By Anjuman Ara Begum, TwoCircles.net,
Sarwar Shafique Hannan is only 27 years old now. He completed his Post Graduate Advance Diploma in Fine Arts with specialization in painting from Kala Bhavan, Vishva Bharati Bhavan of Shantiniketan in 2003. There are hundreds of the PG Diploma holders in painting but what makes Sarwar so different, “I am the only artist in Shantipur, a locality in Guwahati,” said Sarwar.
Yes, Sarwar is an artist but an artist with a difference. He is probably the only deaf and dumb artist in Guwahati, Assam. Sarwar’s different ability inspires hundreds of young people today. How was his struggle for survival in a silent world surrounding him? Sarwar speaks his mind to Anjuman Ara Begum.
Born in a silent world
“I was born into a silent world but undaunted my parents, with the help of family and friends, began my education. Slowly I started to understand the silent world around me and learnt to communicate. No doubt the hurdles were many, but each hurdles overcome was an achievement,” narrates Sarwar.
Sarwar Hannan in front of one of his favorite paintings
Sarwar was born in 1978. He was born deaf and dumb. But his parents, Salima Hannan and H.S Hannan could hardly discover that when he was born. “I was so happy when he was born. After two daughters, he was born to our family and we were happy to have a son. He used to laugh a lot when he was very young. It was only when he turned about three years old, we were skeptical about his hearing capacity. We took to doctors in Delhi. And doctors told us to be bold and be practical. We were confirmed that my son will never speak. It was very shocking. But then we accepted the fact as a normal as it happens’, said Sarwar’s mother Salima Hannan, a lecturer in Physics in an Engineering college in the city.
Sarwar knows only one language, English. In his words, “my education started when I was only three years old and I was introduced to English language as a process of ‘speech therapy’. I slowly learnt the basics and then took admission in Guwahati Public school. As I could not hear, my eyes became my ears. I loved to capture the scenes I saw everyday and started drawing them with crayons and later with water colors.”
That was the beginning. Sarwar continued to draw people waiting at railway station, in the road or in his neighbors. He traveled to different places with his parents and could capture the scene well in his art papers. Sarwar never studied in schools for deaf and dump but he studied in schools where other boys and girls study. “This was the best suggestion we got from our doctor. Today my son has no problem in mingling with others as he was brought up as a normal child, not as a disabled child,” said Sarwar’s mother.
After completing Bachelor of Fine Arts from Government college of Arts and Crafts, Guwahati, Sarwar appeared for admission test in PG course in Shanitniketan in painting. There was only one seat reserved for handicapped person which Sarwar could easily qualify. Two years of his study in Tagore’s university sharpened his skills and broadened his personality.
“It was not easy for me to get a job. Everyone liked my profile but as soon as they come to know that I don’t speak, doors were closed for me,” laments Sarwar. Sarwar tried for a government job in Government College of Arts and Crafts. There are six posts of faculty and 3% job is reserved for handicapped people. 3% of six faculty positions is almost nil, hence there was no reservation where he could apply and as a result he couldn’t become a faculty there.
But opportunities did come. Sarwar’s was aptly selected by Maria Public school of Guwahati as Arts teacher in 2004. His selection process included an arts exhibition and the interview panel observed his communication skill with the students. “Some people and students were so happy in the exhibition that one of my paintings got sold.” Sarwar got a job and he is working as arts teacher for last seven years.
Message to Sarwar from a student
Sarwar is very popular among the students. A student wrote in a new year card, ‘dear Sarwar sir, thinking of you makes me smile. Hope it brings a smile to your face too’. Whole day Sarwar keeps himself busy in instructing the students on painting and then over sms when he is at home.
Achievements
Sarwar took part in many exhibitions and many of his creations have been sold. Three of his works were selected for exhibition at ‘Young faces in contemporary Indian art’ at Birla Academy of Arts and Culture, held at Kolkata in 2003. He was also awarded the ‘Sharad Shanti Excellence award’ by the Swarup Group of Industries at Mumbari in December 2004.
Other achievements include drawing of official logo of the Cotton college centenary celebration in May 2000. He also did the illustration of ‘Engrazi Omola Geet’ a book of selected rhymes for the primary schools of Assam in 1999. One of his solo exhibitions of painting held in Guwahati in 2005 showcased 31 of his paintings and was well able to acclaim appreciation. Sarwar was also facilitated by a Guwahati based NGO Atma Nirbhar Ek Challenge for his contribution to contemporary arts.
Dream in Life
Sarwar dreams to be a teacher of arts and reproduce hundreds of Sarwar in life. “I love teaching others the skills required for arts and I enjoy it a lot. I would concentrate more on my paintings in the days to come.”
Life has taught a lot to Sarwar. Each step in life was a challenge. Sarwar found strength in his parents, friends and well wishers. Today his struggle has turned into success and honor and he is on way to lead hundreds of people like him.