“I come from an agricultural family. We would incur heavy losses and could barely make ends meet. 40 years ago the lake in our village dried up due to severe drought. We were on the verge of starvation. That’s when I came to Jammalamadugu for a livelihood. I did all kinds of odd jobs, from working as a daily wage labourer to a peon in a small company. I’ve seen everything change around here. I retired a few years ago, but out of passion, I took up a sculpting job in Gandikota. My only intention was to create beautiful carvings and not to seek recognition for my artwork. I wish to work and remain independent till my last breath. Both my children are happily married and my daughter is blessed with a baby boy as well. I have no regrets in life. No matter how hard life gets, we must find a way to triumph over the adversities and that can be made possible only if we believe in everything we do.”

#Art #Survival #Agriculture #Belief #Confindence #Passion #Watercrisis #Drought #Sculptor #Life #Independent #Work #Opportunity #Family #Andhra #HumansofAndhra