AN ARTISTIC ODE TO FALLEN SOLDIERS
Delhibased artist Hutansh Verma creates portraits that reintroduce the deceased soldiers of the Indian Army to their families
Nikita Saxena
Art has the power to heal. And a strong believer of this thought is Hutansh Verma — a 26-year-old self-taught artist, who makes portraits of Indian soldiers killed in action, and gifts them to their families. Under his initiative, Portraits of Patriots, over 30 portraits have reached these families, while over 65 have been made and over 90 requested.
“The latest portrait that I’ve made is of Captain Pawan Kumar, who was killed leading an operation in Jammu and Kashmir,” says Verma, adding, “Creating his portrait was the hardest, since he was younger to me and could have chosen a life of comfort. But, he chose to serve the nation.” Verma says that the creative process of 24-40 hours includes selecting photographs to create the portraits and is heart wrenching. He says, “It’s important that I get their features and expressions right. So I choose a few photographs, in consultation with their families, and then I sketch them. When I went to Captain Pawan Kumar’s house, his mother started crying.Tears welled up in my eyes, too.”
Encouraged by his father, Verma started making these portraits in 2014. “This was my father’s suggestion. I did my research on the Kargil War (1999) and made my first portrait of Captain Vijayant Thapar. When my father saw my work, he told me to get in touch with his family. And when I did, his family told me that it was like seeing their son in person. Then I contacted the Army HQ, who wanted me to come in September, but my visit got postponed to October. During that period, I lost my father,” he says. The Indian Army has been a pillar of support for Verma. “After viewing my portraits, I got a call from the Army Headquarters. Some of my portraits were displayed at the Manek Shaw Centre on Army Day. Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat recognised me, and said, ‘You must be Hutansh’. What’s more honourable than this!” he smiles.