Maheen Shabir is a 23 year old Paper crafting artist from Srinagar, Kashmir. Like her name her work is delicate and beautifully crafted. In a short span of time this girl has made quite a name for herself despite having a speech and hearing impairment.
Overcoming such a challenge is not easy but then to turn into a self taught paper craft maker is a whole feat in itself.
Currently she pursues Home Science degree from Women’s College M.A road while also finding time to come up with the most creative and intricate paper designs you will ever see.
Maheen’s journey hasn’t been without its fair share of road blocks, most of all her speech impediment and hearing disability proving to be a major hindrance. But this girl wasn’t the one to give up easily.
She credits her father for helping her overcome the most difficult times of her life. Since had difficulty in hearing, she couldn’t comprehend what others were saying, but her father lended a hand almost literally and in a fashion that perhaps only a parent can.
She says how her father used to place a finger inside her mouth, aiding her to spell words, identifying which words are spoken in what way from the mouth. This proved to be life changing for the young artist as she didn’t look back after this.
She casually made a gift card for one of her friends, which wowed and impressed all those who say the intricate work she had done.
This was the beginning of her plunge into the world of art. She soon began crafting various artworks made of paper and decorated her household.
After a suggestion Maheen opened a social media account to display her works and her craft was now reaching a broader audience. The talented girl from Gojwara began receiving orders to create more such custom made works. She was flooded with praise and appreciation from all over social media.
Her works include wall hangings, different varieties of jewelry boxes and many other things, while at times she also like to make mehendi designs.
While she was encouraged to carry on, there some detractors as well who told her that art from paper won’t be successful and there is no use of pursuing it. But Maheen came up with an apt response.
She said instead of rolling up and throwing paper in the dustbin, wasting it one can make something really beautiful which delights the heart.
Maheen also says given the current scenario with children unable to attend schools, their creativity has been hampered as such it is important for them to learn various art forms at home. According to her, parents should take the initiative and help their kids to expolore creative ways to express themselves.
Jon Keates said ‘A thing of beauty is joy forever‘ and that holds true when it comes to the work Maheen does.
Maheen Shabir is a sign a courage and inspiration to everyone and truly a thing of beauty in her own.