Mahatma Gandhi painting Created Without Paint, Ink, Brush or Colors Using Only Discarded Polythene Waste by Kashmiri Artist Mudasir Rehman Dar
KULGAM, July 06:
Mudasir Rehman Dar, a Kashmir-based contemporary social artist and painter from Kulpora, Kulgam, Jammu & Kashmir, is known for his philosophy of “Art for Cause.” He has created an innovative extraordinary portrait of Mahatma Gandhi using only discarded polythene bags and plastic waste—without a single drop of paint, ink, color, or even a brush. Believed to be one of the first artworks of its kind from Kashmir, India, the innovative artwork transforms environmental waste into a powerful tribute to the Father of the Nation while promoting the values of sustainability, recycling, environmental responsibility, and innovation in contemporary eco-art.
At a time when plastic pollution poses one of the world’s greatest environmental challenges and global environmental issues continue to demand urgent action, Art for Cause artist Mudasir Rehman Dar has reimagined discarded polythene as an artistic medium. Every piece of waste plastic was carefully selected, cut, and meticulously arranged to create Mahatma Gandhi’s iconic portrait, reflecting his simplicity, cleanliness, non-violence, and responsible living.
The eco-friendly portrait supports campaigns such as “Say No to Plastic,” “Swachh Bharat (Clean India),” and “Kabaad Se Jugaad,” demonstrating that discarded materials can be transformed into meaningful works of art instead of becoming a burden on the environment. The artwork also highlights how innovation and creativity can provide powerful solutions to global environmental challenges.
For Mudasir Rehman Dar, the artwork is more than a portrait—it is a call to rethink humanity’s relationship with waste. By giving discarded plastic a second life, he encourages people to reduce single-use plastics, embrace recycling, and take collective responsibility for protecting nature.
Mudasir Rehman Dar is an innovative and unique contemporary artist known for creating paintings and public art installations from discarded polythene and other waste materials to raise awareness about climate change, global issues, environmental degradation, biodiversity conservation, and responsible waste management. His installations have been exhibited in schools, parks, village roadsides, and community spaces, encouraging people of all ages to reflect on the impact of plastic pollution.
Through environmental workshops, educational activities, and community outreach, he continues to demonstrate how creativity can become a powerful force for environmental awareness and social change. His pioneering approach to transforming discarded plastic into meaningful works of art has made him one of Kashmir’s distinctive voices in environmental art.
As Mudasir Rehman Dar says, “Art should not only decorate. It should awaken.”
The artwork concludes with a simple yet memorable public message:
“Shehar Ko Na Karo Maila, Haath Mein Le Chalo Thaila.”
