Painting is Mahajan's passion

Jagran\City Plus

B D Narayankar

March 6, Baner (Pune): He had a passion for art right from his childhood and did not allow his parents to have their say in pursuing his dream. He was determined to pursue painting as a profession, come what may.

Meet Chandrakant Mahajan, who has set up his small workshop at Baner and hopes to create a band of artists to make them achieve what he had in the last two decades.
Born in Pune, he spent a greater part of his childhood in drawing and painting. His parents, initially, encouraged Mahajan to draw and paint. While in class 8th, Mahajan was punished by his principal asking him to sit in a corner with his notebook and pencil. He did not mind this and instead drew a sketch of the principal sitting on his chair. The teacher was so much impressed by his work that he published the portrait on the cover page of the school journal. "This was when I realized I had it in me to be a good painter and artist," Mahajan said.

His craft teacher further encouraged him and soon he was taking training classes for all-age group.

After securing first class in HSC (Science-Tech) in 1982, he opted for Diploma in Foundation of Art in Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya, Pune, much to the dismay of his parents. "My father was against my decision. He was worried about my future. But I did not try to convince him as I knew he will realize one day. Today he is happy about my success," Mahajan said.

After securing Diploma in AED from Bharati Kala Mahavi-dyalaya, Pune in 1985, Mahajan passed BFA Applied Art from Bharati Kala Mahavidyalaya, Pune with a first class.

Mahajan's favorite theme is portrait drawing. "I like portraits because we are human beings and we interact with other human beings," he said. However, he doesn't evince interest in drawing celebrities.

Mahajan has staged six group exhibitions and one solo exhibition in Pune and Satara from 1988 to 2005, besides participating in eight exhibitions including Kalidas Academy at Ujjain in 1994.

He also participated in four workshops. The Camlicol Baljatara organized by Camlin Limited in 1987, the workshop on puppets by Balchitrawani in 1994, National Art Festival, Kalavart Nyas, Ujjain in 2004 and 10th Kalavrat International Art Festival, Ujjain in 2005 are some of his achievements.

Mahajan's other popular activities had been his participation in the professional workshop on Mask-Mime-Dance-Drama organized by Awishkar, Mumbai and Priority Theatre, London in 1986. He also featured in two TV programmes for school children telecasted on national hookup. The programme was organized by Balchitrawani in 2000.
Mahajan also conducted workshop for 'Tribal Art Teachers Training', organized by Adiwasi Sanshodhan Prashikshan Sanstha, Pune in 1999. "From 2008 onwards, I have been conducting painting workshops and sketching workshops in Baner," he said.