Encouraged by seniors,Mumbai police constable gets his art back Painting was his passion from the age of 16 until he joined the police,where he spent almost 14 of the 16 years in the force away from the paintbrush. Around two years back,Ramesh Ganpat Chopde,41,could not resist the temptation any longer. Egged on by some of his seniors in the force who recognised his talent,he started taking a renewed interest in his hobby. In 2008,he started devoting some time every day,after long and tiring police beats,to his art. The result: 40-odd paintings and murals which he hopes to put up in an exhibition soon. Now posted in the central region at Byculla police police station,Chopdes art has won hearts of superiors. Officers like former director generals of police D Sivanandhan and AN Roy agreed to get their portraits made by Chopde. They have hung their portraits at their houses, said Chopde with a smile. Additional commissioner Vinit Agarwal got portraits of Lokmanya Tilak,Albert Einstein made for his office, says Chopde. He has also made made a painting of President Pratibha Patil and wants to present it to her. Chopde has created a mural of warli painting at the Additional commissioner of polices office at Kalachowky. Its his tribute to the police and he has depicted how a policeman serves citizens. I wanted to show how police help citizens in everyday lives. I chose warli painting as its the simplest form of art that could be understood by a commoner, Chopde explains. He has made portraits of several personalities. He says Warrior king Shivaji is his best subject and he has been in awe of Shivaji since childhood. He has created a number of murals and portraits of his hero. I have created murals of Shivaji at the Force One office for motivating commandos undergoing training , adds Chopde. His regrets having discontinued painting for 14 years after he joined the police. Painting is a rich mans hobby and I being son of a helper with a private firm could not afford to pursue it. I have always lived in Bhandup but I had a drawing teacher who stayed in Kurla and everyday,after I completed SSC,I used to go to him. Later,I had to give up my interest. Since my financial condition was weak and I was a good sportsman I decided to join the force, says the constable. When his superiors recognised his talent,they encouraged him to revive his hobby. Chopde says his wife of 13 years is his inspiration and guides him and helps him in painting. Chopde has made 40 paintings since 2008 and wants to display them in an exhibition. I want to display evolution of Mumbai police since the British era with the help of my paintings and models and also hope to sell some of my paintings at the next Kala Ghoda festival, he says.
