Tinsukia, July 31: A 26-year-old youth from Assam, who holds the world record for drawing the most pictures on an eggshell, has now set his sights on another record.

Manjit Kumar Shah, who hails from Makum in Upper Assam's Tinsukia district, will stake claim to a new record for drawing 12 miniature images of Mahatma Gandhi on a single grain of rice.

"I successfully drew 12 miniature portraits of our Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, on a rice grain. Next month, I will apply to different organisations which lists world records for inclusion of my latest feat," he told The Telegraph, proudly exhibiting the half-centimetre-long grain of rice on which he painstakingly drew so many pictures with a very fine brush.

Shah created his first world record in 2012 by drawing faces of 443 famous global personalities on a single eggshell with a gel pen. His incredible achievement was recognised by World Record Association, India Book of Records, Miraculous World Records, Assist World Records and Record Holders Republic.

"In 2013, I broke my own record by drawing 1,615 miniature portraits of famous persons on an eggshell in five hours and 45 minutes," he said.

Shah, who has a diploma in computer science and works as a computer instructor of the adult literacy programme of the State Institute of Rural Development, is a self-taught micro artist.

"I have always been interested in drawing. As a kid, I learnt drawing from two teachers but as far as micro art is concerned, I learnt on my own," he said.

He can draw simultaneously with both hands and even with his feet.

On his future plans, he said that he now wants to do the longest marathon painting.

"I can draw and paint non-stop for 48 hours and someday I will attempt to create a new world record for the longest marathon painting," he said.

Shah also runs Yashoda Devi Memorial Art School at his home on Digboi Road at Makum, around 8km from Tinsukia town.

He also conducts free art workshops for children from poor families.

"When I was in school, I had faced difficulties is pursuing art due to financial crisis since my father, who is a school teacher, had not received his salary for many months. Therefore, I want to help children from underprivileged sections realise their dreams," Shah said.

His father, Manoj Kumar Shah, is a Hindi teacher at G.B. Chowkhani Higher Secondary School at Makum while his mother Gayatri Devi is a homemaker. He has two sisters.

"Since childhood he had an inclination towards drawing and painting. Today I feel happy that he not only pursued his passion but also been able to make a name for himself," his mother said.