Young sculptor’s idol steals show at Saraswati puja

Bokaro: Saraswati Puja was celebrated with great enthusiasm across Bokaro district on Monday, with educational institutions and puja committees installing idols and setting up decorated pandals. Among all displays, the pandal at Bharat Ekta Cooperative stood out, thanks to Prince Aryan, an 8th-grade student of DAV-4, whose sculpting skills captivated visitors.Prince's handmade Goddess Saraswati idols, crafted from clay, wall putty, and household materials, appear remarkably lifelike. The young artist, who began learning sculpture at age five through YouTube tutorials, has transformed social media into a learning tool rather than mere entertainment platform."This year, he created a five-foot-tall idol of Goddess Saraswati in our courtyard, earning widespread appreciation from the community," said his father, Nikesh Kumar Ojha. He added that Prince, deeply inclined toward spirituality, has built a temple in their courtyard featuring his self-sculpted idols of Lord Krishna, Ganesh, Kartikeya, and Goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati."I collect clay from my courtyard, filter and dry it before sculpting," Prince explained. "I use wooden sticks for structural strength and decorate with fabric scraps, paper, and thermocol. Besides sculpture, I enjoy painting realistic portraits."His family no longer needs to purchase festival idols, as Prince crafts them himself. His dedication and creative use of social media for skill development serves as an inspiration, demonstrating how passion and perseverance can lead to remarkable achievements.