RAIPUR: In the remote village of Madnar, located in the tribal region of Kondagaon, a middle-aged
teacher
named Shiv Charan Sahu is making a remarkable difference through his passion for
wooden sculpting
. While he is primarily known as a dedicated educator at the local middle school, Sahu’s influence extends well beyond the classroom. What started as a personal hobby has evolved into a transformative mission.
Recognizing the challenges and limited opportunities his students face, Sahu decided to use his sculpting skills to provide more than just academic knowledge. He began teaching his students not only the art of sculpting but also valuable lessons in resilience and self-reliance.
Sahu, a resident of Balod district, shared with TOI, "In 2018, when I was appointed in Madnar village in Kondagaon, I saw the children coming to school with limited opportunities. Wooden sculpting was my passion, and I wanted to teach the children with the aim of helping them develop skills beyond academics."
In 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic forced everything to shut down, many families, especially those of his students who came from middle-class and underprivileged backgrounds, faced financial hardships. Sahu saw an opportunity to teach wooden sculpting to his middle-school students, so they could become self-reliant and not have to depend on others financially.
Wooden craftsmanship is prevalent in many parts of the Bastar region. Initially, Sahu’s goal was simply to teach the children something beyond traditional
education
. However, the then Superintendent of Police, Divyang Patel, was impressed by the children's interest in sculpting and encouraged Sahu to expand his efforts. With Patel’s support, Sahu began teaching the students not only wooden art but also calligraphy and sculpting, skills that would be valuable in their future lives.
The first batch of students started learning in 2020, the same year a ‘shilp gram’ (crafts village) was launched. This place, similar to a museum, allowed artists to send their sculptures for sale. Once the cost was determined, the pieces were sold to tourists from across the country and abroad.
Many of Sahu’s students have even traveled to other states for art exhibitions. So far, 80 students have learned the craft completely, and more than 10 continue to practice regularly, turning it into a profession.
Initially, Sahu faced criticism, with some accusing him of exploiting the children for his personal passion. However, with the unwavering support of fellow teachers Arti Ber, Ranjeeta Tigga, and Lalita Samrath, Sahu overcomes these challenges and continues to inspire his students.
Later, fate seemed to align when the National Education Policy 2020 highlighted the importance of vocational education and
skill development
. For the first time, my students had the opportunity to showcase their skills on a national level, in front of school representatives from other states.
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