Kali Karim is a unique example of how one can combine seemingly incompatible talents. In his young years, he has already managed to receive a black belt in karate, master the national instrument dombra, achieve success in chess, and find his own language in painting. We talked with Karim about his path, discipline, and how he manages to find a balance between such a number of hobbies.
Kali, you say that you paint to express your emotions. How did you realize that brushes and paints are the best way to convey what is inside you?
I realized that paints and brushes are the best way to tell about my feelings because not everything can be expressed in words. Sometimes words cannot convey what you feel inside. When I take a brush, the color and lines themselves start showing the mood—joy, anxiety, inspiration, or sadness. Every painting turns out to be a piece of my soul, and it helps me talk to people without words.
You have many hobbies: painting, music, karate, and chess. Which one do you enjoy the most right now, and why?
Right now, I am most fascinated by karate. This sport provides not only strength but also self-confidence; it teaches patience and discipline. I enjoy feeling myself get stronger with every training session and realizing that I can protect myself and my friends if needed.
You play the dombra. What comes to you first: a new melody that inspires a painting, or a new painting that "sounds" in your head?
Most often, a melody on the dombra comes first. I start playing it, and an image of a painting appears in my head—colors, lines, and mood. Sometimes it’s the other way around: I see a drawing in my mind, and then I try to find music that suits it. Music and painting are connected for me: one inspires the other.
You have earned a black belt in karate. What is the most important lesson, besides strikes and defense, that this sport has given you?
The most important thing that karate taught me is respect and self-control. You realize that strength is not meant for attacking or getting angry, but for mastering yourself and knowing how to stop in time. This helps both in sports and in everyday life.
Art, music, and sports—everything requires time. How do you plan your day to manage to develop in all these areas?
I try to allocate my time correctly: school and homework in the morning, karate training or music during the day, and in the evening, I try to draw or play chess. Sometimes I have to sacrifice games or screen time to manage everything. The main thing is not to put things off and remember to rest, so I don’t burn out.
You play chess. Does your ability to think several moves ahead help you when you start a new, large drawing or painting?
Chess helps me a lot in my creative work. It teaches me to calculate steps in advance and to think about what will happen next. When I start a large painting, I also plan it step by step: where to place the main details, which colors will fit, and how to connect everything into a single story.
When things get tough or something doesn't work out, for example, in drawing, what helps you not to give up?
When something doesn’t work out, I try not to give up. If I get angry or tired, I take a break, distract myself with something else, and then come back with new energy. The support of my parents and the advice of my coaches help a lot. They remind me that everyone has failures, the main thing is to keep going.
Your loved ones are your support. What is the most valuable thing they have done to help you become so successful?
The most valuable thing my loved ones did was their support and belief in me. Even when something didn’t work out, they didn’t tell me, “Give up,” but instead, they encouraged and helped me. This support gives me confidence and motivates me to move forward.
What does "respect" mean to you in communicating with other people and in your life? How does it help you to be better?
For me, respect means the ability to listen to others and not to humiliate anyone, even if I disagree with them. In karate, we are taught to respect the opponent, the coach, ourselves, and other people. Without respect, it is impossible to build friendships, work in a team, or become a true athlete.
If you could give only one piece of advice to your peers who are afraid to start something new, what would you tell them?
