Korba (Chhattisgarh): Praising Lord Ganesha with his artistic skills, a man from Chhattisgarh's Korba has crafted several miniature models of Lord Ganapati using pieces of chalks and pencil nibs.
Harisingh Kshatree, a guide at the Korba district museum in Chhattisgarh, has carved out beautiful sculptures of Lord Ganesha from graphite and chalk.
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Speaking to ETV Bharat about his creative works, Kshatree said, "I do not get any administrative support to carry out my passion. I don't have many tools and I have been using needles, nails, screwdrivers and blades for carving. Not using professional tools have their own challenges as the sculptures often break if the hit is too hard. Whenever I get a little leisure time, I keep myself busy making these delicate artworks."
The miniatures are of five to 10 mm, a difficult job to be done with regular instruments, but Kshatree has made it possible with his extraordinary skills.
A highly educated person with LLB degree, Kshatree tried to help other local artists to nourish their skills and continue with their artworks, but he says it is a difficult job to support all.
"There are many miniature artists in the district who need to be promoted by the government. Without getting any support, the artists are forced to leave their passion for art and go for other jobs," Kshatree said, adding they need a proper infrastructure as well as financial support from the authority.
"After understanding the concept well, I have tried out modern and traditional art in my carvings. I honed my skills just by practising more. I wish to go to a bigger platform where I can display my work and learn more about it," Kshatree added.
Besides chalks and pencil nibs, Kshatree has crafted models on coconut, stone, snail, oyster, bamboo, soap, wood, betel nut, tree root, white portion of tree bark etc.