I found myself close to excellence in Art at the Rang De Neela workshop

When we asked Dr. Usha Ayyagari to narrate her experience at the Rang De Neela workshop, this is what she siad that she was honoured to meet Padmashri Manusamy and touch the award. Here's his story...

"Since childhood, Mr. Manusamy has been captivated by the art surrounding him. Consequently, he abandoned school after the 8th grade and embarked on his journey to become an artist. His parents instructed him in various terracotta art techniques and skills, which he had been learning since early childhood. At the young age of 23, he established himself as an independent artist.

According to Mr. Manusamy, his subsequent experiences have been an incredible rollercoaster ride of innovation, learning, and growth. He has utilized his understanding of this art form to create a diverse range of products, such as terracotta fridges, water filters, and images of gods and goddesses. Additionally, he has made significant contributions to the world of art as an innovator of magnificient terracotta sculptures.

As a part of the #RangDeNeela initiative, I had the pleasure of meeting this revolutionary artist, Mr. Manusamy. His success story is not limited to his own achievements, as he also believes in inspiring and providing earning opportunities to other artists by teaching his craft. As a #healthartist, I was pleasantly surprised to encounter a #heartist who had received the #PadmaShriAward, the fourth-highest civilian honour. When Mr. Manusamy graciously allowed me to hold his trophies and certificates, I could see the gleam of pride in his eyes. He received recognition from the highest authority for his exceptional work, and the best way I could express my gratitude was to declare, "This is as close to excellence as I can get".

I hope that Mr. Manusamy's incredible achievements serve as a source of inspiration for future artists."