From Broken Dreams to Brushstrokes: A Journey of Resilience

How Childhood Struggles and Rejections Fueled My Path to Becoming a Self-Made Artist and Mentor

The year was when I had just completed my matriculation at the age of 13—far earlier than most—thanks to early admission. Even at that young age, my heart was set on pursuing art, a passion I had nurtured since childhood.

I was well-known in my school and family for my handwriting, artistic skills, and my colorful, intricate models of buildings. Books and magazines fascinated me, fueling my curiosity about people, places, cultures, and artistic expressions. It was clear to me—I wanted to study arts.

But life had different plans.

When I shared my dreams, my aunt—who was responsible for me—became furious. She tore away all my collections of art materials and threw them in the dustbin, shattering my dreams in an instant. To her, a "respectable life" meant engineering or medicine, professions that promised financial stability. Creativity, in her eyes, had no value.

I was devastated. I was raised in her house from the age of two and a half, away from my parents, who had moved to Bombay (now Mumbai). One of my aunts was polio-affected yet kind, knowledgeable, and a source of inspiration, while the other was controlling, authoritative, and rigid in her thinking. Unfortunately, she had the final say in my life.

Since my earliest memories, drawing, coloring, and creative expression had been my escape. A senior cousin, passionate about reading, unknowingly fueled my imagination by bringing books and magazines. My polio-affected aunt, though confined to a corner, taught me to read, write, and develop exceptional handwriting before I even started school. I spent my free time cutting out pictures of landscapes, cityscapes, buildings, and automobiles, dreaming of creating something extraordinary.

Yet, each time I collected something valuable to me, my caretaker aunt found and destroyed them, repeatedly crushing my spirit. I was too young to fight back, but deep inside, I made a promise to myself:

"One day, I will become a creative person, doing what I love—not what others dictate."

It took decades of struggle, disappointment, suffering, and endless objections before that dream became a reality.

But I never gave up.

Today, I stand as a self-made Artist, Architect, Photographer, and Filmmaker—all achieved through resilience, self-learning, and an unshakable belief in my creative journey.

And now, I have come full circle.

I spend my time painting WATERCOLOURS—a passion that truly fulfills me. Even more, I am sharing my knowledge and coaching others to achieve MASTERY IN WATERCOLOURS, helping them realize their creative dreams, no matter their age or life circumstances.

To all the dreamers out there—never let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do. Your passion is your power. Keep going!

💬 Have you ever faced a moment where someone tried to crush your dreams? How did you rise above it? Share your story in the comments!

#NeverGiveUp #FollowYourPassion #WatercolorMastery #CreativityUnleashed #ArtIsLife #DreamsComeTrue