Artist creates sand artwork in honor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday

For Vishwanath Mallabadi from Bengaluru, the concept of 'waste' does not exist. He creates works of art using discarded metal, old gadgets, and non-functional printed circuit boards.

A former executive at Wipro, who became an eco-artist after retirement, purchases electronic waste from scrap dealers and recyclers, transforming it into jewelry, murals, and sculptures. He has processed and transformed nearly 200 kg of e-waste into useful items and promotes the concept of eco-art as a way to solve waste management problems.

He told The Better India that he initially started this as a hobby, collecting e-waste, but after learning about the impact of electronic waste on the environment, he began creating murals and sculptures, which eventually turned into a business.

Currently, Vishwanath sells his unique pieces and reported having buyers from Europe, the Netherlands, the USA, as well as Delhi. To date, the eco-artist has created over 500 artifacts, including a six-foot sculpture made from recycled computer keyboard keys on a mannequin.

However, Vishwanath notes that the upcycling process is not simple; it requires careful study of the e-waste objects, as well as visualization and conceptualization of the final product. He explains that creating a piece of jewelry takes only two or three minutes, whereas a sculpture can require weeks or months.

He spoke at the first UN International Conference on Data Science for Sustainable Development, focusing on the efficient use of electronic waste.

On the occasion of the Janmashtami festival, Humbiya Fakruddin Alibai created a touching painting of Lord Krishna. The canvas depicts the captivating form of Lord Shiva holding a flute, next to which is a pitcher associated with Janmashtami. The artist, affectionately called K.F. Ali by his friends, dedicated approximately 8–10 days to creating this work.

Fakruddin Alibai has been involved in painting for about 40 years. He intends to present this artwork to the saintly and renowned storyteller Morari Bapu to receive his blessings.

Fakruddin Alibai's relationship with Lord Krishna did not arise suddenly. It is rooted in memories of the streets of Dwarka and the years spent there. He lived in Dwarka for a long time, and Dwarkadhish, as well as the city of Dwarka itself, are extremely important parts of his life.

Fakruddin shares that he spent many memorable days in Dwarka. It was during this period that a special attachment to Lord Krishna and Dwarkadhish developed in his soul, which gradually reflected in his art. He notes that he tries to create paintings related to Krishna's life every year during Janmashtami. This time, his thoughts led to the creation of a special image demonstrating the connection between God and the devotee.

Fakruddin Alibai began working using oil paints and continued to work on the canvas for 8–10 days. Gradually, the image of Lord Krishna appeared on the canvas: with a flute in hand, a charming expression on his face, and a pitcher that symbolizes Janmashtami. The picture gains a special uniqueness because Fakruddin did not attach the pitcher's string to the wall or the ceiling; in his view, this string is connected to Achalam, that is, the heart of Lord Krishna.

For him, this is not just an artistic experiment. He views it as the invisible yet palpable connection between the devotee and God. He believes that on Janmashtami, when devotees come to the temple to see God and pray sincerely, a direct emotional connection arises between them and God. This is the connection he tried to convey using colors on the canvas.

Fakruddin Alibai's painting is not a work completed in one or two days; it represents labor spanning almost four decades. He was fascinated by drawing from childhood, and over time, this hobby became an integral part of his life. Brushes and paints became his companions, and he dedicated about 40 years to painting.

He created portraits of faces, embodied the beauty of places in colors, and gave form to his feelings through painting. However, the paintings dedicated to Lord Krishna carry a special mood. He believes that just as one color mixes with another to create a new image, humanity, love, and devotion can unite people. Fakruddin's painting is not just a piece of art for Janmashtami; it reflects his connection to Dwarka, his 40-year artistic practice, and his feelings for Krishna. Perhaps this is why this painting shows not only the image of Lord Krishna but also the heart of the artist who embodied him on the canvas.

The painting is ready. Now Fakruddin Alibai wishes to present it to the esteemed saint and renowned storyteller Morari Bapu, considering this work a special gift created specifically for him. He wants to give it to Morari Bapu and receive his blessings.