Talent the zest for life for this specially abled artist

Alongside artists selling paintings for thousands and lakhs sat Sivajyoti Dasgupta whose water colours were selling for Rs 50 and Rs 100. The 34-year-old with cerebral palsy thanked each buyer with a huge smile.

His twin sister Saswati Dasgupta brought him to Chitra Santhe from Kolkata just so that he receives encouragement and a boost of confidence.

“He is so passionate that even if he is sick with fever, he makes at least one painting. In the past 15 years, he has made over 5,000 paintings, big and small,” Saswati said.

This is the second time that Sivajyoti has set up a stall in Chitra Santhe. “I got to kn
ow about it last year through artists in Kolkata and I took it forward as it seemed like a good opportunity,” Saswati said. Sivajyoti was born a normal child but an attack of jaundice which was not treated properly resulted in cerebral palsy.

“After class VIII, it became difficult for him to continue his education. From then, he shifted his focus to painting,” his sister said.  Cerebral palsy affects motor skills so it was difficult for him to hold a pencil or paintbrush. He mainly paints with his fingers and uses watercolours and acrylic media. Sunsets, landscapes and flowers are the subjects of his paintings.

“He was very upset when I got married and had to leave home,” said Saswati, who works in a bank in Ballari. “I don’t know if he will be able to get married. But I do not want him to feel excluded or different. I want him to be a part of the society, so I try my best to help him participate in such events,” she said.