The Quest of Usman Khan

While Usman Khan (name changed to protect his privacy) approached other artists for gaining inputs in art, they found him monetarily challenged, and naturally they were not excited in teaching him, until someone had politely instructed him to meet me. The defunct “The Chroma Academy” in Chennai was a place where art was taught pro bono.

We have taught him basic skills of drawing and painting. He continues to paint and draw animals and human forms etc. in his distinctive style. Sometimes he ventures to interpret his subjects in language of enigmatic modern art; however many would consider them overenthusiastic attempts. He works in all media but predominantly in acrylics.

This blog is written not to enumerate his achievements but to state plain facts. He met me first in the year 2007 or 2008. Then he had been driving an auto rickshaw in the city for his livelihood. Later government provided him a new auto rickshaw, the value of which payable by means of easy installments. Usman is the father of two teenage children, elder being a boy .His wife teaches in a private school. Usman withdrew from school but appears to have completed a certificate course in automobile mechanism. He is an ardent reader of Tamil books. He has been a green revolution activist planting avenue trees in Chennai. He ties up with his like-minded friends and conducts poor-feeding events from the funds raised among them. Many NGO’S seek his help in their propaganda for their awareness building campaigns.

Usman proved himself to be ­­­­­­ multi-talented by getting published few of his verses in Tamil journals and also donning a lead role in a Tamil short film.

For some reasons I don’t comprehend, of late, he has quit driving auto rickshaw. He is looking forward for greener pastures especially in the difficult area of fine arts, where even a veteran artists struggle for their existence.

Painting murals at private houses, hotels, restaurants, business establishments, schools and kids teaching centres are some of his pet projects. He has painted pictures on walls for clients, indoors and also on the outer periphery. He is fairly good in writing signages, making teaching aids for school children and he can design posters and show-cards manually. If you have a job, or small assignment to be done you may please discuss its feasibility with our friend Usman  Khan, He lives in Choolaimedu High Road.

Mobile no (whatsapp) of Usman Khan: contact the writer

He can speak Tamil and Urdu. His former clients have vouchsafed his honesty. He is good conversationalist. Press has also covered his activities of voluntarism and his pursuits in the field of arts.

Despite his inadequacies he is a futuristic person.

Thank you for reading the blog. Your comments are appreciated and your kind cooperation is sought in providing any new opportunities for Usman, so that he may reshape himself into a successful artist.

Srinivas Krothapally

13-April '2020

Rajamahendri