The man behind the beautiful idols busy with his creations at his Jamshedpur studio. Picture by Bhola Prasad

You know a man is truly a genius when he is not afraid to share his talent or enthusiasm with others. Meet Samar Kanti Barua, a sculptor, who has his creations displayed in all parts of the city, and now wishes to set up a Birsa Munda Institute of Realising Sculpture and Arts for the art enthusiasts. Idols during various pujas, statutes of luminaries ? this incredible artist has done it all.

Barua is the perfect man for this age, where technology often drowns talent and commercialisation kills perseverance. Barua has no formal training in the art of sculpture but chose the path nonetheless as it appealed to him.

?It was a natural thing to do. I was about six. After school I used to go and watch local artisans make idols in a small room near a ground in Bistupur where TMH stands today,? says Samar. It was from these rural masters that he learned the nuances of idol-making, which gradually started taking a serious turn as he grew up.

Taking the first step was easy. ?My first idol was a Ganesha. It was well appreciated and that sparked further interest in me,? says the artist who still holds the enthusiasm that he had as a child watching the artisans at work.

Though his work was well appreciated but trouble brew at home. His father, though happy to see his son?s interest in art, was clear that it could not spell a career for him.

But that would hardly undermine the ?spirit? of an artist. ?He wanted me to take my studies seriously but ultimately gave in when he saw my dedication. But he demanded that whatever I did, I would dedicate hundred per cent to it,? he adds with a smile of remembrance. Thus, after completing school Barua started taking his passion seriously.

But it was some years before he would realise it as a career. Soon he was sucked in to the ?normalcy? of a professional life that span over 28 years. This was a time for change as he tried his hand, rather unsuccessfully, at painting.

Today, after years of hard work he has carved a niche for himself in the world of art. Barua, however, does not want to take credit for it. ?I would be nowhere if Tata Steel authorities did not help me. I was just another employee but the encouragement I received from them was overwhelming.?

Lady Luck smiled at him when he got the chance to participate in the International Trade Fair in Delhi in the year 1980. ?I was representing Tata Steel. I had created a model of a typical rural village in Jharkhand. Though we did not win any awards, merely participating opened doors for me,? he adds.

Thus began his journey into the world of art. After participating in the prestigious fair, Samar represented Tata for almost five years during the Republic Day parade in Patna.

His work not only got immense appreciation but also fetched him various awards. ?Every year my floats managed to win at least the first or second-place award,? says a satisfied Samar.

His sense of pride is evident the moment he gets up to show all the photos he took with dignitaries while receiving these awards.

Next to follow was the Tata Steel Safety Corner and of course the floats during Founders? Day celebrations.

And that?s not all. Today this devoted artist has to his credit nearly 70 per cent of all the statues placed at different places throughout the state. From Shahid Samark in Golmuri, to Nirmal Mahato?s statue near Tata Steel Guest House, to numerous statues of Birsa Munda in various parts of the state, Samar?s mastery has found a place in every nook and corner.

He uses fibre, cement, bronze and Plaster of Paris to create his masterpieces. His favourite is a paper-mache creation of a mountaineer climbing, which now stands tall at the office of Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF).

Even though he has left an indubitable mark in his chosen path but Samar feels that he has not got his deserved recognition. ?I am not being arrogant, but I feel that I could have earned greater recognition if provided with the right kind of exposure,? says the man.

He took early retirement to devote time to his passion entirely, but cut down on his work.

?These days people want good work but are not ready to part with money. Everybody wishes their work to be done at minimum cost and moreover there has been too much interference from commercialisation and technology. So, I only take up projects that I enjoy,? says Samar.

He has just finished making a statue of Birsa Munda which is soon to be placed in Chandil, and is currently working in making the idol of a city-based dignatory which is to be placed at Tulsi Bhavan in Bistupur.

For a man who started his journey drawing inspiration from idols, today, he takes on little work in this genre of art.

?This year I have accepted only one contract for a small puja in Sakchi. I will create only one idol but it has to be the best,? states Samar.

He has been awarded the prestigious Sanskar Bharti and has to his credit around 50-odd awards from the house of Tatas.

A complete artist, he does not want to let his talent get lost in the waste of commercialisation.

Nilanjana Ghosh Choudhury