His art defies age, his creativity many bounds

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 16

Enter his workspace and one will find several sculptures, portraits, sketches, oil paintings and statues made of wires.

Because of his incredible work, 71-year-old Mohindra Thukral got a chance to meet former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, president APJ Abdul Kalam and several other ministers. Based in the city, Thukral has made it big with years of hard work and perseverance.

Thukral interestingly started making coloured sketches on rice grains in 1968. Not only this, he also wrote on horse’s hair too. Thukral has kept all these things safely in a beautiful box.

Not only his office, but in his home too, one can sense the presence of art in a conspicuous way. He has made some interesting things in his home too, which can rarely be found in other houses.

This fine artist has made maps of India and Punjab, along with the Indian flag, and portraits of freedom fighters and historical paintings. He loves to experiment at this age too.

Thukral says that the celebrated painter, Sobha Singh, had also come to his office to meet him and he (Thukral) had then made his sculpture.

Not only this, Thukral also uses wires and gives a certain shape to them. For example he said using the wires, he has shown the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre as he had made around 20 British soldiers who had opened fire on the innocent people on April 13.

Thukral found an inclination towards creating images through his drawing while he was in the school and once had made a funny image of his drawing master.

Although, he got a scolding for this, it was the time he realised that art was something that could keep him happy and satisfied.

After completing his high school, Thukral did diploma where he sketched his teacher who then took him to the principal to acknowledge his talent. He then also made a portrait of his principal and then won accolades. He started his work in 1968.

Also, BMC Chowk, which is beautifully decorated with attractive paintings, is the magical work of Thukral’s hands.

With the wording ‘Welcome to the Sports City Jalandhar’, there are symbolic patterns signifying games, including cricket and hockey.

On the other side, there are portraits of prominent singers, including Hans Raj Hans, Master Saleem, KL Saigal, Nooran Sisters, Gurdas Maan and Surinder Kaur.

While singers from other places have been added, the administration seems to have forgotten to get the portrait of ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh in it, who hailed from Jalandhar. The work has been done by Thukral under the Smart City Mission.

He, however, says that there is not much money in this field, but he does this as the work gives him satisfaction.

A fine artist

• Thukral started making coloured sketches on rice grains in 1968. Not only this, he also wrote on horse’s hair too. Thukral has kept all these things safely in a beautiful box.
• Not only his office, but in his home too, one can sense the presence of art in a conspicuous way. He has made some interesting things in his home too, which can rarely be found in other houses.
• This fine artist has made maps of India and Punjab, along with the Indian flag, and portraits of freedom fighters and historical paintings.
• BMC Chowk, which is beautifully decorated with attractive paintings, is the magical work of Thukral’s hands