Miniature tributes to big personalities is what C. Ravi, a design artist, specialises in. The new Prime Minister, Narendra Damodardas Modi, is a project completed and the next on his list is U.S. President Barack Obama.
Although Mr. Ravi works with a jewellery brand, sketching designs for gold, platinum and silver jewellery and creating diamond studded neckpieces or intricately carved earrings are not what gives him the creative high.
His prized possessions are his miniature-sized lead carvings of prominent personalities, including Rajiv Gandhi, Abdul Kalam, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sarojini Naidu and Rajinikanth.
He has created around 450 such carvings that are arranged in a box fitted with a magnifying glass.
“I usually select and carve personalities who are the flavour of the season,” Mr. Ravi said. His latest addition is Mr. Modi, which he carved out in three days. Most of his miniature carvings are between half-an-inch and one inch. However, he has a handful collection of miniatures of politicians such as S.M. Krishna and Sonia Gandhi which are as small as one millimetre.
What started in 2002 as a hobby has now become a full-fledged passion. Mr. Ravi aspires to create thousands of miniatures and have a museum where he can display each one of his carvings with a magnifying glass.
His favourite lead carving, he said, is that of Rajiv Gandhi as it is a “complete replica”.
However, the toughest lead carving, he said, was the inscriptions of the pillars in Belur and Halebidu temples.
Asked what inspires him, he said that compliments from visitors keeps him going. “I want all the important people in the world to be in my box,” he said.
