Ranchi prisoners paint their way to salvation

Ranchi: It is a painting of a man behind bars, regretting his deeds. The artist did not have to stretch his imagination to paint the picture -- he just had to look within.The creator of the painting, Mahabir Ram, 56, a resident of the Hatia area of Ranchi, was convicted of rape and sentenced to 10 years` rigorous imprisonment. "When I was convicted and landed in jail I slipped into a void. Life didn`t have any meaning for me any more," Ram Said.

Then in July last year the authorities in the Birsa Munda central jail in Ranchi started painting and other activities, and as many as 50 prisoners like Ram found an outlet for their emotions. "Painting has given me a new lease of life. Now painting is an important part of my life," Ram said. The jail administration has initiated many activities including painting, sculpting and computer training. The idea to start painting classes was mooted early last year and the classes began in July last year. A rape accused, Kartik Prasad was appointed instructor to the prisoners. Kartik was jailed in May last year. A graduate of fine arts from an institute in Chandigarh, Prasad was running a design workshop in Kolkata. "We have adopted a multi-dimensional approach to engaging the prisoners. We have started computer education for 200 prisoners, painting, literacy programme through national open school and other activities," said Deepak Vidyarthi, jail superintendent of Birsa Munda central jail. "Even Maoist prisoners take interest in the activities. We have seen a remarkable change in the mindset of prisoners," Vidyarthi said. Prem Lal Toppo, another convict who has taken a keen interest in painting, is a resident of Gumla district. He was brought to the Ranchi central jail after being convicted for murder. Most of his paintings reflect the theme of AIDS. "I learnt painting after coming to jail in February last year. When I am released from jail, I will take up painting full time," Toppo said. Prasad said: "It was a tough job to train them (prisoners). Many of them did not know the basics of painting. Many of them did not know how to handle the brush and how to use paint and colours. After one year there has been a marked improvement." The jail administration has also tied up with the Chhotanagpur Art Research and Development Society to use the talent of the prisoners after they are released from jail. In a move to encourage prisoners to adopt painting as a medium of livelihood the jail administration organised a five-day painting exhibition last month in the Ranchi University campus. Around 130 paintings were displayed and nearly 30 of them were sold for prices ranging between Rs500 and Rs2,000. IANS