Surat: A visual arts student at Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU), who is from Dang, turned personal experience into powerful artistic expression to highlight the poor condition of a govt-run hostel. Pratik Khurkutiya recently won the Tata Trusts’ Students’ Biennale National Award 2025-26 for his project, “The Quiet Beneath The Rubble”, showcased at The Students’ Biennale, part of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale in Kochi.“At the time of admission to the Pujya Thakkarbapa Govt Boys Hostel, I was told that the building was damaged and that if anything happened, the administration should not be held responsible. That registered in my mind, and I used to notice all damaged parts carefully to avoid getting hurt,” Pratik said. During his three-year stay at the hostel, he observed multiple structural problems and even witnessed window hoods falling. He eventually shifted to MSU at the start of his final year. “I tried to show how the damaged building looks from the perspective of a person living in it, so that it can be repaired before anyone gets injured. The paintings show damaged parts, and I tried to convey the fragile structure through the sculpture,” he explained. His artwork was displayed during the three-month-long exhibition, where he was counted among the most appreciated student artists. Tribal students from Dang rarely make it to the MSU Faculty of Fine Arts, and Pratik’s recognition stands out further as his work was selected from entries across the country. The son of a retired peon, Pratik began drawing portraits during his school days. He opted for science in Class 12, believing it would help him stay focused on studies, before clearing the MSU entrance exam and securing admission to the Bachelor of Visual Arts programme. He completed the four-year course and now plans to pursue postgraduation. “My parents shifted to Ahwa from our village to ensure better education for me and my siblings. No one around me was interested in visual arts, but from a young age I was drawn to portraits, and that shaped my career choice,” Pratik said. He believes art remains one of the most effective ways to reflect social realities and bring attention to neglected aspects of everyday life.
