Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
The PaintBrush Art Community, founded in 2018 by Sonal Purohit and Dr. Romit Purohit with the purpose of providing a strong platform for artists and artisans, curated its third season celebrations of the UAE’s Eid Al Etihad (National Day) on November 23 with an exhibition held under the auspices of Ajman Tourism at Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel, Ajman. The title of the exhibition ‘Teslam UAE’ (Thank You, UAE), Sonal Purohit said, referred to the “theme of gratitude for the great nation that is an extraordinary example of peace, tolerance and compassion for the whole world. The UAE is a country that is a world in itself. People of all faiths and nationalities flourish here with equal opportunities to progress.”
Taking part in the exhibition were artists from different nationalities, who lived up to the concept of the event by creating artworks that portrayed UAE’s hospitable heritage and open culture. The inaugural ceremony took place at Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel and was graced by distinguished guests and renowned artists from all over the Emirates. “The expectation is that the Paintbrush Art Community will always host larger than life art exhibitions that are no less than festivals,” said Community co-founder, Dr. Romit Purohit. “The PaintBrush Art Community raises the bar with every new event and I am sure people are not disappointed when they attend the art feast ‘Teslam UAE’.”
Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel GM Iftikhar Hamdani, who is well known for his support for the art fraternity, spoke of the eminence of the UAE and the way the nation has proved itself as the safest, most progressive and compassionate country in the world. Ajman Tourism, patron of the exhibition and Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel, were gifted an eight-foot-long artwork, specially created for the occasion by legendary artist Gori Yusuf Husen, who had travelled from India to attend the event. He is one of the very few Indian artists who work on manuscripts and traditional Islamic art. He produces heritage pieces whose styles are 300 to 800 years old, with materials of that period, like leather. He also creates miniatures and oil paintings.
Chief Guest, Ahmed Al Hosani (the UAE’s first classical singer and also an artist) showed his support, congratulating the artists. Dr. Sanjay Paithankar, renowned doctor based in the UAE who has served around 10 million patients for free in the past few years, graciously attended the event. The UAE Government has honoured him with several awards for his humanitarian services. ‘Teslam UAE’ was a time for the artists to thank him for his selfless services.
Celebrity classical artist and co-founder of Aadi Shakti Music and Dance Institute and winner of the talent show in India ‘The Voice of India’, Atit Pandey, was present. He is a Kathak dancer and a decorated singer. His wife, Aparna Pathak, who is also a renowned Kathak dancer and winner of a Navi Mumbai beauty pageant, put on a flawless Kathak performance, enthralling the audience. Among the esteemed guests from the art world were Anjini Prakash Laitu, Sultana Kazim and Ahmed Al Awadhi (Rukni). “They are all pillars of our Community and have been selflessly rendering their support to art,” Sonal Purohit said.
Indian media giants like Zee TV and Pakistani media SRY News were present to cover the event, which not only paid homage to the priceless dignity, peace and well-being the UAE has nurtured, but also underlined the unity that made it possible. The 25 artworks which have been displayed in the lobby of Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel for a period of two weeks, have been created by the following artists: Amira Azmy (Egypt); Amtul Momin Sadia, Anjum Daud, Aparna Shere, Avigyan Bhattacharya, Dr. Habiba Mazahir Arsiwala, Gori Yusuf Husen, Hena Shakeel Ahmed, Iram Parvez Habeeb, Prabita Rajesh, Priya Deepak, Ruchita Tataria, Shahjahanbi S. Shaikh, Shifa Khan, Shireen Naaz, Sonal Purohit, Karishma Sood (all from India); Beenish Malik, Dr. Naureen Izhar, Sahar Shahid, Saima Furqan (all from Pakistan); Labiba Ferhat (Algeria); and Mazen Arabi (Lebanon).
The artwork titled ‘Celebrations Galore’ by versatile host and popular artist, Prabita Rajesh, was unanimously chosen by guests as their favourite piece. Sonal Purohit was elated by the way the event had turned out. “The PaintBrush Art Community has set the standards high for contemporaries,” she said. According to her, ‘Teslam UAE’ was the biggest and most popular art exhibition of the year, to include emotions of gratitude and love for the leadership and the UAE. Dr. Romit Purohit, who is a renowned doctor himself, has been conferred several humanitarian awards such as A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award and Atal Bihari Vajpayee Award, for his commitment to society and charitable works. He had the audience on their toes with witty comments, displaying a flair for impromptu dialogue. “‘Teslam UAE’ is not just an exhibition by international artists, but also a heartfelt presentation of their emotions of gratitude for a great nation, where they have been welcomed and given opportunities to develop and flourish,” he said. “‘Teslam UAE’ cannot conclude without sharing the words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who said that what makes us proud of our UAE is not the height of our buildings, the breadth of our streets, or the magnitude of our shopping malls, but the openness and tolerance of our nation.”