The iconic and historic Gol Gumbad is on sale, and the price is just about Rs. One lakh ! Fortunately, this Gol Gumbad is not built by Mohammad Adil Shah but by Mohammad Ishaq Aland of Bijapur city, a 67 year old art passionate who has built miniature models of the Gol Gumbad in wood.
Mr. Aland is arguably the first person in the country who began making miniature models of the ancient and magnificent monument in teak wood, and has inspired a few other artists since then.
Started his career as a carpenter at the age of 16, Mr. Aland said art was his passion and the job of a carpenter impressed him.
Having gained popularity of being the first person to make an uncanny resembling replica of the monument in wood, Mr. Aland said that the inspiration for making miniature model came in the form of challenge posed by his friends.
Recalling that incident, he said over two decades ago, a group of friends had been to Gol Gumbad for recreation. “ At that time, a few friends began praising the architects of Gol Gumbad and said that no one can even make a replica of this marvelous monuments, but told them that I will do it”,
Mr. Aland taking it as challenge, began working on the project by visiting the monument almost every day for noting down the intricacies of the monument on paper and later carving different sections in wood at home.
“With trial and error, it took me over 18 months to prepare the miniature model”, he said.
Mr. Aland said that the first model was purchased by the then Union Railway Minister, C. K. Jaffer Sharief by paying Rs. 1 lakh about two decades ago.
Since then, he has made about 15 different sized models and sold a few of them.
He regrets that artists like him have limited popularity, due to which they don’t get buyers. “ If we are given a platform by the government to exhibit the models, we too can have buyers”, he said.
Mr. Sujeet Nayan, the officer in-charge of the museum of Gol Gumbad said that a plan has been made to set up a souvenir shop inside the museum where the artists could sell their designs which would give earning and recognition to the artist.Courtesy:Karnataka Muslims
http://karnatakamuslims.com/portal/mohammad-replicates-historic-monuments-into-artwork/