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 This
is a story of an innocent bird who has broken wings but has not lost
her passion to soar high. This is the story of a mesmerising shining
star who had the conviction to last through a clouded and thundering
night.This is Madhuri Kapurs story, a physically and mentally challenged individual who has been kissed by both- the tears and the joys of life. She is a classic example of a strong person that hides inside a disabled body and mind. Madhuri is a talented artist and has found her outlet in her paintings. Her canvas is her platform, her strokes speak what her silence does not. Despite the challenge which has rendered her immobile and speechless, Madhurí has honed her skills so finely, that her inability is gracefully overshadowed. What in Madhuri's case started off as a mere hobby, grew into a gripping passion. Her art has become her life. Not letting her condition inhibit her, Madhari communicates and creates by using a head pointer, keyboard and computer terminal. Madhuri begari painting at the tender age of 12 years. It was then realised that she had a natural flair for art. Her. parents and friends realised her flair and encouraged ¡t. Madhuri is inspired by nature and the human form. She is comfortable with doing imprints but is impatient to take on and experiment with different forms of art. Yet she fuses abstracts with faces to develop a new vision. Madhuri gives us an insight into her bold, daring and imaginativa personality. When you see her paint with water colours and a head pointer, when you see her let her imagination loose, you can scarcely believethat she is a challenged individual. Her paintings are not her bread and butter but It is her way of sharing herself with the world. She says that when a painting is sold I feel that someone has understood me. Madhuri has to her credit severas exhibitions, her latest one is on at the Oberoi's Art Walk. Her paintings have won her laurels and accolades. She has to her claim the prestigious Outstanding Calcuttans Award, the Bharat Nirman Award and the Outstanding Young Indian by the All India Junior Chamber of Jaycees. She has graduated from the Spastic Society of Eastern India with a degree in Commerce. Her Diploma in Computer Application makes her as competent as any other individual and also assists in her art. She is currently employed by a software application firm, Infar, as a junior executive. She is an arduous fan of the Bollywood hero Shahrukh Khan. King Khan only competes with a scrumptious chocolate bar to put a smile on her face. Madhuri is steadfast about living her life independently. Her battle with fate and her triumph over ¡t is a lesson in courage and determination. Is it ironic that or someone who is rendered immobile can move people so deeply. TRUE DETERMINATION By Jasmine Shah Varma |
 Madhuri Kapur is no ordinary artist. Sheis
a thorougb professional who presents her visiting card to a new acquaintance
and persuades for further correspondence. On her card one reads her
designatíon of systems executive (computer programming), bosides the
other necessary information.All this seems routino until one considers that Madhuri is born spastic. Both her arms and speech are disabied. But her determination has seen hor through severa¡ hurdies during the 30 ypars of her life .She has undertaken diploma in computer applications and is an export in programming. Other than carning a living through developing computer programmes she has a penchant for painting. An exhibition of her paintings is on at Art Walk, Oberoi. The hotel has sponsored her show and stay. Madhuri's life is dependent on the headpointer with which she uses to tap the computer keyboard and paint as woli. Madhuri has mastered the use of the head pointer which also heips her communicate. Whatever she wants to say she keys into the computer. As for her emotions, they are brought out through her watercolour paintings. She says, "l paint my feelings." Madhuri is a self-taught painter and has been creating images of nature since the age of 10 years. Flowers, leavos, landscapes in bright colours make vibrant images. When asked what she wants to portray through hor paintings, Madhuri says, "my expressions from within." This show is not her first. She has exhibited her work in the past and won the Presidential first award in painting, was adjudged as one of the 10 outstanding young lndians (1995) and was honoured with Bharat Nirman Award in 1999. Madhuri's efforts and the strength of her will state one thing - one's disabiiity is in the mind. Says Madhuri, "l want to prove to the worid that disability can never curb ones will to succeed." [email protected] |