Renowned leaf artist Akshay Kotian has entered the Golden Book of World Records by carving the portrait of Charlie Chaplin on a 1×1.7 cm sized fig leaf (smallest leaf art) in just 7 minutes. Vaishnav Manish, the adjudicator from the Golden Book of World Records handed over the certificate to him at a special programme held at Belthangady on the occasion of the 75th Independence Day.
Akshay, a resident of Kallabettu Moodbidri is studying in the third year of the Bachelor of Visual Arts course at Alva’s College, and has gained wide popularity for his distinctive style and use of leaves of peepal tree, jackfruit trees, and fig trees to create portraits of famous personalities or celebrities.
Speaking to News Karnataka Akshay shared, “I use to practice leaf art using newspapers. Once I mastered the art, I used leaves to carve portraits of famous personalities including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Former Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa, Dr. Veerendra Heggade, Hemavathi Heggade, Janardhana Poojary, film actor Jaggesh, MLAs Umanath Kotian, and Harish Poonja, businessman Vijay Sankeshwar, and actor Yash among others.
“I started this leaf art one and a half years ago. During the last year’s lockdown, on Instagram, I saw Chinese leaf artist’s nature-related work. This inspired me to carve portraits on a leaf. First I tried to carve the portrait of Rashmika Mandanna, but it was not that accurate. However, now I have done more than 250 leaf artworks. At present, leaf art has an adequate demand, not only in the district but also from Bengaluru and Dubai,” he said.
Apart from this, Akshay is well known for carving miniature sculptures in pencil lead and transforming graphite into something or a personality. He said that he is also interested in charcoal and soap arts and has created several pieces and expressed his desire to set up more world records by continuing to nurture this unique and incredible talent.
