An introduction with the senior sculptor ‘Padmanabachari’

Guruji introducing Padmanabachari to us at Bellur

“It has become my Life’s mission, to create Lord Patanjali’s idols out of the toughest stones” claims the senior sculptor Padmanabachari,

Ms Gayathri V, from Bangalore, was successful in opening up a live dialogue with him at Bellur.

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APRRECIATION FROM GURUJI

Have you ever seen the statue of Sage Patanjali, for that matter, any where in the world?

If you haven’t, I would say, you should see it. Check out any nearest Iyengar Yoga Institute that may have one. Visit and ensure you see it carefully.

There is a lot you would have missed out, if incase you have not observed the Sage Patanjali’s statue till now. So, observe it closely.

We all pray Sage Patanjali either at the beginning or at the end of the Yoga class...but most of us haven’t got an opportunity to really have Sage Patanjali’s idol in front of us, every time we pray….isn’t it?

Even before we wish to have one such idol with us, lets all meet the most senior sculptor who has created almost all the Sage Patanjali idols throughout the world, throughout his life.

“Guruji, first came in search of me several years back, as I happen to stay in a nearby village Shivarapatn in Kolar district. He wanted a stone idol of Sage Patanjali made. I was not that comfortable then, as I couldn’t visualize how exactly the Sage looked? For that matter, I even didn’t know Guruji then. But out of spontaneity I had agreed to him to make one….and that was the start of my association with Sage Patanjali and of course with Guruji” says the sculptor as he closed his eyes and started remembering.

Yes, I could feel that he was emotional, all that made him look back at his life, today. That made me understand how he was able to contribute with his divine gift of art to the world of Iyengar Yoga.

Guruji holding the miniature Patanjali silver idol by Padmanabachari

SERVICE THROUGH SCULPTURE: HIS MISSION OF LIFE

In a response to my earlier question, he expressed… “Sculpture is our family tradition, and it has been our main focus from my ancestors to this generation.

I have just studied, 6th standard, due to my poor family background. We were very rich in tradition of sculpture but had no enough support… Every stroke of our hammer is an act of responsibility…otherwise as you know, the whole effort would go vain.

We are specifically taught how to identify and then be friendlier with the material we choose to work, especially with the material like stone, where a single mistake would cause a complete rework. It could be ranging from stone, metal, wood or any other. Let’s say, I choose STONE as a medium… there is a unique way to test the right stone especially for the idols, even before we hammer our first chisel on it. This kind of knowledge to correctly choose the medium and material is very vital and comes only from experience.”

By this time, I could see a spark in his tiny eyes as they were shredding the happy tears, of his memories.

Padmanabachari, claims that he has sculpted more than 500 idols of sage Patanjali, which are installed all over the world. He never mentioned whether he carves any of his symbol on the idol, as a mark of identification. Other than him, so far, there is no one who has done this special divine service towards the world of Iyengar yoga.

Yes, I would say, the very next time you would see a Patanjali idol, don’t forget that it was done by Padmanabachari.

Today, at his age of 73 years, this strong man, doesn’t fail to first offer his prayers to the stone he would carve next. According to him, certain disciplines in life are must to excel as a human being, whether you stay in city or a village. All this makes him work not less than 10 hours per day.

As I turned towards practical side of his life, I was surprise to understand how clear he was about it. As a point of curiosity, I casually asked him,’ Do you remember, how much time did it took you to carve the first Patanjali Idol, and do you know where it is at present?” Even before I could complete my questions, he was nodding his hear, with his white hair.

My every expressive question, makes him think twice.

He started, “Exactly in the year of 1985, (almost 20 years back), with the patient stroke of every chisel, continuously for the duration of 60 days, I had completed the first Sage Patanjali idol, which is installed at present in the RIMYI, Pune.”

HIS MESSAGE

“For the true artist, there is no limitation of any thing, as the world is full of natural gifts. Every sculpture should study and practice the Sanskrit language (Indian language), to understand the relative literature written about the specific God, they would choose to sculpt.”

With Padmanabachari, I am astonished to experience the gestalt of knowledge, art and service that he offers from a small village carving various Indian GODs in different base material, based on the requirement.

At the end, I would like to bring your attention to the very fact that we all should thank Guruiji to bring out several unique qualities in Padmanabachari.

Lets all wish Padmanabachari a long and healthy life for him to serve through his sculpture.

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An interview with SURESH SHAMKANT GOKHALE Pune

Qualification- Diploma in Commercial art - 1968
Siblings – a brother and a sister he is the eldest, brother is a Carpenter and sister is the principal of deaf and dumb school in Dadar.

In the year 1944 October 9th a baby was born to Mr Shamrao and Mrs Usha who is named Suresh Shamkant Gokhale, he was brought up as a normal kid but, when his mother took him to a private school for the admission they found out that he had some disability so he was rejected admission in the school.
He got admitted to the corporation school. He used the Chalk to express his affection for drawing.


Finally his parents were able to locate a remote deaf and dumb school in Pune. There were very few students and Suresh joined them. He was not quite good at academics as his interest was in drawing. He wanted to bring out his creative and unique talent and nourish it.

His parents took his feeling and spoke to a teacher MALTI JOSHI of S.P College. The teacher looking at the interest of Suresh, took a challenge and admitted him as the first student and that is the beginning of his real schooling. The school was just out of the S.P College and Suresh started living his real colors of life. He got friends of same attitude in his school and his talent started to flourish. The principal of S.P College saw Suresh and his friends interest in the field of Drawing, and he built a hall within the college and gave it to them. This lead Suresh to make lot of collages, drawing and clay Ganesha’s at school that made him stand apart as an artist among all other students.


He still remembers how his teacher encouraged him to know the skills such as Carpeting, sculpting, and even stitching, but his interest was in drawing. So he told his teacher,” I will not do things which I don’t like to do”.


Suresh’s father who passed away in 1999 had worked for Kirloskar Oil Engines and Pumps. He was very much occupied with his son’s interest in painting, one fine day, Suresh got his fathers attention His father took him to a new painting school Upon requesting they admitted Suresh because he proved to be excellent artist. That is where he got an opportunity to appear for his first drawing exam ‘Elementary’ and he cleared the exam, Immediately he decided to appear for ‘Intermediate’ which is the next grade drawing exam. At the same time Suresh met with an accident, ant his right hand got fractured. The exam date was appearing nearer, so he started practicing with his left hand. To everybodies surprise, he appeared for the Exam by drawing in his left hand and cleared the exam. His life’s journey had started.
In the future, he participated in International Landscape Competition. He stood 4th in the same and received a certificate From London.

Life had a different turn and a lesson for Suresh. After his schooling as he appeared an art exam to the big surprise he failed twice in the exams, in painting.


Further to that see how God helps, one of his close family friend asked him to contact Abhinav Kala Mahavidhyalaya the only art school in Pune.
Upon enquiry he was advised by the teacher not to take up the painting but the commercial side because, that was going to help him in future.


Parents supported him financially and encouraged him to move on when he failed in the last year of his Applied Commercial Art.


The first job in his life was at TOM e BAY (Advertising) Pvt. Ltd. For the first 4 years he worked for a salary of Rs 300/-. He worked there for 10 years from1968 to 1977.


In 1972 he got married to Jyoti who is also deaf and dumb and had finished her Diploma in Cloths and Stitching. They had their first normal child named Tanuja who is now a BMHS in Ayurvedic.

Later Suresh joined WESTERN ADVERTISING MARKTING SERVICES. His art works were visualized here. This boosted a self-confidence in him.

He was awarded by Maharashtra as a best deaf and dumb performer for the service. He always worked with clear understanding of his capabilites and the interest of his company. He also believed in the principles of contribution and appropriate remuneration. He had to leave WESTERN ADVERTISING MARKTING SERVICES just because of this difference in the principles.


Suresh later joined PADMAJA ADVERTSERS Pvt. Ltd. At the same time of his life he had his second normal child named Prasad who is now a architect and designer.


He foresaw the future of computer graphics. So he left PADMAJA ADVERTSERS Pvt. Ltd. and joined IOLINE data system as an illustrator. He did a lot of visual work for IOLINE data system. Even if the titles didn’t release his work was appritiated. Being deaf and dumb helped him to concentrate and contribute a lot to the creative work he was doing. The IOLINE was soon merged with KIRLOSKAR COMPUTERS SERVICES LTD. (KCSL). During his association with KCSL he has drawn many cartoons, Calikacher, 2D Animation etc. His knowledge continued to grow, and he believed in giving the best.


Finally in 1999, he was the first person to get retired from KCSL. After 5 years of his retirement from KCSL he returned to Pune and started preparing clay status of Lord Ganesha. These beautiful idols were admired by all.

Suresh is a self made man. He never got any formal training for learning Photography, Screen Printing and Computer Graphics. He learnt all these skills on his own by experimenting. He believed God is the source of inspiration.
Suresh took a different path from the rest of the world.


Today at the age of 60 years Suresh runs his own Studio cum Office at Pune.
He does several things that would cater the Industry today.


In 2001 he was awarded with the National Award by the Government of India. At New Delhi, the President of India Shri Shankar Dayal Sharma presented him the award for his great services and excellent work in all field of Art.

He starts his day by practice of Yoga, which keeps him active throughput the day. He goes to his office by bicycle. He spends his time in sketching, he reads a lot and sometimes does landscapes also.


In the year 1997 he was instrumental in the formation of Maharastra Association of Deaf, which is an association for sports activities. In 1980, the same club was renamed as Mahashtra Sports Council of the Deaf. In activities like drama, dance, mime this group has won a remarkable appreciation from all over India. It has recently won the first prize at Bangalore.


HE decided to live his life on his own terms with his self-confidence. He is also occupied in helping others as well as painting and spending time with his creative being with in. He loves watching cartoon network, hours after hours.


The eager to go ahead can over come all the hurdles ahead of us in our life. This is the lesson we can learn from a man like Suresh.



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