Collection: GHULAM RASOOL SANTOSH

In the picturesque village of Dab, on the outskirts of Srinagar, Kashmir, a young Ghulam Rasool Dar, later known as Ghulam Rasool Santosh, was born in 1929 with an innate gift – a profound love for nature. This treasure, often overlooked in ordinary Indian households, would become the cornerstone of his artistic journey.

As a child, Santosh would meander to school, captivated by the breathtaking beauty of Kashmir. His daily commute, though delayed, was a sensory feast – strolling through fields, under orchards, and drinking in the majesty of his surroundings. The headmaster’s reprimands for his tardiness were silenced by Santosh’s innocent yet profound explanation, revealing a deep-seated connection with nature.

Santosh’s affinity for art and nature was rooted in his ancestral heritage. His father served as a policeman, but his grandfather practiced the traditional Kashmiri craft of ornamental painting on papier-mâché. Though details of his early years are scarce, it’s likely that Santosh watched his grandfather bring papier-mâché to life with vibrant brushstrokes, learning the fundamentals of art under expert guidance.