Praised by PM Modi in his Mann Ki Baat, Bijay, a former Indian Railways employee turned freelance artist, has showcased his art in international exhibitions in Denmark, Russia, and many other countries. He received a national award in 2008 and was also felicitated in Istanbul for his watercolors.

Bijay Biswaal is a self-taught painting artist who previously worked for the Indian Railways before pursuing his passion as a freelance artist. He decided to leave his job to fully embrace his identity as an artist.

Currently residing in Nagpur, he originally hails from Odisha. His railways job led to his posting in Nagpur, where he has lived ever since.

From a young age, Bijay displayed a natural inclination towards art, despite having no artists in his family. He recalls spending his childhood sketching and drawing, finding joy in creative expression. Even before knowing what artists were, he would draw on various surfaces, including car windows covered in dust, showcasing his innate artistic talent.

Bijay's decision to pursue art professionally was influenced by his lifelong passion for creative expression. Today, he travels to different countries, participating in competitions and inspiring fellow artists with his unique creations.

In his childhood, Bijay and his siblings would sit near the ‘chulha’, where he would experiment with the coal from the burning wood to create beautiful things. Despite being a mediocre student in school, he excelled in painting. His friends' praise validated his talent, bringing him immense joy.

Bijay finds validation important, as it motivates him to create more artwork. He believes that when people appreciate his work, it inspires him to produce more paintings and art. He distinguishes between two types of art: representational and abstract. Bijay specializes in representational art, and he works with various mediums. His style is highly distinctive, to the extent that art lovers can recognize his work without seeing his signature.

Bijay recounts an incident from 1990 when he had been working as a ticket examiner in Nagpur for about a decade. During the time of his railways job, many people doubted his ability to pursue art alongside it. However, Bijay remained determined to continue his artistic pursuits. One day, while waiting for a delayed train, he was captivated by the scene of people moving around. Inspired by this, he took out his painting kit and created a watercolor painting of the scene. He later replicated this painting on a large canvas using acrylics and showcased it at an art festival in Pune. The painting received significant recognition and was sold. This event marked a turning point for Bijay, motivating him to fully commit to his artistic journey. Since around 2012, he has dedicated himself to his art without looking back.

Bijay's fascination with wet railway platforms led him to create a unique genre of paintings, which he named 'Wet Platform.' He has produced numerous paintings depicting wet platforms. In Chhattisgarh, he is known as 'Painter Babu' due to his notable paintings on the region.

He expresses his appreciation for the Indian Railways and rural life through his artwork. Utilizing social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, he gained significant exposure and recognition. He credits social media for aiding in his growth as an artist. Later on, he decided to diversify his artistic themes by depicting ancient India, including series like Vanvaas, Shiva Ki Baraat, and Mahabharat. These artworks, created on large canvases, garnered attention and were widely sold.

Reflecting on his childhood, Bijay recalls being an above-average student. Although he pursued an MA in Political Science and an LLB degree, his true passion lay in art. He reluctantly pursued LLB at his father's insistence, despite his lack of interest in law.

Born in Pallahara, Angul district, Odisha, he reminisces about his early school days when Fridays meant a drawing class in the final period. This was the highlight of the week for him, and he eagerly awaited it. He not only worked on his own drawings but also helped his classmates with theirs, feeling drawn to art like a magnet.

In Pallahara, art supplies were scarce, limited to only Camel poster colors, and drawing paper was a luxury. Undeterred, he improvised by using the backs of white boxes from his father's medicine store as canvas. He began honing his skills by sketching portraits of film stars, gradually mastering the art form.

During his college years, he delved deeper into the world of art, exploring techniques like watercolors and various other mediums. He took a keen interest in the subject, importing art books from London to expand his knowledge. His fascination with art extended to practical applications, as he began creating sign boards for shops. Despite his parents' disapproval, he persisted, even crafting sign boards for his father's medicine store and others in the area.

Although his parents were initially against him making signboards, his passion outweighed their objections. He even created a poster for Amitabh Bachchan's movie "Mahan," which garnered significant attention in his village. Reflecting on his upbringing, he feels grateful for the freedom he had to fully immerse himself in his childhood experiences.

Talking about his role models, he says he draws inspiration from various artists across different fields, specifically mentioning Imraan and Raja Ravi Verma as his top influences. Notably, he expresses a strong affinity for calendar art.

During the period between 2000 and 2010, he harbored a deep interest in becoming a cartoonist, and his passion bore international recognition as his cartoons were featured in countries like Brazil, Denmark, Russia, Ukraine, and Iran. This led to numerous awards for his work in cartooning, drawing inspiration from the renowned Indian cartoonist and illustrator R.K. Laxman. Additionally, he expresses admiration for actor Shahrukh Khan.

Finding solace in Robert Frost's poetry, he resonates deeply with the verse: "The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep." This verse serves as a wellspring of comfort during challenging times. He also finds resonance in Shahrukh Khan's quote, "Picture abhi baaki hai," which serves as a constant reminder that his best is yet to come.

Reflecting on his struggles, he shares his perspective of viewing challenges as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. However, he recalls a time during his employment as a ticket checker when he faced insensitive remarks from strangers who were unaware of his artistic talents, an experience that deeply affected him due to his sensitivity.

Furthermore, he acknowledges that establishing credibility as a self-taught artist has been a struggle for him.

Highlighting his achievements, he says he takes joy in creating paintings for himself, which he exhibits in art galleries. He expresses pride in the fact that both national and international clients appreciate and purchase his artwork. Notably, he received a national award in 2008 and was recognized in Istanbul, Turkey, for his work in the watercolor medium. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him during the 'Mann Ki Baat' program on July 26, 2015, for his contributions in celebrating Indian Railways.

He also shares his international experiences, having worked in art galleries in Denmark and Russia, as well as participating in events in Qatar, Nepal, and Mauritius. He finds fulfillment in inspiring people through his art on these international platforms.

His advice for painting enthusiasts is to paint for the sheer joy of it, rather than solely as a profession. He emphasizes that a painting is not just a commercial product but a luxury item, as it represents not only the artwork but also a piece of the artist.

Moreover, he underscores the importance of nurturing one's artistic personality, believing that the transition to making painting a profession happens naturally when this aspect is prioritized, without solely focusing on earning from it. He advocates that prioritizing learning leads to financial success, while chasing money often hinders personal growth.

Addressing the youth of the country, he encourages them to pursue their passions, even if it means choosing unconventional paths like carpentry over engineering. He urges them to explore the myriad opportunities available in the field of art and to utilize social media as a platform to showcase their talents to the world, rather than seeking instant gratification.