Artist Thakare Naik with locomotor disability paints a world of his own

Thakare Naik with locomotor disability from the Lambada tribe, overcame physical limitations to create inspiring mixed media works.

There are numerous examples of differently-abled people who have overcome limitations to make a mark in their chosen field. Their struggles persist but they continue to pursue their passion. Here is one such inspiring artist, Thakare Naik, from the Lambada tribe, who found strength in art despite his physical limitations.

A freelance artist for 15 years, Thakare’s works have been exhibited as part of solo and group shows across India, including Hyderabad, Vadodara, Delhi and Kolkata. With meticulous attention to detail, his 16 mixed media works were showcased at the recently-held group show, ABC 6.0, in Bengaluru. Organised by Art Bengaluru Collective (ABC) at Rangoli Metro Art Centre, MG Road Metro Station, the multi-art exhibition featured works of 24 artists.

Diagnosed with polio (right leg and a weak right hand) in his childhood, Thakare lived with his family — parents and three brothers — in Kalyanadurgam town of Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. That life was tough for him is an understatement as he grew up in extreme poverty.

Unable to take care of the disabled child, his father left him at a government hostel for the physically challenged. With no interest in education and facing neglect, Thakare took to begging to fend for himself. “I became carefree. I used to beg near the bus stand and hotels and later spend the money to eat or watch movies. I thought this was the only world for me,” Thakare recalls.

This continued for 10 years until his brother and father found him at a market one day, brought him home and enrolled him in a school in Thimmapur.

Watching his teacher’s son Sudhakant practice art sparked an interest in Thakare to express creatively. He began drawing Science diagrams for his friends and soon became popular. The crutches he received in Anantapur also gave him a new life, as he could travel to other cities. After a four-year course in Tirupati, he came to Hyderabad to pursue Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from Telugu University. “During the interview, the teachers wondered if I will complete my degree,” recalls Thakare. But he did and went on to pursue Master of Arts (MFA) from Viswa Bharati University in Santiniketan.

Thakare expressed his feelings through art and many paintings done at Santiniketan were based on his life. Also, different assistive products — crutches, calipers, wheel chair, walkers, knee ankle foot orthosis, prosthetic devices etc became narrative elements in his works.