Art doesn’t need fancy galleries to make its mark – sometimes the most beautiful melodies emerge from the narrow lanes of small villages and echo across the entire nation. This is exactly what happened with Noorjahan, a remarkable young artist from Vijay Nagla village in Badaun district, Uttar Pradesh. Her story is about passion, perseverance, and the magic that happens when talent meets determination. Currently studying in Class 11 at GGIC Girls Inter College in Badaun, Noorjahan has balanced her academics with her artistic pursuits in the most extraordinary way.
Coming from a family of six sisters and two brothers, Noorjahan’s background is humble yet inspiring. Her father works as a tailor, while her mother assists him with stitching work alongside managing household responsibilities. “Papa worked day and night with his sewing machine to educate all of us,” Noorjahan recalls with deep gratitude. “He always told us to dream big and achieve something meaningful in life. I could see his dreams reflecting in his eyes, and that became my biggest motivation.” This family support system became the foundation of her incredible journey from a village girl to a nationally recognized artist.
The Birth of an Artist: From YouTube to Recognition
Noorjahan’s artistic journey began in Class 8 when she sketched human faces. Like many young dreamers of today’s digital age, she turned to YouTube and searched for “Artist for job” – a simple search that would change her life forever. Here, she discovered Ajay Meena Sir’s channel, who organized art competitions and guided budding artists. This discovery began her transformation from a curious student to a dedicated artist.
“Ajay Sir is not just my teacher but my guiding light,” Noorjahan explains with genuine respect. “He showed me how art could become a source of income and not just a hobby.” Her first competition participation was a turning point – when she received her first payment for a sketch, she used that money to buy art materials and support her education. Ajay Sir’s suggestion to create painting videos for YouTube opened new doors for her. When he shared her artwork on his channel, Noorjahan began receiving the recognition she deserved, marking the beginning of her journey toward becoming a social media sensation.
Fighting Social Barriers with Family Support
Like many young girls in rural India, Noorjahan faced significant social criticism. “People used to say that girls shouldn’t go out, there’s no career in art, educating girls is a waste of money, why does she need a phone?” she recalls the harsh comments. These were the typical societal barriers that many talented girls face in conservative communities. However, what made Noorjahan’s story different was her family’s unwavering support, especially from her father, who refused to listen to society’s discouraging voices.
“My father never stopped me from pursuing my dreams despite all the negative comments from society,” Noorjahan says with pride. “Today, those people who criticized me are asking me to teach art to their daughters.” This transformation in social attitude reflects the changing dynamics in rural India, where talent and success gradually overcome gender-based prejudices. Her siblings, particularly her brothers and sisters, stood by her at every step, creating a supportive environment that allowed her creativity to flourish without fear of judgment.
The Viral Moment: 15 Paintings That Changed Everything
The year 2022 became a watershed moment in Noorjahan’s career when she decided to create 15 paintings of freedom fighters simultaneously. The inspiration came from watching Nurul Hasan Artist’s video, in which he created four paintings together. “When I saw his video, I thought, Why not create 15 paintings simultaneously?” This ambitious idea required careful planning and tremendous physical endurance.
With her father’s help, she arranged wooden frames, 15 black, blue, and red pens, papers, and tape. She began this challenging project by setting up her workspace in the house’s veranda under a tin roof. Working only during daylight hours due to a lack of proper lighting for video recording, she spent 5-6 hours standing continuously, which often caused swelling in her hands and feet. The project took two months, with numerous challenges including rain leaking through the tin roof and occasional illness. However, her dedication never wavered. When business tycoon Anand Mahindra shared her video on X (formerly Twitter), Noorjahan’s life transformed overnight, bringing her national recognition and viral fame.
Beyond Conventional Art: Painting with Feet and Mouth
What sets Noorjahan apart from other artists is her unique ability to create art using unconventional methods. She doesn’t limit herself to hands – she also creates masterpieces using her feet and mouth. Her painting of Salman Khan, created with her feet, and the simultaneous creation of two paintings using her mouth, demonstrated her exceptional skill and creativity. For the mouth painting technique, she ingeniously attached pens to both ends of a wooden stick and held the middle part with her mouth to create two paintings simultaneously.
This innovative approach to art creation showcases her technical skills and her determination to push creative boundaries. These unconventional methods have become her signature style, setting her apart in the crowded world of social media artists. Her willingness to experiment with different techniques reflects the mindset of a true artist who sees no limitations in expressing creativity. This unique approach has garnered millions of views on her videos and established her as an artist who dares to be different.
Live Performances and Sisterly Collaboration
Noorjahan’s success has led to invitations for live art events across the country, where she performs alongside her sister in a beautiful collaboration. While Noorjahan creates live paintings on stage, her sister sings, and the challenge is to complete the painting within the duration of the song. This sibling partnership adds an emotional and entertaining dimension to her performances.
One particularly memorable performance involved creating Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait while her sister sang “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon.” As she completed the painting, the audience was moved to tears, reflecting the deep patriotic emotions her art evokes. These live performances have showcased her artistic skills and demonstrated her ability to work under pressure and connect emotionally with audiences. The collaboration with her sister represents the family unity crucial to her success.
Noorjahan Artist :Recognition and Award- From Village to National Stage
Noorjahan’s talent has been recognized through numerous prestigious awards, including the Missile Man Award, Powerful Women Award, Influencer Book of World Record, Rashtriya Face Gaurav Award, Rashtra Gaurav Samman Award, and Amrit Vichar Award. YouTube has honored her with Silver and Golden play buttons, acknowledging her massive online following of 2 million subscribers.
“I never imagined that a village girl would get such a big platform and that WWE wrestler ‘The Great Khali’ would honor me in Bangalore,” she reflects with amazement. These accolades represent personal achievement and the changing landscape of Indian society, where talent from rural areas receives national recognition. Her journey from a small village to sharing the stage with international celebrities demonstrates the power of digital platforms in democratizing fame and success.
Teaching and Inspiring: Sharing Knowledge with 500 Students
Recognizing the demand for art education, Noorjahan began conducting online art classes about a year ago. The inspiration came from numerous comments on her social media posts from people wanting to learn painting. To date, she has trained approximately 500 students and shared her knowledge and techniques with aspiring artists across the country.
This teaching venture represents her commitment to giving back to the community and nurturing new talent. Her classes are accessible to anyone interested in learning art, and she can be contacted at 8923192107. Through teaching, she’s earning additional income and creating a legacy by passing on her skills to the next generation of artists. This educational aspect of her work demonstrates her understanding that true success lies in uplifting others and personal achievement.
Creative Experiments: Art from Everyday Objects
Noorjahan’s creativity extends beyond conventional materials. She has created portraits using matchsticks, tea leaves, pearls, and nails. Her portrait of Shah Rukh Khan, made with nails, was inspired during furniture work at her home, while Allu Arjun’s portrait, made with matchsticks, garnered millions of views and took nearly a month to complete.
These experimental works showcase her ability to see artistic potential in everyday objects. When actresses Manisha Rani and Isha Malviya appreciated her portraits of them on social media, it further validated her creative approach. Her religious paintings of Lord Mahadev and Ganesha demonstrate her versatility and her intent to promote unity through art. These unconventional methods have become a trademark of her artistic identity.
Future Dreams and Aspirations
Working late into the night, often until 3-4 AM, Noorjahan finds inspiration in the silence of darkness. “The night’s quietness gives me inspiration,” she explains her nocturnal creative process. Had she not become an artist, she might have prepared for UPSC examinations, but now her dreams are focused on supporting those who face barriers in achieving their goals.
Her story represents the changing face of rural India, where social media has become a powerful tool for talent recognition. From facing criticism to receiving support from the same people, Noorjahan’s journey reflects society’s evolving mindset. Her tale is not just about painting but about hard work, courage, and determination – teaching us that with strong intentions, even a small village girl can become the nation’s pride. Today, she inspires countless young dreamers who dare to pursue their passions despite societal obstacles.
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