Dubai based painter honours UAE martyrs

9/10/2015 2:39:56 AM

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)A prolific Dubai-based Indian artist has begun a series of paintings honouring the sacrifice of the UAE's martyrs in Yemen.

Professional illustrator Akbar Saheb 50 originally from Udupi in the southwestern Indian state of Karnataka is perhaps best known locally for his series of 4.5 feet by 6 feet portraits of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi one of which he personally gifted to the PM during his August visit.

Now however Saheb has shifted his focus to the sacrifices of Emirati soldiers killed in Yemen. His latest work entitled "A Tribute to the Brave Soldiers" depicts the helmet of a fallen soldier atop a rifle next to a UAE flag in a landscape scarred by war.

"When I heard that 45 soldiers were killed and there was a mourning period I thought that I must show my respect for them" he said. "At first I wanted to paint each of the 45 faces but I have so far been unable to find enough information about each of them."

Saheb who has lived in the UAE for 21 years said that he feels as though this country is now home and was personally moved by the losses inflicted on the country's forces in Yemen.

"I came here alone so many years ago. Now my family is here. My children have grown up here" he said. "The UAE is my home. Whatever I do here I do it for this country."

Looking towards the future Saheb said he would continue to create art inspired by the UAE.

"I've already done 38 paintings of Shaikh Zayed. For 2020 I have done a 10 feet by 6 feet gigantic painting of Shaikh Mohammed" he said. "The UAE is doing good things and I will continue to paint them. Most definitely."

Bernd Debusmann Jr. Originally from Mexico City I've been in Dubai since January 2015. Before arriving in in the UAE I worked as a general news reporter in TV and print in Mexico City NYC and Washington DC. I'm interested in defence issues politics technology aviation and history. In my spare time i enjoy traveling and football - I'm a keen fan of Chelsea FC. I developed an interest in the Middle East traveling through Jordan and the West Bank. I have a BA in Political Science from Dickinson College in the USA and an MA in International Journalism from City University London.

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