Wisdom in Stone: Sculptor Sunil Madas

Trekking has been at the core of my strength and wisdom since childhood. The Sahyadri mountains have always been a key source of energy, helping me move forward, and a place to find peace and rest my troubles. But I never thought trekking would lead me to meet someone who would become one of the most important milestones in my life.

Kalsubai - Highest mountain in Maharashtra. I meet Sunil Kaka there , Long hair big Camera in his hand , shooting 'Sonaki Flower'. We were a large group of family friends, about 15-20 people that day, and he was one of them. At that time, I was studying engineering. Exploring photography very slowly. "Always shoot in RAW" his first advice to me :) .

This is the story of "The Start." After that trek, I continued with my engineering for a while, but then it hit me hard—'This is not who I am!' I left it on the day of my finals, with no clear direction ahead. I felt blocked. Although the Kalsubai trek had left a great impact on me, I had completely forgotten about Sunil Kaka during that time. My mother suggested that I go talk to him, perhaps to release my troubles—and maybe hers too. Theater had always been on my mind, but no one was really happy about it; it felt impractical. After a long three-hour discussion with Sunil Kaka, I finally had a place to go, or at least something to explore. He seemed to have great belief in this place, judging by the way he spoke about it. And there I was, standing at the door of BVSP!

Its really hard to explain Sunil Kaka in words. One must go sit with him and just talk for hours to understand what goes inside him :) . He is definitely not another brick in the wall in fact he is the first one who showed me to break down the wall which has been build up around us. When I got to know that Sunil kaka is 10th fail my whole world changed 180 degree for good. "Education" can only help you till some point but after that its all you . though I never had discussion on this with him, from my side I felt he changed the wind of my pursue of success. His story witness his believes to the core.

His fame came to him as a first rain of monsoon , Unexpected one must say .Sunil kaka never formally learned sculpting. It was Ganpati festival, he made an idol of Lord Ram for the first time, directly, without any prior knowledge. The news of his skills and detailing spread in the town like a wildfire. Sangamner got a new Artist after a long time I must say. A Sculptor. There was no one else to hold his hand in Ganpati decoration & making idols of ganesha. He did that for many years before shifting to something very diffrent . back then there were no flex printing technology. So hand-painted signboards, shop nameplates, and other hand-painted work were common. Sunil Kaka Started a workshop of that and run it many years again. His handwriting is one of the key element of his talent . He then shifted to screen printing and then to flex printing which he still do. Now I reliase that he was the first Multimedia Artist I meet.

His way of life is still one of the main ingrident in my progress . His suggestions have never gone sideways. Its an blessing to have someone like him in your life. He had a big role in my life to start my own unconventionl journy and I hope to live up to his expectation and mine to . He has always been succesfull to avoid all dirty magnets from life to hold you down . His foucs is something out of this world . One can spent entier life to learn it .

'Beyond the horizon of the place we lived when we were young

In a world of magnets and miracles

Our thoughts strayed constantly and without boundary

The ringing of the division bell had begun'

-Pink Floyd

This words fits to the story of us so well that everytime they got played on the speacker I alwasy think of him . Sunil kaka I can not say thank you to you I know, you dont like it.

Though one thing I must say that I will make you proud. And Sunil kaka if you are reading it till now I will act on your recent advice soon :) I will get married someday :)