An eggsacting piece of art

Multi-cut egg artist Silaparasetty Durga Shankar creates a replica of the first locomotive that chugged out of Visakhapatnam on October 1, 1894. He has produced over 100 art works with egg shells. These include models of motorcycles, musical instruments, car and snake.

Egg shell artist S. Durga Shankar with his creation in Visakhapatnam. - Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

Though the Railway Budget – 2014 is a “big disappointment” for people of North Andhra and the Visakhapatnam region, a replica of a locomotive made by multi-cut egg artist Silaparasetty Durga Shankar is sure to become a big draw.

Shankar, hailing from the city, has been involved in the art since 2001.

He made the replica of the first locomotive that chugged out of Visakhapatnam on October 1, 1894. He used eight emu egg shells and four hen egg shells, ice-cream sticks, ball pen refills, and some fancy items to make the locomotive.

“I spent around Rs.8,000 for making the locomotive as the emu eggs are costly and, while cutting, many shells develop cracks and go waste. I used egg shell for the brake shoes, engine door, and caps. Some of the decorative items, shaping liquid and gumming material are expensive,” he says.

“I have learnt the art on my own during my spare time and perfected it over a period of time,” says Mr. Shankar, who works in a private firm.

He has produced over 100 art works with egg shells. These include models of motorcycles, musical instruments, car and snake.

A replica of the cricket World Cup grabbed the attention when he placed it on the Internet, and a model of ‘Eega’ (housefly), the popular Telugu film by Rajamouli, won the appreciation of the ace director himself.

He was invited to participate in the Poultry India Show organised at Hitex, Hyderabad, in 2012. He had designed the logo of the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) with shells. His art works, displayed at the show, won the appreciation of visitors.

Shankar’s plea

Shankar’s father Harishandra Rao retired from the Railways as senior electrical lineman in 1998. Being the eldest son, he aspired to join the Railways and support the family. He had been appearing for the Railway Recruitment Board examinations, but luck had not favoured him so far.

“In 2012, I received the hall-ticket after the examination on June 10, thereby depriving me of a chance,” he says.

He hopes the Railways would provide him a chance to work as a multi-cut egg artist by giving him a suitable job.