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Rahul Kumar in Dhanbad on Tuesday. (Gautam Dey)
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Disability is no bar when it comes to pursuing one’s passion, or so will say 19-year-old Jharia resident Rahul Kumar, who despite the fact has the use of only one hand, has been creating idols of gods and goddesses which are much in demand.
At present, Rahul is busy giving finishing touches to 25 Saraswati idols that he has been making in his dingy Jharia-Sindri road home.
Son of a daily wage-earner, Rahul was born with a genetic defect that left him with a deformed right hand. However, from a very young age, he also showed a knack for painting and clay-modelling, hobbies that he pursued with a passion, and which won him numerous prizes and accolades.
Last year, Rahul appeared on television show Shabaas India, where he created a complete idol in only 30 minutes with his left hand.
“I wanted to paint and sculpt since childhood. As I am very religious, I would often stare at the idols kept in a small shrine in my house and dream of making similar figures one day,” said Rahul, who started painting and clay-modelling when he was eight.
“I used to collect clay from nearby and secretly shape idols on my terrace whenever my parents were away. However, sometimes I would get caught as my clothes used to get muddy,” said Rahul. Often ruined clothes would invite punishment from enraged parents.
Rahul was forced to give up his studies after Class VI as his father’s earnings did not allow him to afford school fees of all three children — two boys and a girl.
The financial condition of the family improved after Rahul started making idols full time, selling them for profit.
Between his brother Ravi (24), who is a carpenter, and Rahul, the boys contribute Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 every month to the family. “I earn nearly Rs 10,000 during Saraswati Puja, but at other times I have to depend on painting orders given by school students like project work related paintings,” he said.
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