Visitors watch armyman-turned-artist Satyakam Das’s works at Jaydev Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, April 24: Fighting adversities is a known trait of an army man and Satyakam Das exemplifies it.

Once serving the Indian Army as a captain, he, at present, has become wheelchair bound. But today, paintbrush becomes his arsenal.

In an art exhibition, organised by The Theosophical Order of Service and city based RAKA Foundation for the Arts, Das showcased 30-odd portraits he has drawn in the past couple of years. The daylong exhibition was held today at Jayadev Bhavan.

From meticulously drawn portraits of world leaders to great stage performers, Das takes pride in replicating the faces of the personalities, who inspired him in some way or the other, on drawing sheets.

The images of political figures such as Nelson Mandela, Ballabhbhai Patel, Indira Gandhi and Anna Hazare adorned the walls of the gallery. Even spiritual leaders such as Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Vivekananda could be seen captured on the canvas.

There were many eminent personalities of the country and the world whose portraits had found space in the exhibition. The divine Trinity — Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra — also captured the imagination of the 36-year-old alumnus of Armed Forces Medical College.

Das met with an accident in 2004 when a head-on collision of his car with a truck left him handicapped. While his wife and six-month-old son got away with minor injuries, Das had to stay in hospital for two years. Today, he cannot walk and finds it hard to remember things.

“I have amnesia and that is why I cannot speak fluently as I forget what I was talking about. One has to be patient with me,” said Das with a smile. He also thanked the organisers for giving him such a platform to exhibit his paintings.

“Without taking his disability in account and judging solely his art, it is undeniable that Das has come out as a victor in his artistic pursuits. His works are on a par with any professional artist,” said Dinanath Pathy, an eminent artist of the state and chairman of the RAKA Foundation.

This was the foundation’s first event, and it promises to organise art events, giving opportunity to the less privileged.

Other visitors, too, praised the artworks of Das. “Each line of the every portrait is distinctly visible. It was a visual treat. Moreover, the positive attitude that Das has in life is reflected in his paintings,” said Sangita Pradhan, a visitor.