A painting by Sultan Muzaffar Azad. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Patna, June 14: At a time when young artists are moving on to modern and abstract art, one man is holding on to the traditional style of painting. Meet Sultan Muzaffar Azad, 52, who is working towards the revival of Patna Qulam or Patna school of painting.

Patna Qulam, which is very similar to Mughal miniature painting, is more satisfying, says Azad. “I can do both modern and abstract art, but I find Mughal painting more creative and satisfying. I want this style to be alive and feel that young painters should take it up in their work.”

Azad, a resident of Ara, has been artistically inclined since childhood, even though he does not have a degree from any institution. His first painting, he said, was a miniature portrait that was much appreciated by people.

It was in the 1970s that he learnt about to Patna Qulam. He said: “In 1976, I met Radha Mohan Babu, then teacher of College of Arts and Crafts, Patna, who introduced me to this style of painting. I loved it and since then have made several paintings in the same style.”

Azad’s portraits present a fusion of the two schools — Mughal miniature and Patna Qulam.

Azad said while he draws his subjects from Mughal painting, he incorporates his own style by adding a background. However, unlike Mughal painting, Patna Qulam uses simple watercolours and not rich chemical colours.

He added: “The Patna school of painting is remarkable for its simplicity, both in its form and subject matter. The paintings, which depict the common society, flourished in the late 19th century when it was brought by people who did not belong to the nobility.”

As a mark of his dedication to the school, Azad has also made a portrait of Ishwari Prasad, the last recognised painter of the school.

Azad, who earns his living by making portraits, said his painting classes don’t draw any students, as young painters believe that modern and abstract art are more in demand.

“I work on my own and I don’t want to be attached with any organisation because I feel that my creativity will suffer. At present, I am working on a painting of Krishnaleela,” he said, adding that he wishes to hold an exhibition of his work, as he feels that Patna Qulam is a valuable heritage of Bihar and should be kept alive. The school has the potential to become famous outside India, just as the much-acclaimed Madhubani school painting.