Needle Man’s unique gift to Prime Minister

Gagan K Teja

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 6

Narendra Modi is my favourite leader. So, when I got an opportunity to meet him, it was like a dream come true for me. The kind of appreciation and respect he gave me is something I will treasure all my life.

Patiala artist Arun Bajaj, who is popular as “Needle Man”, could not have asked for more when he personally gifted his Narendra Modi embroidery work to the PM. It took Arun six months to finish the work and he finally handed it over to Modi at New Delhi recently.

Speaking to Patiala Tribune, the 34-year-old said he wanted to make a career with his painting brush and colours, but destiny pushed him towards sewing machine and threads. However, he did not give up and ended up making a perfect mix of his passion and obligation.

Arun had made it to the India Book of Records for his unique Lord Krishna embroidery work. He was passionate about painting since childhood and wanted to be a world-renowned painter. However, following the death of his father, who was a tailor, he had to take over his father’s shop. His brush made way for sewing machines and needles.

Soon, he started experimenting with needle and thread. With his will and practice, he became a master at making colourful embroideries using a sewing machine. His unique technique earned him the moniker ‘Needle Man.’ One can rarely judge if his works was a painting or embroidery.