Sayeed Bin Mohammed Naqsh was a well-known artist in Hyderabad during the 1960s and 1970s. He played a significant role in the Progressive Art Movement and was known for his endless creativity, which continued until his death in 1982.
Sayeed Bin Mohammed was born on September 7, 1921, in Mahbubnagar District, Telangana. From a young age, he sought to express himself through various art forms. Initially, he mastered portrait painting, heavily influenced by his teacher, Sukumar Deuskar. Sayeed developed his own technique for painting portraits in oil, which differed from traditional Western methods. Later, he began painting with watercolors, creating portraits that were full of life. He often used the color blue in the background of his portraits, a color associated with calmness, tranquility, and spirituality.
One of Sayeed’s most unique works was his ‘self-portraits.’ In one of these self-portraits, he depicted himself along with an image of a mother and child at the top of the canvas. This style of combining the themes of creation and procreation on the same canvas, using intense colors, drew significant attention. In 1945, he was awarded the Chattari Gold Medal for his work.
Like many artists, Sayeed was a keen observer with deep emotions. His feelings would flow onto the canvas, often addressing social issues through his art. One such painting, “Three Animals,” is an example of this.
Sayeed’s art was a blend of realism and abstraction. His brush strokes conveyed emotions through color, and his paintings provided a truthful representation of the world, often highlighting the beauty and importance of everyday life. His abstract art, on the other hand, evoked emotions and ideas through the use of color, shape, and form.
Sayeed was greatly influenced by the Deccani marbled miniature paintings of the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad. His constant quest for new styles and techniques led him to create a unique method of spreading oil color on the surface of water, which he called the “Abri Technique.” This technique allowed him to express himself in abstract forms. He described it as “spreading colors on the surface of water” and giving shape to his vision as the drifting oil colors formed images. This complex technique often resulted in accidental yet passionate creations, and he produced a series of paintings using this method.
In the later years of his life, Sayeed began exploring new ideas, such as painting images based on the lines of the palm. His large-scale paintings were full of rhythm and vigor, often featuring themes like galloping horses or deer running in mystical patterns. His use of colors was never too loud, and his fluid brushstrokes gave his work a unique charm.
Sayeed’s passion for art also made him a great teacher. He served as the Head of the Department of Fine Arts and mentored many famous artists, including Thota Vaikuntam. His legacy continues to inspire, and it is important to encourage today’s generation and art students to be experimental and creative, just as Sayeed was.
In addition to his visual art, Sayeed also wrote poetry in Urdu. His poetry book, “Rang o Ahang,” reflects his love for colors and visual art. His artistic journey and contributions remind us of the importance of creativity and innovation in the world of art.
