Manish Kundu, Balangir, Odisha
The world has witnessed an uncountable number of stories in which art has served as a healer.
Manish Kundu had spent just over two years in the Central Jail and four more in an open jail when he arrived at Karigaree to meet Ankur Banerjee. His only request was that a loom be set up at his home so that he could work and live a meaningful life.
Manish was convicted of theft in his early twenties, an incident he deeply regrets because it escalated quickly. Manish completed his education until the 10th grade at the Indira Gandhi Open School while incarcerated in the Odisha Central Jail. His two sons were raised by his in-laws.
Manish is now 47 years old, and he believes he has learned many life lessons about how to conduct oneself, and he hopes that others will learn it the easy way.
Weaving has given him a second chance in life, and he believes his most recent Ruchi (an artisan's original) titled Zindagi [Life] was inspired by Gandhi's works.