Aurangabad artiste promotes brotherhood by art in Punjab

Amritsar, July 28 (ANI): Indian Miniature artistes have been known for creating marvels of art on themes largely related to historical or mythological characters since ages.

Aurangabad's Gajendra Suryakant Wadhonkar uses this captivating art form to promote brotherhood and respect for different religions. He makes miniature paintings on the themes related to Sikh history and other religious figures on grains of rice!

Born at Hazur Sahib in Nanded (Maharashtra) in 1978, Gajendra felt inspired from the tercentenary celebrations of Gurta Gaddi, commemorated at Nanded on the occasion of 300th year of the consecration of Guru Granth Sahib recently.

He started writing with bristled-paint brush on grains of rice. He felt drawn to this style after writing names of his mother, father and goddess on rice. The act was appreciated by everyone in his family.

"It was after practicing for a long time that I started making portraits and symbols of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christians on grains of rice. That time I did not realize that I had developed an artiste within myself," Gajendra added.

Speaking about scribbling the history of the 10 Sikh masters on rice grains, Gajendra said during the tercentenary celebration of Gurta Gaddi many devotes visited Nanded and offered valuable donations to the Gurdwara. It was then that he decided to offer something distinct to the Gurdwara and started scribbling history of the 10 Sikh masters on the grains of rice. He completed the task within three months.

Gajendra has already been honoured for his work by local authorities here. He can make any painting or portrait of any individual within two to three minutes.

His collection includes a number of portraits of prominent persons of the past and present. The list includes Lokmanya Tilak, Subhash Chandra Bose, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and many other political figures besides religious leaders.

Professor Nirmal Singh of Chheharta, having got overwhelmed by his work of art, invited him to Amritsar to display his art. He encouraged Gajendra to exhibit his work in Punjab and before the world.

Though there are many artistes working on miniature art Gajendra, who is a non-Sikh, has done a marvellous job by depicting Sikh history and culture on the grains of rice, says Prof.Singh.

Gajendra claims to have written 240 alphabets on a grain of rice besides 26 to 40 on a ' til' (sesame) and 20 on a grain of 'rai" (mustard seeds). He said that he wishes to get his name registered in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Gajendra uses no extra help to support his eyes to do micro-miniature. But he credits his family and wife for all his success. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)