Tinsukia, May 21: Manjit Shah's big idea was to go small, really small.
The art teacher from a humble background has drawn a portrait of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and inscribed a 17-word message on a 7mm-long grain of rice.
The message reads: "Portrait of respect PM Narendra Modi for the crucial step for demonetization, by Manjit Kr Shah, Assam."
Shah's dream is to gift the painting to the Prime Minister.
"This art of mine is out of passion for our Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Shah, who hails from Makum in Tinsukia district, told The Telegraph. "His decision for demonetisation has touched me, but I don't have the reach to be able to gift him (my work)."
Shah has also created other small wonders. In three minutes and 33 seconds, he drew 26 portraits of Mahatma Gandhi on a 7mm-long grain of rice, earning him a place in the India Book of Records and recognition from Unique World Records in 2016.
The 28-year-old has also been recognised by the World Record Association, Assist World Records, Record Holders Republic and Miracles World Records.
"Since childhood I was interested in art and painting. When my friends used to play in the playground, I use to sit on some rock and use my big toe to draw something on the ground," Shah said. "I even used to get punishment for drawing during classes in school."
Asked what inspired him to paint, Manjit said: "When I was small I used to see children without limbs working. I realised that god gave me all my limbs and I decided to use each of them. I started using my left hand when my right hand got tired, then my legs, one by one, and suddenly discovered that I could use all together at the same time for painting," Shah said.
Shah's first major achievement came in 2013 when he set a world record for drawing the maximum number of pictures on an eggshell. He made portraits of 1,390 great personalities on an eggshell. This feat was recognised by the India Book of Records and Unique World Records.
"My father, a government schoolteacher, wanted me to study and secure a job because teachers were not paid timely then," Shah said. His parents have now had a change of heart about his profession. "With this success, my parents, who were afraid of my passion for painting, have now learnt to paint from me and teach my students in my art school during my absence," he said.
Shah runs an art school, Yashoda Devi Memorial Art School, at Makum. Today, he has almost 200 students. He teaches 35 students from poor families for free.
Shah completed his masters in fine arts from Karnataka State Open University earlier this year.
