Dubai/Bhubaneswar: Dubai-based artist Mona Biswarupa Mohanty, a native of Baripada in Odisha, has become the first Odia to receive the coveted UAE’s ‘golden visa’, which will allow her to live, stay and work in the country for 10 years.
Daughter of lyricist and poet Sangram Keshari Mohanty, Biswarupa said that these milestones in life mean a lot. “They reassure you that if you listen to your heart and follow your passion, slowly and eventually you will be rewarded in more ways than you can imagine,” she said.
THE GOLDEN VISA
She said that the visa is a testimony to her hard work and perseverance and has strengthened her belief in herself. “It is generally granted to entrepreneurs and investors. In 2019, UAE became the first country to introduce the Cultural Golden visa for people with specialised talents. It is an honour and would provide a boost to the entire creative community. If this can inspire other young artists, I will consider that my biggest achievement. I listened to my heart and took this plunge and being rewarded for it has strengthened my belief that if one follows a passion and give it his/her best, good things will slowly start happening,” she said.
The coveted visa is granted to people with expertise in the fields of arts, literature and culture, heritage history and cognitive studies.
Biswarupa said that the long term residency will give her more time to soak in Dubai’s multicultural environment. “This will definitely bring in a new dimension to my work. It will give me an opportunity for a more meaningful cultural exchange and the possibility of working on collaborative projects with other artists. I see this as an opportunity to represent my country and culture and mingle with other cultures to contribute to the ever-growing global cultural heritage,” she added.
Also Read: Artist Mona Biswarupa Mohanty Becomes First Odia To Get UAE’s Golden Visa
SHIFTING TO DUBAI
Notably, the artist has been staying in Dubai since 2007. “As a family, we took this call of moving to Dubai. I came in 2007 and my husband joined me in 2008. I worked in the academic field and in the design industry for about 8 years in the UAE. The inclusive and tolerant society of Dubai, the vibrant and blossoming cultural environment and the art scene here really inspired me and rekindled my love for fine arts and made me realise that art is my true calling. One fine day in 2016, I took a leap of faith and left my design job to start a completely new journey as an artist. My husband worked as my anchor while I ventured into completely unknown terrain. He has been my biggest support in this journey,” she said.
Biswarupa did a master research study programme in fashion and textile design from Istituto Europeo di design Milan, Italy, after completing her Bachelors Diploma in Fashion Designing from National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi.
HER CREATIVE JOURNEY
Her creative consciousness took shape in childhood as she soaked in the natural beauty and vibrant culture of my birthplace. “My father is a poet and lyricist.( two of his most popular songs – Ei Jhuma Jhuma Golapi Belare, Kahana E Phula Kahana) . His simple writing style inspired me a lot. I draw my inspiration from my roots and culture as well as the culture of all the places I have lived in. Nature, music, femininity and folk inspire me,” she said.
A freelance artist, she is currently registered with the Dubai Economic Department.
Biswarupa specialised in watercolours while pursuing a three-year diploma in fine arts from the School of Art and Craft, Baripada.
Her father’s ink and mother’s ‘alata’ have been her medium ever since she started sketching at the age of three and she continues to use them besides the regular acrylic for her paintings.
In her artistic journey, she has made a constant endeavour to depict the feminine energy of nature.
Watch her talk about her creative journey here:
