He hones the great art of small things!

SENAPAT - You may need a magnifying glass to see some of his works. Atul Kashyap has perfected the art of miniatures, a fingernail-sized book on socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia and earthen lamps no bigger than wheat grains being among his creations.

It’s hard to believe that the 23-year-old has mastered the art without undergoing any training. Some people lovingly call him “chhote kalakar” in his native Senapat town in Farrukhabad district, 300 km from Lucknow.

“I believe it was my sheer passion for collecting miniatures that gave birth to an artist in me,” Kashyap, who is pursuing a diploma in computer applications, told IANS.

His creations include a set of miniature playing cards which are 9 mm each in length, intricate designs on rice grain and a wooden chair fixed on the head of a pin.

“You may need a magnifying glass to see some of my creations. Though I love all my creations, the book on Lohia is my most prized possession. It not only gave me the recognition in the true sense, it won me a reward of Rs.51,000,” said Kashyap, a graduate.

“It was nearly two months ago that I was publicly appreciated at the Samajwadi Party (SP) office in Lucknow when I presented the book to party leader Akhilesh Yadav. He was so impressed that he immediately announced a reward. It was just great when everyone in the hall clapped and appreciated my work,” he added.

The 100-page hand-written book highlights the important phases in Lohia’s life, including his contribution to the freedom struggle.

According to Kashyap, a miniature artist requires patience and an eye for detail. “It is important because you need to incorporate every detail of the original object in its miniature form. You need to be a good observer.”

Kashyap has been involved with the art of miniatures for the last six years.

Some admirers have even offered to buy his works, but he refuses to sell them. “I practise the art for my pleasure and satisfaction. I don’t want to make it a business.” However, Kashyap doesn’t mind gifting them to his neighbours and admirers.

“I wish I could display my works at an exhibition. Some senior government officials to whom I presented the miniatures have assured they will help organise one. I am eagerly waiting for that day,” he said.

Kashyap has also started training some local youths.

“He doesn’t charge us. He just makes us promise that we will not use the art for business purposes,” said Brij Pal Tyagi, who has been learning from Kashyap for five months.

Upendra Chaudhary, a student of Class 12 and Kashyap’s neighbour, said: “Recently I won the first prize in a competition at my school for the miniature items I made under bhaiya’s (Kashyap’s) guidance. I want to master the art just like him.”

(Asit Srivastava can be contacted at asit.s@ians.in)