Expressing devotion for UAE in an artistic way

Dubai - Indian artist known for Shaikh Zayed paintings, now takes up his brush for Shaikh Nahyan

A prolific Dubai-based artist has reached another milestone in his career by having one of his works of art delivered to Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Social Development.
Professional illustrator Akbar Saheb, 50, who hails from Udipi 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 gifted to the PM during his August visit.
In September, Akbar shifted his focus to the sacrifices of Emirati soldiers killed while serving in Yemen.
His work titled "A Tribute to the Brave Soldiers" depicted the helmet of a fallen soldier atop a rifle, next to a UAE landscape scarred by war.
His latest career achievement was made possible by the Indian embassy, which delivered the painting to Shaikh Nahyan along with a brochure about an already completed series of paintings of the late Shaikh Zayed - one for each year of his time as President of the UAE.
Saheb hopes the government will display it in a museum.
"Between 1997 and 2004, I worked on the series without stop and without going to India," he told Khaleej Times.
"When I came to Dubai, I always heard about his charities for the people. He gave millions and millions, and every day I heard more and more. So I decided to do the painting." "Each painting is for something he did in his life," Saheb added.
"To do research, I even spoke to some of the older people to find out what Shaikh Zayed was like in the beginning, long before I arrived in the UAE." Akbar said his most recent painting of Shaikh Nahyan, which was delivered by Indian embassy officials, is simply the latest in a long series of paintings depicting the UAE's leadership and culture.
"He was very excited and happy with the painting, and with the Shaikh Zayed series," Saheb said.
"He's a very happy man, and always smiling. I think he's a great leader and very nice and open for the people (of the UAE). I'm very happy with his reaction."
Additionally, in anticipation of Dubai Expo 2020 Saheb has completed a massive 10 feet by 6 feet painting of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
"I always knew that Dubai would win the Expo. I felt it," he said.
"Shaikh Mohammed is a very dynamic leader, and he's always thinking about the country and how to make it and its infrastructure better. He thinks ten years into the future. I've done 33 pictures of him, in all."
Saheb added that his paintings are done out of a deep love and appreciation for the UAE, which he now considers home. "I came here in 1996, alone. Now I have a wife and three children who have grown up here," he said.
"I respect this country. The UAE has given me everything. That's why I have done all these paintings."
bernd@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE