There's a saying in Bengali, 'Shorirer naam Mohashoy, Ja shoyabe, Tai shoy', which loosely translates, 'The body is called master, whatever it can bear, it endures'. Manoj Samanta seems to be an ideal example of this saying. Since childhood, he has been afflicted with a complex physical illness. Several years ago, doctors diagnosed that he cannot do any heavy work. But that doesn't mean one can just lie down! Since childhood, he has had an immense attraction towards art.
With that determination, he started creating various portraits and models. Today, he has made a name for himself through the quality of his work. He creates portraits of various luminaries with his own hands. Art enthusiasts are amazed to see his various models made of wood and stone. The portraits of luminaries created by his hands are displayed in various educational institutions, government and non-government organisations.
Despite physical complications, Manoj has made his 'master' body endure through work. Manoj is a resident of Sankoya village, a few kilometres away from Kharagpur town. At the age of five, it was discovered that he had a hole in his heart. The disease was gradually worsening. Meanwhile, in childhood, he had a hobby of taking impressions from various anatomy books at the pharmacist's place and creating replicas.
Gradually, he started creating sculptures and portraits. After studying up to the higher secondary level, he completed a diploma from Midnapore Art College. As age increased, the disease worsened further, but even then, it could not suppress his passion for art. He skillfully brings to life various sculptures and portraits.
Most of Manoj's artworks are centred around 'mother'. The love between mother and child is one of the main themes of his artwork. He creates all these arts using wood. He is also skilled at making sculptures, portraits of various luminaries, and different types of replicas. Multiple portraits, various models of wood and stone created by him, have travelled beyond the district to other states. Even sculptures made by him have gone abroad.
His family consists of parents, wife, two daughters, brother and brother's wife. The family runs on the money earned in exchange for various artworks. He has set up a studio in his own house. Sitting there, he gives shape to various artworks. After open-heart surgery in 2018, Manoj has become even weaker. He cannot stand or sit for long periods. But even within that, the work of creation continues.
In Manoj's words, “Creating art is like an addiction for me. If I don't go to the workshop all day, I feel sad. Whenever orders come, I make sculptures of various luminaries like former President APJ Abdul Kalam, Rabindranath, Vivekananda, Vidyasagar and earn my living.”
However, he also mentions that without family support, it would not have been possible for him to do so much work.
