An artist’s guide to shooting: Moudgil juggles guns with paintbrushes

Using an art to supplement another art is a rare feat. But that is what Anjum Moudgil — the talented rifle shooter, has been doing for some time.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Using an art to supplement another art is a rare feat. But that is what Anjum Moudgil — the talented rifle shooter, has been doing for some time. A self-avowed recluse, who prefers contemplation to discotheques, the 23-year-old has hit a purple patch in the ongoing 61st National Shooting Championship where she has clinched five gold so far.

Anjum Moudgil with her painting
Anjum Moudgil with her painting

True to her words, she comes across as a media-shy markswoman and appears to avoid anything that could distract her attention but painting. For the Chandigarh lady, painting is a passion as well as a tool to perfect her first love — shooting.

Known in her circles as a good fabric painter, Anjum has been seriously pursuing that for almost a year and now has got a dedicated Instagram account that features her works. Those who watch those images and take a liking to it then place their orders directly with her. For dedicated professional shooters, digression sounds danger. But for Anjum, it’s a path to perfection.

For one who doesn’t find the idea of meditation that alluring, painting helps improve her focus and concentration.

“When I am painting, I get into it fully. That much focus, single-mindedness and concentration, I won’t get it elsewhere. Other than listening to the breath, I don’t do any other meditation exercises. Painting does the job for me,” revealed Anjum.

Though she had innate talent, it was her friends who run a cafe in Mohali, who prompted Anju to take up painting seriously. “They asked me whether I could paint a portion of the cafe wall and I obliged,” Anjum said.

The transition from a cafe painter to a pro happened quickly but not without its share of hiccups. Anjum, now an officer with the Punjab Police, shared an interesting yet bizarre anecdote that happened after she began juggling shooting and painting.

Shooting is an art that requires banishment of thoughts. But in Anjum’s case, there were times when she had ideas for her next drawing blooming in her head even as her index finger caressed the trigger. “But it inspired my job rather than fettering it,” she said with a giggle.

Anjum’s academic background also helped her stay in good stead. She had just completed her masters in Sports Psychology and the lessons that she learned in the classes came handy during training and competitions. No wonder she could easily cope up with the demands of the mixed event as she managed to match her male partner with panache.

“The mixed event was a fun for me and I was able to take equal shots like my competition partner. In individual events, we have differing number of shots and that’s why some female shooters find it tough to adjust when they are in the mixed event as both the partners have to take the same number of shots,” she said.

A trainee of Deepali Deshpande, Anjum had won a bronze in 50m Rifle Prone in the recent Commonwealth Championship and she has set her sights on making it to the squad for the Asian and Commonwealth Games.

shan@newindianexpress.com

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com