PARESH MAITY

OVER A CAREER SPANNING FOUR DECADES, HE'S MADE A NAME FOR HIMSELF AS ONE OF INDIA'S MOST PROLIFIC AND TALENTED ARTISTS. AS HE CELEBRATES 40 REMARKABLE YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY THROUGH A TRAVELLING EXHIBITION, HELLO! DELVES DEEP INTO HIS INSPIRATIONS AND THE DILIGENCE THAT BROUGHT HIM SUCCESS

- NOOR ANAND CHAWLA

As a bright-eyed seven-year-old, artist Paresh Maity was awestruck when he saw artisans bringing enormous goddess idols to life ahead of Durga Pujo, in his native town of Tamluk in West Bengal. Drawn to this beautiful act of creation, he intrinsically knew he wanted to be an artist.

"I had no exposure to art while growing up. My father was a humble government clerk and emphasised greatly on education. Even though I did well academically as a child, my single-minded focus was on art, and I'd quietly and secretly pursue this hobby on my own, by joining the artisans building the pandals," Maity recollects.

"I distinctly remember an incident that made me strive to improve my art. When I was around 13 and studying at Hamilton High School, a new municipality building had opened in the town. To mark the occasion, they organised an art competition for all the students. I didn't have any art supplies, but my friends shared theirs with me. I remember copying a visual from a Bengali story in a textbook, and that painting was adjudged one of the last! That became a turning point for me, and I dedicated all my time to art from then on. I didn't rank below first or second in a single local competition since then," he smiles.