Ranjit Kumar Bor with his sculpture made of beads. Picture by Anup Bhattacharya

Living amidst scarcity and poverty, Ranjit Kumar Bor found sustenance in sculpting. He passed his MVA in 2011, and since then has been trying hard to gain a foothold in the world of art and sculpture.

At present he is working on animal sculptures at a new children’s gallery at the Birla Institute of Technology and Museum (BITM). Ranjit’s love for birds reflects in most of his works. One of his pieces includes a nest full of pigeon chicks or small birds. “I like working on animal and bird sculptures. My final year project in my masters was on animals and birds used in art and sculpture,” said Ranjit.

Ranjit’s inspiration was his maternal uncle, Ashok Mondal who is an artist. As a child, Ranjit liked to make small clay sculptures. When he was in Class VII, Ranjit designed puja pandals in the neighbourhood. After his Higher Secondary exams, Ranjit’s uncle urged him to study at the Government Art College. He got through in the second attempt with sculpture as his specialisation.

Being the son of a rickshaw-puller, it was not easy for Ranjit to pay for his studies. “I gave tuitions and worked as assistant in pandals during Durga puja and other festivals so that I could earn some money to make sculptures. Making bronze sculptures is an expensive affair,” said Ranjit.

Things got tougher in 2010 after Ranjit’s father died. He appreciates the help that he got from his college and principal, Deepali Bhattacharya. “They helped me in every way possible,” he said.

Through his college, Ranjit has won several awards. He won the Biman Behari Das award and the Devi Prasad Roychowdhury Award in 2008-09 for outstanding merit. He won the Rekha Pal Memorial Scholarship in 2007-08 with which he prepared a large bronze piece named ‘Punishment’. The sculpture depicts mice caught in a trap. Ranjit participated in a number of exhibitions too. One was held in Delhi where he sent a bronze sculpture depicting a parrot standing on a handcuff. Ranjit is also working on large relief plaques. “Its an order for a private collection in south India. If my sample is approved, I will have to make over 300 of these,” he said. Another piece that adorns his bedside is the head of a bull carved out of black stone with brass horns, giving it a striking appearance. Ranjit is presently preparing to appear for a selection exam for a sculptor at a museum in Rajasthan.

More about ranjit

• DoB: August 31, 1983
• Born in: Howrah
• Education: MVA
• Family: Mother
• Loves: Birds
• Hates: Depression