My artistic inspiration

Author: 
Rucha Rathod

Rucha Rathod was born and brought up in Ahmedabad. She attended Firdaus Amrut School. In 2019 she graduated from Silver Oak College of Engineering and Technology as a civil engineer.

Rucha has many and varied interests. She’s a top class table tennis player. She has participated in many school and college level co-curricular and extracurricular activities like debates, swimming, skating etc. She is a trained Bharatnatyam dancer.

Rucha loves to be close to nature and often accompanies her father to observe flora and fauna in their natural pristine beauty.

Rucha also loves to draw paint and sketch. Her skills at sketching are being showcased in this story.

Everyone has a passion for something in their life that motivates or inspires them in some way.

Since I was a little girl I always liked to make drawings, sketching, paintings, and reading books. Apart from this I was passionate about Sport as well. My dad used to bring the best of the books for my summer vacations, in order to sharpen my skills and invest my time in some productive things, rather than just playing video-games.

I did my schooling all through Firdaus Amrut School, right from kindergarten to class 12. Being part of a Cantonment campus I experienced disciplined environment. During summer break I learnt Skating, Swimming, and Bharatnatyam. Later on I started playing Table-Tennis. My parents always encouraged me and provided me that push whenever I faced any unpleasant situation or obstacles.

My talent got enlighten when I received my first prize in 4th grade for securing Grade “A” in a drawing-painting contest subject to “Be Literate and Save Environment” organised by National Institute of Kalabharti Child Art Development. In the course of that year, my dance was broadcasted on national television programme M.A.D. (Music, Art & Dance) aired on Pogo TV.

 
Performing Bharatnatyam dance on stage for the Music, Art & Dance, aired on Pogo TV channel.

Performing Bharatnatyam dance on stage for the Music, Art & Dance, aired on Pogo TV channel.

 

The succeeding year I played my first State Level Inter-School Table Tennis Tournament held in Adipur (Kutch) . Being a beginner player it was extremely challenging although I learnt a lot from the experience.

 
Newspaper article covering my achievements in the Under-9 State Level Inter-School Table Tennis Tournament

Newspaper article covering my achievements in the Under-9 State Level Inter-School Table Tennis Tournament

 

Later, I made a decision to stop practicing for Bharatnatyam at Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, as I could not sync my extracurricular activities schedule along with studies, which turned to be immensely upsetting for my Mom as I was already in 4th year of Course, as she dreamt of molding me as dancer.

Thereafter, I carried on with my TT’s practice along with studies, also kept enrolling myself playing Open State Tournaments. From time to time, my achievements were noted by local newspapers.

 
Newspaper article covering my achievements in the Under-14 State Level Inter-School Table Tennis Tournament

Newspaper article covering my achievements in the Under-14 State Level Inter-School Table Tennis Tournament

 
 
Newspaper article covering my achievements in the Under-19 State Level Inter-School Table Tennis Tournament

Newspaper article covering my achievements in the Under-19 State Level Inter-School Table Tennis Tournament

 

In the meantime, after honing my artistic skills, I appeared for my Elementary Drawing exam where I managed to pass with flying colours by obtaining Grade “A”.

In the ensuing year I was able to participate in Drawing Competition organised by Customs & Central Excise Department, themed on “Global Warming”, in which I received a Prize on the occasion of Republic Day. It made me so blissful that was indeed a proud moment for my Dad too.

 
Receiving a Consolation Prize in the Drawing Competition organised by Customs & Central Excise Department.

Receiving a Consolation Prize in the Drawing Competition organised by Customs & Central Excise Department.

 

I was focused about my academics as well. Just when in 2012, I had my 10th grades board exams; I had to halt my TT’s practice. The upcoming year too, I could not go in for training as I chose the Science stream. I had two years of Board exams as per new norms of the time.

As I was zealous about drawings, I opted to pursue Civil Engineering. I signed in at Silver Oak College of Engineering and Technology in year 2014. The same year I met with a serious accident, injuring my leg. Due to a ligament injury I was neither able rejoin my coaching nor attend my college lectures.

For me, drawing and sketching is a stress-buster, something to freshen up my mood, owing to the fact that during that period of time, I forget about all my tensions and the state of ennui being at home. This played a vital role in my recovery, being stuck in bed after surgery, drowned in boredom, as it charges me with urge to carry out innovative experiments.

With my doctor’s permission, I gave Table-Tennis a restart in 2016.

 
Table tennis - preparing to serve.

Table tennis - preparing to serve.

 

I participated in my college events of sports and acquiring 1st position consistently. I represented my College in National West Zone Inter-University Table-Tennis Women Tournament 2017-18 held at Bhopal, selection for All India Universities (AIU).

 
At the National West Zone Inter-University Table-Tennis Women Tournament 2017-18.

At the National West Zone Inter-University Table-Tennis Women Tournament 2017-18.

 

The following year I was the Winner of Inter-College Tournament Table-Tennis Women. At the end of the Term my achievements were duly acknowledged by my College, which indeed was a matter of honour for me.

 
Winner of Inter-College Tournament Table-Tennis Women 2019, representing Silver Oak College of Engineering and Technology.

Winner of Inter-College Tournament Table-Tennis Women 2019, representing Silver Oak College of Engineering and Technology.

 

Throughout my journey my parents have been a substantial support system. I could achieve all this because of my Dad, as he’s an all-rounder; I look up to him as my role model.

My parents always took my losses and wins equally, saying I always added one more Golden Feather to my hat. Besides this, it helps me to elevate my artistry; moreover it makes me feel if I’m on cloud nine.

Nevertheless, currently I appeared for entrance tests for further courses abroad. I hope lady luck smiles on me. Simultaneously doing my internship in AutoCAD/ Revit, a Mumbai-based multinational company.

Artistic Inspiration

I started engaging in creative art when I was a kid. Apart from sketching, I have made Glass-painting, Fabric-painting, Oil-pastel drawings, fancy greeting cards, many other items.

My inspiration to draw sketches of wild animals and birds comes from my father, who is a fine artist and also a passionate wildlife photographer.

 
Accompanying my father on a wildlife photography trip.

Accompanying my father on a wildlife photography trip.

 

As we wander in forests and stay close to nature often, away from the bustling city square and places, exploring Mother Nature, we get enmeshed with beauty and serenity of jungles and nature.

 
Hiking in the Himalayas.

Hiking in the Himalayas.

 

Moreover, to be upfront, I find it quite challenging to sketch each animal as each animal’s skin texture differs. Some have spots, some have furs while others have wrinkled skin.

 
Leopard with prey (Pencil sketch by Rucha Rathod.)

Leopard with prey (Pencil sketch by Rucha Rathod.)

 

Unequivocally, birds have attractive patterns on their feathers. To exemplify, Elephants, Rhinos have wrinkled skin; Tigers and Jaguars on the other hand have fur with stripes or spots on them.

 
Flamingo in water with baby (Pencil sketch by Rucha Rathod.)

Flamingo in water with baby (Pencil sketch by Rucha Rathod.)

 
 
A bird of prey stealing an egg from a nest (Pencil sketch by Rucha Rathod.)

A bird of prey stealing an egg from a nest (Pencil sketch by Rucha Rathod.)

 

Shading methods vary according to the animal’s skin texture; to understand it and complete it thoroughly and suitably. There are many things to take care of which include applying varying pressure on the pencil, choosing the grade of pencil to be used , smudging in proper manner, repetition of short strokes and cross hatching. In addition to this I work on light tone, direct light or highlights, shades, reflected line, sharp cut plus cast shadow.

But I enjoy it all.

 
A curious cat investigates (Pencil sketch by Rucha Rathod.)

A curious cat investigates (Pencil sketch by Rucha Rathod.)

 
 
A proud tiger (Pencil sketch by Rucha Rathod.)

A proud tiger (Pencil sketch by Rucha Rathod.)

 
 
Rucha Rathod
 

Comments

I'm much obliged to you Sir for providing me such platform to enlighten my Talent!

Very good. God bless her. Wish her success in all her future endeavours.

Thank you so much sir!

You are a rockstar! Full of life, full of talent and full of creativity. God bless you! 😘😘

Many thanks for your appreciation as always, Akshay! 🤗

Rucha you are very potential and wearing many hats on you.
You are just like your Dad or my best friend.
Love your sketching and top of your game. Keep it up.
All The Best For Everything and Good Luck.

Thank you so much Chatur uncle, yes, said it correctly. I’m inherited in terms of hobbies nd other activities! ☺️

Since her childhood Rucha remained favorite of her teachers and coaches, due to her hard work and positive attitude. She was always curious and interested in various fields and subjects like sports, debates, painting, science, reading, dancing etc. As regard to her hobby of drawing and sketching, she is self-taught artist. Though, she was always scoring 10 out of 10 in her art book maintained in school. Whether sports or arts or education, she always performed with all her dedication and commitment. I remember, after 12th when her performance in Table Tennis was at peak, unfortunately she met with an accident and got her ligaments ruptured. Amid the frustration and worries, after the break of almost two years, she again stepped into the tournaments, and surprisingly she lead her university at national level two times. I am ever proud of my warrior princess, who knows what she wants, who she is and what she stands for. At this juncture, I would like to say her- keep the fire in your soul, explore everything, sport, the world, education, food, everything. Live a colourful life, follow your dreams, live your best life. I’m your biggest cheerleader, always in the wings watching, admiring and proud as punch ! I know this is only the beginning and wish good luck for your journey ahead!

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to inourdays.org , Subhash Mathur sir and all the well-wishers, for appreciating and encouraging the talent and abilities of Rucha.

From my childhood support to fulfilling my adult needs. I can be a great person in future some day, bt I believe dat I can never be greater than you. You loved me throughout life, you were with me wen nobody else was, you cared for me wen I needed. Thank You for holding my hand nd watching over me. Thanks for everything you’ve done for me nd Thanks in advance for everything you’re going to do for me.

Very nice read, God bless you, Great to know about an all-rounder. I appreciate the determination to pursue TT even after injury. May you bring more and more Laurels and make your parents proud. And the sketches are simply amazing, what a talent

Your kind words warmed my heart. Thank you very much for your well wishes ma’am.

It's amazing to see a good raising of a girl child and more so ever Rucha's dedication. Being multitalented initially always helps but later on one needs to focus to excel. Congratulations Rucha and best wishes for your future. Soar higher than a cloud.

I’m much obliged, it means a lot ma’am! I’m Eternally grateful to you ma’am for your wise words, thank you very much!

I have read your article and it is so adorable , you're kind of multitasking person with a amazing personality & always positive attitude towards everything , having your knowledge by your side .It is my pleasure to see you in such a beautiful designation fulfilled with your achievements. 'Art always displays conscience ' therefore you're a strong & dignified girl with those big beautiful eyes . You're talent inspires me in a lot of way . You are really an inspiring person. It is just a spark and there is many more to come ahead, wishing you a great journey ahead with great success following behind .

I’m humbled nd grateful, sometimes the simple things mean the most. I’m delighted my story could inspire you, so glad to help you out, my lil sister! You always show love, encouragement and inspire others. You are a wonderful person nd I hope this shines on you. Happy to have you by my side, always.

Dear Rucha,
You are Multitalented girl.Discipline, dedication, creativity and full of skills I always noted in your personality.good going, I wish whichever the goals you sets in your mind, definitely you will achieve.Proud to have player like you as a sports teacher.God bless you.

Thank you very much Sir. I cudn’t have achieved widout the support I received during my schooling. You have always been determined to help me, organised practice sessions in school in order to enhance my TT skill, I’ll always be grateful to you!

You have the creativity and determination to do whatever you can dream. I hope you feel proud today and confident in your ability to rise to your next challenge. You’ve earned every bit of the success you’re enjoying. Sending you heartfelt congratulations today and wishing you all the best on your future and career.

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