A pencil, paper and concentration are all that schoolteacher Sumit Chand needs to bring a portrait or an old photo to life.
The Tilak High School technical drawing teacher’s passion for art began when he was studying at Penang Sangam High School in Rakiraki.
“I was inspired by my technical drawing teacher Mr Sanjay Mani Naidu who used to do colourful technical drawings during our class,” he said.
“As the passion sank in me, I also did research on the internet and started off on this free hand drawing journey.
“It was not difficult to do a portrait since I had huge interest in this field. It only becomes difficult when the person you are drawing is wearing something white because I draw on white background, that’s where your colour-coding skills comes in.”
His hobby takes up most of his time. When not taking classes, Mr Chand draws, almost anything.
“I draw everyday whether it is a portrait, wood carving, mural painting, spray painting, sign writing and handicraft.”
“This allows me to continue with my passion.”
Mr Chand drew a portrait of the Minister for Education, Premila Kumar and presented it to her when she visited Tilak for the high school’s prefect induction. It took him about 15 hours to complete the portrait using a charcoal pencil and an ear bud to fade a dark tone to a lighter one.
“First I had to scale the image I was drawing, that’s the most difficult and important part. Next I inserted the facial features,” Mr Chand said. “Fading the pencil tone to get finer details is important.”
He said the minister told him the portrait was the best gift she had ever received and that it would go on the wall of her house.
“I would like to thank my school principal Mr Vinod Sharan for allowing me to prepare the token of appreciation for the minister and also staff of Tilak High School for always supporting my artwork.”
Mr Chand also drew a portrait of the Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and the Divisional Education officer Western, Sanaila Nauga.
“The evaluation of the portrait is very important as well, that is from original image to the final portrait.”
He said his wife usually evaluated his final product before changes were done.
“All I need is concentration, peace of mind, soothing music and there should be no one around me when I draw.
“Usually, I have a tanoa of grog beside me if I have to draw late at night.”
Mr Chand said there were many students with hidden talents sitting in classrooms but were often too shy to show their skills.
“I urge parents to fully support their children in any kind of extracurricular activities. We never know when their talent can earn them money.”
Mr Chand is originally from Caulasi in Rakiraki with maternal links to Ba.
