Rashmi Rekha Das
Although artist Sujata Behera had never received any formal training her deep
sensibility is reflected in a variety of pieces she has churned out over the years
For those who are dedicated to their dreams and have that incredibly inspiring passion to pursue excellence in their chosen fields, nothing is impossible. Sujata Behera, a 26-year-old artist from Dhenkanal is a great example for aspiring artists who do not usually get the scope to showcase their talents due to a plethora of reasons. In a candid tete-a-tete with Orissa POST the self-taught artist says she is wholly dedicated to her vocation.
Sujata never joined an art school or studied the basics of art from any teacher, a fact that makes her shy while talking about art. However, when you look at her striking and detailed works, you just can’t believe that she learned to do all this by herself without any professional training. She enjoys realistic painting in acrylic and watercolour.
Explaining her artistic inspiration, Sujata says: “I started painting at the age of four. I loved sketching and drawing. Besides, I used to admire photos and sketch on tiny pieces of paper. I tried my best to imitate the photo till I achieved likeness with the original. I won many competitions in school and college despite the fact that I did not formally take training in art. Though my parents never discouraged to give vent to my artistic imagination, they wanted me to accord priority to studies and become a banker. As a result, I was not able give enough time to art. When I was in Class VII, I completely stopped doing artworks because my Class X board exam was approaching. After Class X, I had the pressure of performing as per expectations in the Plus II board exam. So I could hardly spare quality time for painting. However, I can say I have never stopped following my passion,” says the young artist.
Sujata says she feels elated when she is painting. “You forget everything about the outside world and express your personality as a painter,” she says. She loves the bright hues of her acrylic works, the blending of colours in oil and the softness of watercolour. The artist has created realistic portraits and landscapes which are awe-inspiring.
Sujata, however, never sells her paintings, even the ones that are considered masterpieces in their own right. She says: “If you are passionate about being an artist, devote yourself wholeheartedly to art. I enjoy doing art. I am passionate about it. My knowledge of the nitty-gritty of the art market is virtually zero because I have never bothered about the market price of my works. I have never created a piece with the objective of selling it. I have more than 200 artworks in my studio but they are all safely stacked there and I will never sell them,” she says.
Responding to the query whether she is happy with her achievements as a painter, Sujata says: “I wanted to join an art college after completing Plus II. When I expressed my desire to my father, the latter sought suggestions from a few intellectuals whom he knew. They advised my father not to enroll me in an art school saying it would be sheer waste of money. I did not utter a single word of protest and decided to do whatever my father wanted. I knew that my father was always right. I feel I would have achieved more had I joined an art school then. However, I have been living life to the fullest as an artist after my marriage, thanks to the constant support of my hubby.”
Mother of a baby boy, Sujata is all set to hold her first art exhibition at IIT Kharagpur soon.
Artist at a glance
Hobbies: Drawing & cooking
Inspiration: Manoranjan Muduli (husband)
Idol: Rabi Narayan Rath