ASI gets award for making portraits with ‘zarkan’

From a life of penury, where he earned a livelihood by making sketches, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Ashok Kumar has gained worldwide recognition for his excellence in creating portraits using American diamonds. Earlier this week, he was awarded a certificate of excellence by the World Book of Records in Dubai.

Ramdas Athawale, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment of India, presented the award to Ashok, who is the first artist to create ‘diamond’ portraits of icons that shimmer with life. Santosh Shukla, CEO, and Jitendra Matlani, president of the World Book of Records (Middle East), praised Kumar’s technique which blends craftsmanship with brilliance.

Ashok uses American diamonds, also locally known as ‘zarkan’, to give a sparkling impression to his portraits. These diamonds are not expensive, but shine a lot.

In 2019, Kumar set a world record by creating the largest painting (18ft x 12ft) of Guru Nanak Dev. In 2020, the Limca Book of Records recognised him for making miniature portraits (2.5cm x 2.5cm) of women pioneers in various fields and all Presidents of India.

Ashok, hailing from Ludhiana and currently posted in Jalandhar, used to be a temporary employee with the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation in the early 2000s. During President Abdul Kalam’s visit to Ludhiana in September 2003, Ashok had the opportunity to present a portrait to the President. Impressed by his work, Kalam awarded him Rs 20,000 and requested local officials to regularise his job. Kumar joined the Punjab Police as a constable a few months later.

“I feel I have special blessings from Guru Nanak Dev,” he added.