Washington, DC: Arvind Kotha, an Indian American graphic artist has prepared a unique present for President Barack Obama’s 54th birthday on August 4th. The Indian American immigrant, who has lived in the United States since 2007, has created 54 sketches of the president, showcasing his many accomplishments while in office. Kotha said he tried to capture the mood and emotions of Obama as the president grapples with the many challenges of the nation.
“I have always been inspired by the president’s great courage and leadership,” said Kotha, who worked on this present for nine months. He has also contacted White House staff in an attempt to meet the president and personally present his work. In 2003, Kotha won a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for sketching for 108 hours (five days) straight, without even stopping to sleep. He was also awarded a place in India’s Limca Book of World Records that year.
In 2008, Kotha sketched continuously for 72 hours and presented several works to Chandrababu Naidu, chief minister of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Kotha has also released a book about India’s political leader Mahatma Gandhi, featuring 40 original sketches that chronicle Gandhi’s leadership in the struggle to free India from British rule. “Sketching is my passion. I try to create joy for people by presenting them with sketches on their birthdays and other special occasions,” Kotha explained.
