In today’s world, a selfie can quickly tell someone else what we are feeling, or who we think we are at any given time. The artist is Preeti Pawar. She is trying to know herself better by drawing and sketching. She chooses the keyboard over ink when she is not in the ring for training purposes.
For Preeti, 20 years old waif girl and youngest member of Indian boxing team her career may seem as a hobby or an outlet to relieve stress.
It could have been just fun or exercise but now it defines her life. Preity shyly smiled then nodded that boxing was her choice.
In fact, this Indian family pressure-a stereotype for these Asian parts–made Preeti choose one. She did well in Mayham’s school; however, my uncle chose sports and boxing path for me. Her parents didn’t find anything wrong with advise from their elders so did their daughter. So now she is in artist´s city participating at Olympics for the first time. “Abhi toh Ring hi dekhenge, Paris kabhi aur. Haan, agar podium aa gaya toh shayad city mein ghoomne jaayenge” (It’s all about the boxing ring now. If medal comes then I might go for a city tour) said ringing before her task.
Preeti likes keeping her sketches away from anyone else except few people who are close to her like a personal diary that only select members have access to at any time.. Double request – out Saarbrücken meetingIn Germany where they had spent a month in practice before Paris –any attempt to show any pictures other than those with quiet smile that means rejection led nowhere.
“Okay I can give it you through whatsapp but my phone is with coach… this is how social media becomes my training,” she replied.
What Preeti has done most though are sketches that showed young Atra TahoorThe women’s team physiotherapist showed us a sketch. The intern and coach duo later showed her a picture she had drawn for Nikhat Zareen some months back plus the gift. This poster with massive crescent moon – perhaps even a minaret, if you like- painted in black ink on white background – is wishing the team top brass during Eid Mubarak surprise! “This was at the Turkish airport. We were waiting to return to India and it was Eid and Nikhat couldn’t celebrate with her family, so I thought I would wish her this way. This is on behalf of the entire team,” said Preeti.
Preeti also sketches until she goes to Paris during her free time. “ Because It’s social media or surfing for others . Whenever I am free, I pick up my pen instead of anything else which helps me concentrate.”I drew a sketch of that Olympic torch. I’m very proud of it.I’ve stared at it so many times.Helps me stay focused before the Olympics,” she said.
There is only one question that we cannot but ask ourselves: in what way plectrum will Preeti take Nishant Dev, a young boy that grows alongside jasmine lamblia, and who else do you think is a member of the same team? They all come from Haryana with their education being received by girls in Bhiwani as the sport was started by Dev in Karnal. When you see him on the street, it’s difficult to imagine that this 71kg boxer ever used his powerful fists to deliver knockout punches on tough seasoned coach, Jai Patil during an intense boxing session.
The Armymen always call him “Solid Mata Hai”, Powerful Sea Fist,” said Pune army coach, with pride barely hidden in his voice; over here only teachers have special coaches.
But when he takes off his gloves, one would be forgiven for thinking that this trendy spectacled guy is just some urbanite with a carefree attitude. Many instances at sports camp campus Its Saarbrücken near about During such walk pasts of Dev where you feel like this Indian-ish easygoing young man has just passed right beside you, like somebody dressed up for casual Friday at some young startup..
Does Preeti in her painting consider her teammate as a quietly strong and still fierce boxer who has been rising so fast that she can knock down physically imposing trainer Patil like a punching bag? Is it this photo or is it that quiet almost decadent looking young man someone could take a picture with?
