Back in the 1980s, when he embarked on his journey to pursue sculpture at M.S. University in Baroda, he became the first in his family to venture so far for a master’s degree. Clad in a traditional dhoti kurta, he arrived in Baroda on a night filled with trepidation as the world awaited the fall of Skylab on July 11, 1979, casting a shadow of fear over everyone. Stepping off the train, he encountered a man warming his hands by a bright fire, tears streaming down his face as he muttered, “Yahan par hi girnewale hai bolre hai log” (They say it’s going to fall here). Despite the ominous atmosphere, he smiled and moved forward, embracing the unknown and ready to start an exciting new chapter of exploration and discovery.

The most fascinating phase of his life and learning unfolded in Gujarat, where M.S. University offered him profound insights and introduced him to people from a diverse array of backgrounds. This unique convergence is the essence of university life – a melting pot where varied cultures and ideas collide in one place. Though his transformation from craftsman to artist began at JNTU (Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad), it was the encouragement and scholarship from his professors that propelled him to M.S. University. Despite his artistic evolution, he chose to remain a craftsman at heart.

His journey was filled with memorable and lesser-known anecdotes. One of the most famous involved him narrating the epic Mahabharata to friends under a tree after college hours, with many professors quietly listening in admiration. I recall Sudhakar Reddy ji sharing how he performed Dandiya in a dhoti for the first time on campus. The vibrant swirls of his dhoti set a trend, inspiring others to embrace traditional attire for the dance. He was the only student who consistently wore a dhoti and kurta, never once abandoning his traditional garb.

Unlike many other places, M.S. University was a sprawling institution that attracted students from all over the world. Among these students were many who carried fancy cameras and other advanced gadgets. One day, a foreigner colleague of him lost a small screw from his expensive camera, rendering it useless. Despite searching every corner of the city, he couldn’t find a replacement. Disheartened, he set the camera aside, believing it was beyond repair.

One evening, while having tea, Guruji noticed his friend and asked about the camera. Upon hearing about the problem, they decided to try one last time in another part of the city. They wandered through the streets, still unable to find the elusive screw, until they took a resting refuge in a small goldsmith’s shop. They enquired from him “O bhaiya, is camera ka ye screw ghum gaya hai, kahan milega, kuch bata sakte hai?” (The screw of this camera is missing, can you guide us where we can get a new one?) The goldsmith examined the camera and said, “Agay se baye me ek dukan hai, vahan par bhi dekh k ajayeh, tab tak me bhi dekh leta hoon.” (Go straight and take a left. There’s a shop there, check it out. I’ll also see what can be done in the meanwhile.)

Following his advice, they checked the nearby shop but found nothing. After enjoying a snack of Shrikhand, they returned to the goldsmith. To their amazement, the camera was already fixed! The Phirangi (foreigner) was stunned. His month-long search had ended in a small corner shop he had never expected. When he asked the goldsmith how he managed to find the rare screw, the craftsman replied, “I made it myself!”. The Phirangi was astonished that a tiny screw could be custom-made so quickly by a skilled artisan, something almost unimaginable in his own country. This incident underscored the incredible ingenuity and resourcefulness of local craftsmen.

Guruji narrated this incident to highlight the remarkable prowess of Indian craftsmen and their ability to create custom solutions swiftly and inexpensively. By leveraging simple technology, customized tools and generational skills, these artisans possessed a unique dexterity that set them apart. This innate ingenuity and resourcefulness have long been integral to India’s identity as an industrious and innovative nation.