5 JULY 2022 /

SANGEETA GUPTA /

VISUAL DIARY OF A PASSIONATE OUTSIDER /

 “I do not consider myself a mere tourist or an outsider.  My strong conviction and belief is that I belong to this land of mystique”, Sangeeta Guptha, renowned artist, Poet and Filmmaker talks about her documentary – KASHMIR.

Suddenly I found myself in Jammu and Kashmir in the midst of turmoil, uncertainty and chaos where life seemed to be going in reverse gear. After long years spent in Delhi it was a big jolt to my life.

Maybe a new beginning!

What was in store for me?

I often sought an answer from the universe.

KASHMIR PART I

This is going to be a period of hibernation.  A high profile me decided to have a no -profile for the time being.

 It was time to introspect, search the purpose, the mission of my very existence on this planet.

Gradually I started to understand this State, its people, their art and culture and more precisely its spirit.

KASHMIR PART 2

The tranquil beauty of the place took my breath away, it seeped inside me. Nature in its bounty had a healing effect on me.

 It enriched me and I found solace in my own company.

This was the beginning of my connection with myself.

I started a walk within, found a road to reach my own being.

While traveling inside I also found that travelling outside was also a part of knowing my own self. Photography and video making engulfed me with such intense passion that I thought of making a documentary film on Kashmir.

KASHMIR PART 3

The poets of the valley, especially Habba Khatoon and Lal Ded have always been a great source of inspiration, the Sufi philosophy is very close to my heart and I am a firm believer of Shiv and Shakti.

I do not consider myself a mere tourist or an outsider.

My strong conviction and belief is that I belong to this land of mystique.

While engaging myself with the mysteries of nature I have tried to understand my own self.