The straw artist

Delhi University student Nasruddin makes art out of straws of wheat

M D Nasruddin could think about nothing else but making a better one when he saw a neglected wheat-straw art work,gifted to his uncle by a friend five years ago. Once he learnt this art,he moved from Bihar to promote it in Delhi.

An Arabic Honours student in Delhi University,Nasruddin is hopeful about the universitys new initiative that allows students to teach art in schools.

Wheat-straw art involves cutting and moulding straws in different shapes and pasting them on a black chart which can be framed. No chemical colours or paints are used. He calls it jumhoori (democratic) art because unlike other art forms,its quite affordable.

I was born in a very orthodox Muslim family in a small town. My father,a building constructor,was the only earning member in a family of eight. When I saw a neglected wheat-straw art,I realised this is what I had been waiting for. I learned the craft and slowly got better at it over time, says Nasruddin. He is also an Arabic and Urdu calligrapher.

Nasruddin has created about 40 art works so far,including ones depicting the Red Fort,Parliament and India Gate.

I gifted my work to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and the DU Vice-Chancellor. I want to present my work depicting India Gate to Sonia Gandhi and the one of Parliament to Manmohan Singh, he says.

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