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Journalism of Courage
A Paikpara 11-year-old is quietly making waves as a painter. Premankur Biswas takes a close look at Sunandan Pauls art
The middle-class neighbourhood of Paikpara is his playfield. He has spent most of his life there,but now 11-year-old Sunandan Paul is poised for a flight. His dexterity with the paintbrush has brought Kolkata recognitions galore. Recently,the student of Cossipore English School won the POGO Amazing Kids Awards 2009 title in the POGO Amazing Kid Artist category. The young artiste also has to his credit achievements such as the National Bal Shree Award in creative arts for 2008.
“I always liked playing with crayons and watercolors. I never really took any special classes on art … I draw whatever I feel like,” says Paul who recently went to Mumbai to record a special episode for the award winning art show,MAD for the POGO channel.
It’s his ability to clearly express himself without any affection that makes his art special,experts feel.
“What really stood out for me about Sunandan Paul’s art is his attention to detail,which means he is very observant. He can capture a moment and reproduce it beautifully. That is a very important quality in an artist. Sunandan also has an incredible sense of colour and composition. His love and passion for art is clearly visible in his work. He will definitely go a long way.”
This award may have brought him to the spotlight but it’s clear that Paul has his feet firmly grounded.
“I’m glad that my art appeals to so many people and I have made my parents proud with it,but I also realise that academics is important too,” he says. Does it mean that he doesn’t want to pursue art when he grows up? “I most definitely want to be a painter when I grow up but I also want to learn about different things. If I am not aware of the world around me,I can’t be a good artist,” he says.
After the special episode of the show is aired on the national channel (on December 26 at 5 pm),does he expect to be mobbed?
“Ours is a very close-knit neighbourhood and everyone in my para knows that I have won the award. They are all eagerly waiting for it. But I know that beyond my para very few people will recognise me and that’s perfectly fine. This is not the first award I have won,I am glad that I have brought recognition to my family and my city,” he says.
He surely has a good head on his young shoulders.
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