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Soma profiles an award-winning sculptor, Ram Kumar Manna, and reviews his works – for Different Truths.
Ram Kumar Manna loves to make the idol of Shree Ganesh but not in its orthodox form. He views Shree Ganesh through his vision in a different style and artistic manner, which became very popular in 1982. He was called to Jehangir Art Gallery to exhibit his unique sculptures.
He put a spirit of life and motion in his sculpture…
The sky was the limit for him to fly. He put a spirit of life and motion in his sculpture, which does not define the boundary of sensitivity, or organise the distinction of understanding but signifies the excess of the imagination beyond the actual ordinary impression of any object or feeling. That is why he can establish himself in quite a high position.
He was born, in 1963, in Purba (East) Medinipur, Kamarda Khejuri, a historical place. His father was Radha Shyam Manna. His mother was Katayani Manna. His journey to success was challenging. As a farmer’s son, he struggled a lot since his childhood. Due to the heavy financial crunch, he was forced to leave his education and join his father to earn his livelihood. He left school at the primary level. But in those days of struggle, he did not leave his work of creation. He loved playing with clay and kept doing it side by side in his battle for survival days.
His dedicated hard work and positive thinking are real inspirations for the next generation.
He successfully developed his style of work, which got noticed not only nationally but internationally as well. He got the chance to showcase his sculpture in London in 2009, which had an astonishing effect internationally. His skilled hands remodelled the art of sculpting.
Manna is mainly known for his rural art with innovative touches.
Manna is mainly known for his rural art with innovative touches. He prefers wooden furnaces to electronic furnaces to retain the terracotta’s original texture and colour. This further highlights the folk quality of his statues. The most delightful of all Manna’s work is ‘Child Ganesh’ reclining in his nice pose.
His wife, Minu Manna, is also a sculptor. He uses ceramic colours to add greys and greens to his red earth. Though he has been sculpting terracotta for a long time, he has yet to break out of the ancient prototype. The typical images that one associate with this medium continues to dominate his creative spectrum. His mixed media works with a wooden board and fibreglass accessories deteriorate into an unfortunate mix-up which reeks of commercialism and negates the pastoral and affected tone of the show.
The figures are familiar, cats, jackals, owls, and fishes, but the sculptor varies these forms. They are sometimes ornamented with Egyptian hieroglyphics. Now and then, strip them to the bare essentials or score with clean-cut lines. It reminds me of the Sudanese and ivory coast masks, sculptures, and folk toys at home.
But unlike African art, Ram Kumar Manna’s Terracotta sculptures on show at the Chitrakoot Art Gallery in 1983, the figures are all cast over a hollow, because of which eyes, jaws and beaks are often left gapping — adding to its simple and soft appeal.
Ramkumar Manna has an unmistakable feel for clay.
Ramkumar Manna has an unmistakable feel for clay. That is how he grew and became a Mattir Manush (son of the soil), sophisticated yet simple.
Photos sourced by the author
