In the small village of Ajar in Bandipora, where dreams often struggle to find wings, a young girl has used her brushes to carve history. Carrying forward her homeland’s legacy of art and learning, Seerat Tariq, a budding artist from north Kashmir, has become the first Kashmiri girl to win a gold medal and enter the Influencer Book of World Records for her remarkable talent in tribal art painting.
On August 17, 2025, Seerat received the honour at the International Centre in Jaipur, Rajasthan, for her artwork celebrating Kashmir’s mountain landscapes and tribal portraits. The recognition has placed her not only on the national map but also among international achievers, making her a symbol of inspiration for Kashmiri youth.
Seerat’s schooling began at the Army Goodwill School in Bandipora before she completed her higher secondary education at Government Girls Higher Secondary School in the town. Her artistic vision grew deeper with time.
“I was always passionate about painting and calligraphy,” she said. “During the Covid-19 lockdown, when I was in Class 7, I had more time to practise. That is when I started making sketches, portraits, and calligraphy, which helped me polish my skills.”
