<p>An engineer has developed an unusual hobby: creating art from chalk, rice, plastic straws, eggshells, stapler pins, and groundnut shells. </p>.<p>T Muppidathi, 46, started creating small figurines from chalk when he was 19. “I was doing my engineering course when I first created a Ganesha from broken chalk pieces,” recalls the Malleswaram resident.</p>.<p>He then went on to create the Statue of Liberty, cars and chains, using the same medium.</p>.<p>Over time, he switched to rice grains. “Using a cutter, I created a miniature ‘Shivalingam’ with 10 grains. I also made an Eiffel Tower model from 2,332 grains in 46 hours,” he says. </p>.<p>Hailing from Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, Muppidathi made a pen from rice grains and gifted it to the then chief minister M Karunanidhi.</p>.<p>“He said he would always remember me for the pen. I was also lauded for being a good artist and recognised by the collector of Tirunelveli in 2007,” he says. </p>.<p>Muppidathi has inscribed 1,330 ‘Thirukkural’ verses in reverse on palm leaves, to be read in reflection with the help of a mirror. </p>.<p>One of his longest projects was a Taj Mahal made from chalk and plaster of Paris. “It took me almost four years to complete,” he says. </p>.<p><strong><span class="bold">Latest project</span></strong></p>.<p>Muppidathi’s more recent projects use groundnut shells. He has just now created an installation to promote pandemic safety. </p>.<p>“My latest work is about social distancing. I’ve created a line of people maintaining distance and wearing masks while shopping. I used binding wire and fabric to create the people,” he explains. </p>.<p><em><span class="italic">Muppidathi can be contacted on 90362 15647.</span></em></p>
<p>An engineer has developed an unusual hobby: creating art from chalk, rice, plastic straws, eggshells, stapler pins, and groundnut shells. </p>.<p>T Muppidathi, 46, started creating small figurines from chalk when he was 19. “I was doing my engineering course when I first created a Ganesha from broken chalk pieces,” recalls the Malleswaram resident.</p>.<p>He then went on to create the Statue of Liberty, cars and chains, using the same medium.</p>.<p>Over time, he switched to rice grains. “Using a cutter, I created a miniature ‘Shivalingam’ with 10 grains. I also made an Eiffel Tower model from 2,332 grains in 46 hours,” he says. </p>.<p>Hailing from Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, Muppidathi made a pen from rice grains and gifted it to the then chief minister M Karunanidhi.</p>.<p>“He said he would always remember me for the pen. I was also lauded for being a good artist and recognised by the collector of Tirunelveli in 2007,” he says. </p>.<p>Muppidathi has inscribed 1,330 ‘Thirukkural’ verses in reverse on palm leaves, to be read in reflection with the help of a mirror. </p>.<p>One of his longest projects was a Taj Mahal made from chalk and plaster of Paris. “It took me almost four years to complete,” he says. </p>.<p><strong><span class="bold">Latest project</span></strong></p>.<p>Muppidathi’s more recent projects use groundnut shells. He has just now created an installation to promote pandemic safety. </p>.<p>“My latest work is about social distancing. I’ve created a line of people maintaining distance and wearing masks while shopping. I used binding wire and fabric to create the people,” he explains. </p>.<p><em><span class="italic">Muppidathi can be contacted on 90362 15647.</span></em></p>
