Dishaddra, belonging to a Bengali household, was enrolled into various co-curricular activities like art, music, Rabindra Sangeet, sports like lawn tennis and swimming at a tender age. Though he has won many accolades in the above art forms, painting was something which came as a passion more than a skill. His first inspiration for his art was the majestic beauty of Durga Maa’s idols created for the Durga Pooja. His parents spotted this special talent in him and gave him professional training for it. Parallel to all the creative fields, Academics was not just a priority but Physics was also a subject he adored. He took architecture as his career path because according to him this is the only subject that would allow him to pursue both art and science together and bring about a change in the society.
In conversation with Dishaddra:
1) Share with us your experience at the P.O.G.O Amazing Kids
Being the P.O.G.O Amazing Kid for the year 2010, was the most glamorous affair of my childhood, being flown out to Mumbai film city for promo shoots for qualifying into top 3 and finally winning the prestigious title was an exhilarating experience. The selection process included multiple layers of interviews, on the spot showcase of talents and of course all backed up with numerous achievements in the field of art. It involved auditions which were nerve wrecking but all of it was achievable with my parents by my side.
2) Tell us about your participation in the Horlicks Wizkids South Asia finals.
Horlicks Wizkids is a competition that all the schools from Delhi participate in and the crown of being a wizkid of the year to represent the state at South Asian level is the highest award. It involves 3 stages which eliminates the participants at various stages. It includes quiz, IQ test, interview to showcase your talent and finally an on stage questionnaire. I painted a portrait of Rabindranath Tagore on stage in one minute for the talent round and also sang Rabindra Sangeet to pay homage to my idol.
3) Tell us about your creative art, which earned accolades from the Canadian High Commission.
The selection procedure for this award was probably one of the most transparent and exciting as winners were selected by common people on the basis of voting under taken on their Facebook page. I won the award thrice with over 1000 votes each time. My school teachers and friends helped me a lot in reaching out to many people to vote for me. Winning art was published on their annual calendar, so it was an honour to be published on such valuable souvenirs.
4) Your painting has been featured by WHO India’s national polio surveillance project 2007. Let us know more about this special art
Entries for this was asked from children all over the world for a poster design for their campaign of polio free world. My creation was chosen as the entry that was published on merchandise and invitations related to the campaign and was distributed to various nations and their leaders. I felt honoured to have the privilege of sending out such an important message to the world through my art.
5) Let us know about the Balshree award that you received.
Balshree is an award conferred for various talents in art, performing arts, music and science. Balshree is the highest honour awarded to the children by the Government of India which was a childhood dream and the process of achieving it was both physically and mentally demanding for both me and my parents without whom I couldn’t have succeeded. The award is based on 3 levels of testing (local, zonal, national). The tests were one of a kind including fine arts, sculpting, innovative use of waste products. Balshree award was conferred upon me by HRD Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani at the Vigyan Bhavan.