Cleaning Devika with Brushstrokes

With development came destruction too. With more town and city extensions, industrial establishments and consumerism hype, our lives got better but our surroundings got many folds worse. So basically our development comes under a question mark if we consider the destruction it has brought to the nature. And no one seems to be concerned. But at the bank of River Devika, in Udhampur, you will find some paintings on the walls, in which Devika, believed to be one of the holy rivers, is portrayed as a female figure with a demon by its side. Interesting thing about these paintings is that the demon is holding waste materials in all of his ten arms and releasing them into Devika.

These paintings are created by a college going girl MEDHAVI SHARMA. She is seemingly an ordinary girl who is, apperently, extraordinary talented. She has been embellished by several awards and accolades right from the childhood, intra-school, inter-school and of all sorts; 1st position in painting competition organized by International Institute of Fashion Design, 2007; International best child artist award, 2008; Best incoming talent, Resurgence SMVDU, 2014; Best person in fine arts, Resurgence SMVDU 2015; Recognition reward by VISION 2020 for Devika wall mural, 2016; Art exhibition and recognition award at 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' event by the English Academy, 2016; 1st position in Fashion show Resurgence 2016, a theme based event where participants were supposed to design and create costumes out of waste. She is an inspiration for others who make excuses for not pursuing their dreams and a role model for other artists who are struggling to keep the fire burning. AKRITI JAMWAL talked to this young girl and tried to know the recipe of her life.

Tell us briefly about yourself.
My name is Medhavi Sharma. I hail from Udhampur. I am an artist by heart and engineer by mind; a person who is fuelled by creativity and passion yet pursuing B. Tech in Computer Science Engineering from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University in Katra, currently.
Tell us about your dual life as a student and a painter. Why this dual life when you can focus and excel in one?
Art is like air to me. I can never stop being an artist as long as I breathe. I am a reserved person so art is my way of expression; my way of meditation and happiness. Being a CSE student I can keep learning about new technology. It helps my mind get a broader vision. Even when I am sitting in my classroom studying about software development, my mind understands things from a creative perspective.
I chose this dual life because I believe that art and technology are not two separate things. There is art in technology and technology in art. And knowing both equips your mind in a beautiful way. I have always been a curious learner. My interest in studies makes me an engineer and my never ending love for art makes me an artist. I believe one can excel in both.

What are your aspirations?
I aspire to take art to a whole new level; to make it a medium of expression and awareness. My parents have always supported and encouraged me to keep pursuing art. It is their belief in me that keeps me going.
Being born and brought up in Udhampur, I have deep love for this place. And I dream to establish the place as an art hub, sometime in future, so that the art fanatics don't fall short of opportunities to hone their skills.

What is your earliest memory of painting? What do you think triggered 'artist genes' in you?
I have been painting ever since the time I can recall. But one of my earliest memories of painting which is very close to my heart is of an oil pastel painting of an old man playing violin, which I sent for an international art competition and bagged my first international gold medal, when I was in 5th standard. My parents and my art teacher Mr. S. S. Baloria (renowned Basoli Painting artist) encouraged me a lot at that time. I believe that triggered the artistic passion.
Your paintings have made people aware about the cleanliness of River Devika. Tell us about it.
One fine evening, my father took me to the Devika temple and while walking through the place, he told me that when he was a kid, Devika's water used to be crystal clean; so clean that it was used as drinking water. Many people used to do Devika-snan to purify their soul. I looked at the water which was almost black, badly polluted with waste materials, polythene bags and what not and it was then that the idea to aware people through paintings, struck me. I discussed the issue with many people including the pujaris, residents and other people. With huge support from VISION-2020, I painted the Devika wall mural. We are the ones who created that demon, I painted, over years and now that the demon is going out of control, harming our holy Devika. Many people pass by that place. I hope the repeated flashing of this wall message in their eyes inscribes it in their mind and they stop throwing waste into the holy river. The day Devika gets pollution free, I will go and erase that demon from the painting.

What other subjects you are working on or planning to work on?
I've been exploring the art, craft and cuisine of Jammu and Kashmir and I'm utterly intrigued by the prodigious diversity it has to offer. It's like, whenever I feel - "Ok! That's it "....There appears another door to an abundance of rich heritage.

What is it like to be a painter in J&K? Your word for other aspirants.
J&k is a beautiful place. I believe it offers the best environment to explore your inner self and let it speak out as art. Although more work should be done to increase the number of learning platforms and opportunities. I'm particularly in love with the native art forms and craft like the Basoli painting, artwork on Kashmiri paper mache, intricate wood carving, the infamous Pashmina shawls, namdas (carpets), ari work, ladakh's jewellery with those beautiful stones, wall paintings at various monasteries. Jammu and Kashmir is definitely a place where an artist can groom his skills. My words for other aspirants: Art is God's way of telling that he loves you. Let art speak your heart's voice and add to the world's beauty.

What according to you has been your biggest achievement?

On a non-materialistic note, I believe sustaining that inner child who dreams and believes in art despite the rat race, has been my greatest achievement. On the materialistic side, there have been many awards and accolades.

What is the next step on the ladder?
I want to work at more places. I have always wanted to visit orphanage and old age homes, so that I can paint their walls with happiness. Moreover Presently I am working on paintings for a book that is about to get published, "Parshuram Aakhyan", written by Mrs. Kusum Sharma, my mother.

What would be your message to women out there.
Hustle, chase that dream of yours and keep that fire burning; One day, your family will be known by your name.