It's been six months since the residents of Kashmir Valley were hit by one of the deadliest floods in living memory. Images of wreckage and desolation played in a loop for almost two weeks on news channels. Thousands of families were tossed back to the starting line after their homes, vehicles, shops and animals were entirely swept away.
The process of recovery, limping through the biting winter months, has been slow but persistent. Two weeks ago, Kashmir appeared on the verge of another catastrophic disaster. Incessant rain triggered flash-floods and landslides that buried 16 people under their collapsed houses.
But the devastation of the September floods also gave to heartwarming generosity of those who sent medicines and clothes, the courage of volunteers from India and abroad, who went to help in the Valley, and the intense determination of Kashmiris to rebuild their lives.
In an effort to rekindle that spirit of giving, an exhibition and fundraiser auction of contemporary art, showcasing the work of leading and emerging artists of Kashmir, is being held in Delhi on Saturday. More than 80 percent of the profits from the event, called “re start,” will be donated to the flood recovery process, according to its organisers Loudbeetle and Kashmir Art Quest
Participants include famed artists like Veer Munshi, Rajinder Tiku and Masood Hussain as well as emerging contemporary artists like Mujtaba Rizvi and Malik Sajad. Delhi artists include Puneet Kaushik, Anindita Bhattacharya, Ritu Kamath, and Satadru Sovan.
Here are some of the pieces in the auction, which will be held from 6:00 pm at vis-à-vis 2 North Drive, DLF Farms Chattarpur.
Kashmiri artists and art
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