Viral Hanuman artist on cloud nine after praise from the PM

I was shocked when I saw the recording of the PM taking my name (Modi called him the pride of Mangaluru). He appreciated my art. He noticed me.

KARAN ACHARYA ARTIST

Karan Acharya is on cloud nine. HT had reported how the Hanuman vector artist’s graphic had gone viral and was being used by people throughout the country. Later, at an election rally in Karnataka recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the young graphic artist, who is a native of village Kudlu in Kasaragod. Modi called him the “pride of Mangaluru”.

Acharya says the praise by the PM is a “dream come true” and the “biggest achievement of his life”. He recalls being “surprised and shocked” when he first heard that Modi had mentioned his name. “I started getting a lot of calls in office. I was scared that something had happened. This is when my friends messaged me saying that Modi ji praised had me. Kabhi socha nahin tha. I was shocked when I saw the live recording of the PM taking my name. He appreciated my art (smiles). He noticed me!”

Acharya once again became a popular keyword on Twitter in the following days. As a gesture of gratitude for recognising his work, the artist has made a digital painting of PM Modi. “I had wished that one day he’d appreciate my work.. and I had thought maybe 10 years down the line in the future, he will (laughs). I called my mum after seeing the video, but she already knew [about it], as people had started to congratulate her. She was immensely happy,” recalls Acharya.

The artist, who is busy dabbling in various projects, has a start-up planned.“We are a team in Hyderabad and are getting a lot of projects. I am currently busy in designing for a conference on cancer prevention. I plan to continue painting... Mujhe abhi aur seekhna hain. Abhi bahut baaki hain seekhne ke liye (I still have to learn a lot),” he says.

He also plans to share his talent and knowledge with the world through a YouTube channel. “Digital is the future. Because of so much work, going [out] and teaching is difficult. So, I plan to upload tutorial videos (2D, digital art) for budding artists, as videos reach everyone. We also plan to do a demonstration for young kids in the colony I am currently staying in Hyderabad,” Acharya

signs off.