Sunday, September 21, 2008

Achiever: Satish Gujral



I knew about Sri Satish Gujral, a recognised painter and architect, but I did not know he was hearing impaired. I came to know only recently and here is a blog dedicated to this inspirational achiever.

(Entrance at the Belgian Embassy building which was designed by Satish Gujral)

* He had an accident when he was 8 years old and consequently lost his hearing at the age of 11

* Until then he had only studied Urdu till Class 3

* His family identified his interest in art. Satish, then, received his further education in arts from Mayo Art College, Lahore and JJ School of Art, Mumbai.

* He was started being recognised for his paintings - his famous paintings were on Partition at that time.

* He went on to paint famous politicians at that time - including Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

* He went to Mexico to study Art and has travelled widely

* He also is an architect and has designed buildings - his most famous being the Belgium Embassy in India

* He has received several recognitions - national awards for painting and sculpture, Padma Vibhushan among others.

* It seems Satish is no longer hearing impaired - having been operated in 1998. But the important thing is he did not let the disability be an excuse to work towards what he wanted to do.


I referred to these pages:

http://www.disabilityindia.org/djstoriesssep06B.cfm

Official Website: http://www.satishgujral.com/

Where I first came to know first: http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/17747

An interview with Sri Gujral in which he talks about his paintings and life before and after: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031005/spectrum/main1.htm

Photo: Entrance at the Belgian Embassy by 'd ha rm e sh' on flickr, shared under Creative Commons Share, Attrib, Non Commercial http://www.flickr.com/photos/dharmesh84/228315263/)

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