I belong to a South Indian family, but was born and brought up in Solapur. Since my childhood I have enjoyed painting pictures of Gods and Goddesses. Every Friday we had to worship ‘Maa Saraswati’ in our school. For our prayers I had to draw images of different Gods on our school blackboard. When I was in the ninth standard my drawing teacher asked me to help paint a Ganpati pandal near my school. However my teacher didn’t inform anyone at home that I would be doing this and will be late. I painted the ‘Shishupal Vadha’ scene on a big canvas, the canvas was three times bigger than me. When I finally reached home at 2 am my entire family and all neighbors were looking for me they were all worried sick and scared. For that painting I received 25 rupees a flower mala and a coconut. That was my first earning.

From the first standard till college I received several awards for painting, singing, essay writing and debating. In class 9, I received the Shankar’s International award for painting. The Award function was held in Delhi and I was felicitated by our late Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi. It was a great achievement and a very memorable moment for me. After my 12th standard I started designing logos, letter heads, cinema slides and advertising designs. I got a lot of confidence and courage from my clients. I also used my drawing skills for textile design in the mills of my hometown. While doing all this I pursued and completed a one year foundation course in art.

After my course I came to Mumbai to join the J.J School of Art. It was my first time in Mumbai. A new world, new faces, no relatives, I was really scared and confused. I started thinking about all my clients back home and the fact that I was both financially and personally secure in Solapur. And began wondering if I had made the right choice coming to a new city where I’d have to start from scratch. But every time I went back home, my client’s would motivate me and ask me to design for them. Still in my first year I began freelancing for Everest an ad agency. After my third year I started contributing my illustration skills to publications, and then I worked for almost every leading publication, ad agency, Private Sector Company, software companies, TV media, Textile and Fashion house. Now Mumbai is my home, I’ve been here since 1985 and have got a lot of support and encouragement from the city of dreams. It shows whatever your passion follow it, for it will always come true.

Artist Highlights

• ArtWanted.com Gallery:    Art/Drawing Misc.
• Past Clients:    Reserve bank, IDBI