Kesar Art Circle’. I went inside to meet Bhushan Kesar, a gentleman with twinkling eyes and a generous smile.
Born in the year 1948, Katra, Bhushan Kesar is an eminent and veteran painter of the state. He began his studies from the Lady Noyce School, New Delhi. Beginning with hobby courses at the Institute of Music & Fine Arts, Jammu, Mr. Kesar got further trained in the arts from the College of Art, New Delhi where he got a 5 year Diploma in Applied Arts.
Immediately after finishing his studies, he pioneered to set up Kesar Art Circle in Jammu in the year 1975. A few years after setting up the studio, Mr. Bhushan got a job of Print Making in the Institute of Music & Fine Arts, Jammu. With his unwavering spirit to instill art culture among Jammuities, he continued working in his studio along with the job. Although retired from the job, he continues to work as Art Instructor in his studio consistently for the last 41 years.
The studio is open for casual to serious art lovers. Many of Mr. Kesar’s students, including his son, have become professional artists, joined the prestigious National Institute of Design while some are instructing in art schools across the country.
Like other artists of the country, Bhushan Kesar, also, has presented his artworks in exhibitions and art shows all over the country. He has been felicitated and awarded by many government and non-government organisations but the most inspiring part is that he did it all in spite of his limitations. Yes he’s limited by speech and hearing, yet his life story seems like a success story of any regular person. Although he can’t hear and speak, yet he faced life like anybody and has earned more respect and success than many of us. Jammu is blessed to have such an inspiring personality.
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