Nuruddin Ahmed is a special artist from Assam. He makes beautiful idols of Hindu gods and goddesses for Durga Puja, a big festival. Nuruddin is not Hindu, he is Muslim. But he shows that art has no religion. He has been doing this work for 50 years! Nuruddin didn’t learn this art from his family. It was his hobby that became his job. At first, his family didn’t like his work. But Nuruddin didn’t give up. He followed his heart. He went to Mumbai to study art and sculpture. Now, Nuruddin is very famous. He has won many awards, including the President’s Award and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. These are big honours in India. Nuruddin’s story teaches us that talent and hard work are more important than a person’s religion. He shows that we can respect and celebrate each other’s cultures.
Hobby Becomes a Profession
Nuruddin’s love for art started when he was very young. He was in class 5 when he first felt the urge to create. His family was worried at first. They didn’t understand why a Muslim boy wanted to make Hindu idols. But Nuruddin’s passion was strong. He decided to learn more about art. In 1977, he went to J.J. College of Arts in Mumbai. There, he learned how to make sculptures properly. It wasn’t easy for Nuruddin. He had to work hard to earn money and study at the same time. But he never gave up. His love for art kept him going. Slowly, people started noticing his work. They saw how beautiful his idols were. They didn’t care about his religion. They only cared about his talent. This is how Nuruddin’s hobby became his job. His story shows us that if we follow our dreams with honesty and hard work, we can succeed.
Respecting Traditions and Embracing Technology
Nuruddin is very careful when he makes Hindu idols. He respects Hindu traditions and follows them closely. He even brings prasad (holy food) from his home to offer to the idols. This shows how much he respects the Hindu faith. Nuruddin says, “I had never thought of arranging things for him, being a Muslim man. I take it from here because how rich is the husband of his man.” This means he feels it’s his duty to respect the traditions, no matter what his own religion is. Over the years, Nuruddin has seen many changes in his work. Earlier, he used simple tools like bamboo. Now, he uses modern technology. He says, “Time makes sense, now there is modern technology, now my technology is there.” This shows how Nuruddin keeps learning and improving his art. He mixes old traditions with new methods to make his work even better.
Passing the Art to the Next Generation
Nuruddin’s son, Deep Ahmed, is now following in his father’s footsteps. Deep Ahmed feels proud to continue his father’s work. He says, “This is a great thing that we are able to do. People do a lot but we have a platform where we can show our talent.” Deep Ahmed and his father work together to make beautiful idols. They don’t just do it for money. Deep Ahmed explains, “Whatever budget is there of the committee, that is the budget of the committee. We utilise it all here. Nothing is saved. There is no profit here.” This shows their dedication to art and community service. Deep Ahmed uses new technology to improve their work. He hopes that the next generation will also join this art. He believes that by doing this work, they can bring people together and do good for society.
Art Knows No Religion: A Message of Unity
Nuruddin and Deep Ahmed’s story teaches us a big lesson. It shows that art has no religion. When people see their beautiful idols, they don’t think about who made them. They only see beauty and skill. This is the power of art. It brings people together. It helps us understand and respect each other’s cultures. Nuruddin and Deep Ahmed’s work is not just about making idols. It’s about building bridges between communities. They show that we can celebrate each other’s festivals and traditions. Their story reminds us that India’s strength is in its diversity. When people from different religions work together, they create something beautiful. This is the true spirit of India. Nuruddin and Deep Ahmed’s work is a symbol of harmony and brotherhood. It shows that talent, hard work, and respect for others are the most important things in life.
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