Tihar inmates paint dreams of freedom
For feelings that words can’t express, there’s a canvas. When inmates in Tihar jail started painting their thoughts, little did they know that they would come this far. The recent exhibition of works by Tihar inmates, called “Colours of Hope” presented by Siddhartha Vashishta Charitable Trust in the capital displayed the aspirations and dreams of a “free tomorrow” that inmates hope for.
From straight lines to expressive faces of Lord Krishna to beautiful landscapes, the works offer an insight into a world less known. “As a child, I used to paint with my grandfather, who was an expert in abstract paintings and Thangka miniatures. And when I was in prison, I started painting landscapes and places where I imagined myself to be. I wanted to be a free bird and painting landscapes gave me that satisfaction,” says Dal Lama who has served ten years in jail.
Those who have worked with inmates and taught them the art share that it wasn’t easy for inmates to express themselves on canvas. Prof Zargar Zahoor, dean, faculty of fine arts, Jamia Millia Islamia, says, “The inmates mostly start with basic strokes on blank papers. They jot lines on paper to express their inner desires. One of the inmates once painted a paper black with a white blank in between. When I asked him why he had left that space, he said, ‘I’m waiting to be released from here and this white space is my hope’. I was really touched.”
Artist Kamlesh, who has worked closely with the inmates and has been conducting painting workshops in Tihar, says that he has seen a remarkable change in the attitude of many prisoners after they started painting. “I was invited to teach them in 2010 and over the last few months there’s a change in the mindset of many of these inmates who are painting. They were reluctant to talk initially but now they express themselves freely through their works. They use bright colours, which means they’re hopeful of a better tomorrow. Most of these inmates have an expert hand in art,” says Kamlesh.
The paintings are available for sale at the Siddhartha Vashishta Charitable Trust office in the capital, the proceeds of which would help the families of inmates.
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