Indian envoy opens forum for Indian artists in Qatar

An Indian artist forum named Visual Artist Forum India (VAFI) was launched with a three-day painting workshop in Doha on Saturday.

India’s Ambassador to Qatar HE Sanjiv Arora inaugurated the forum and the workshop at a function at Birala Public School. The workshop will run until Monday. Lighting of the traditional lamp jointly by VAFI patron Mohan Thomas, Qatari artist Yousef Ahmad and wife of the Indian Ambassador Chhaya Arora marked the opening of the ceremony.

Chhaya Arora and Yousef Ahmad also painted on a canvas prepared for the honourable guests. The workshop on the theme ‘Qatar through the eyes of an artist’ and ‘Nostalgia of my home country’ was attended by 22 Indian artists. Each participant will create two art pieces on the canvas at the workshop. A panel of jury will select the winning paintings done at the workshop.

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In his inaugural speech, Arora said that the Indian embassy would always be supportive of this noble organisation and its efforts. He described the two themes selected for the workshop as quite appropriate. 

Mohan Thomas said that the forum would provide a platform for Indian visual artists in Qatar to hone and showcase their art. “VAFI will be an entity that will endeavour to identify, nurture and promote Indian visual artists helping them to unlock their full potential and produce artworks of international quality, eventually leading to their becoming celebrated painters,” Thomas said.

Qatari artist Yousef Ahmad expressed his delight over being associated with the forum, and felt proud to be part of its mission. He said he was wonder-struck by the presence of so many talented artists in the Indian expat community in Qatar.

The artists participating in the workshop include SreeKumar Padmanabhan, Patric Rozario, Sauman Pal, Shamim Zakia, Regint Varghese, Renjith K Kutty, Amit Chakraborty, Amit Majumdar, Manjunath, Prahalladan, Santhosh, Sageer, Henry Joseph, Surendranath, Shajee Chelad, Mahesh BP, Smita Aloni, Vasu Vanimal, Amritha, Haimvati, Pooja P Jayan and George.

source: Qatar Tribune