Anil Kumar Sinha,vice-president, Bihar state disaster management department speaks at the art exhibition in Patna on Friday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Nov. 26: Young artists from Chhapra are taking the capital by storm these days.

Nine students of Sufi Art Creation — a fine arts institute in Chhapra — are showcasing their work in a two-day exhibition at the College of Arts and Crafts.

Ashok Kumar (22), one of the young artists, portrayed Gandhi in his painting. On his canvas, Gandhi’s sketch fades into carbon images, depicting how Gandhi’s ideas are disappearing from our daily life.

Kumar, who is exhibiting his work for the first time, said: “I try to express my feelings through the painting.” He said it felt great to be at the college. Mehndi Shaw, organiser-cum-mentor of Sufi Art Creation, said: “Artists of small towns are hugely talented and dream of being recognised. But they hardly get any endorsements.”

Shaw, a self-taught artist, added: “Exhibitions like this allow artists of small towns to display their work. They also get reactions of experts, which is essential for their growth as artists.”

Shaw is an interior designer and hopes to make his style of art popular in the cities. But he rued the fact that there were not enough promoters or adequate facility. “There are no proper halls to showcase our works,” he said.

“It was a challenge for me to set up my institution, the foundation stone for which was laid in 2008. I have to divide my time between Patna and Chhapra,” he said.

But he was hopeful that his art and institution would slowly but surely become popular. He began his art school with only eight students. Today, in the third year, there are 28 pupils in his school.

Monu Kumar (17) is another of Shaw’s students who is showcasing his work in Patna.

Monu said: “I have waited eagerly for two months for this festival. Now that I am here, I can’t find words to express my feelings.”

His painting depicts men struggling with time through a clock tied with ropes.

Another painting that drew attention was Ravi Ranjan’s depiction of Osho Rajneesh in a tantra mudra.

Ranjan said: “I learnt painting by making copies of pictures I found in books. I was interested in art even as a child and joined the institute later. I used to cut out colourful pictures from books and store them. I still have those pictures with me.”

His painting also depicted a man trapped in a network at the edges of which stood the weavers of the network.

Shyam Sharma, former principal of College of Arts and Crafts, and Anil Kumar Sinha, vice-president of Bihar state disaster management department, were some of the dignitaries who visited the exhibition today.

Sinha announced a competition for the students of College of Arts and Crafts where the participants will design a logo for their college and the winner would be awarded Rs 10,000.