Driven by a vision to make art meaningful, 29-time world record holder and sketch artist Indraneel Mazumdar combines creative expression with social impact. Through his art and world-record projects, he highlights human values while inspiring others to find their purpose, stay selfless, and make a difference.

29-time world record holder and sketch artist Indraneel Mazumdar works as the Chief Creative Officer (CCO) at Kapil Jain & Associates (KJA), Indore, Madhya Pradesh, while pursuing his passion for aviation by training for a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).

At the young age of 16, during the COVID-19 lockdown, Mazumdar sketched around 3,700 portraits of frontline workers within 21 days. He was supported by multiple Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), Inspectors General of Police (IGPs), and Traffic Inspectors (TIs), whom he personally met to collect information and photographs within four to five days of beginning the record attempt.

Describing the creation of a 100-foot mural inspired by the concept of Karma Yoga from the Bhagavad Gita for a world record attempt, Indraneel Mazumdar shares that he has designed his world records as a sequence, beginning with the art of forgiveness. He explains that each record is structured into three segments: ‘The Art’, ‘The Story of the Art’, and ‘The World Record of the Story of the Art’.

Elaborating on the concept, Mazumdar shares that for the theme of ‘Daya’ (compassion), one of the 16 qualities mentioned in the Karma Yoga of the Gita, he drew inspiration from a story from Sikh history. To convey this quality through a pictorial representation, he chose the story of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Explaining the story further, he shares that whenever Guru Gobind Singh Ji went into battle, he carried a sense of guilt about taking the lives of his opponents. To express compassion even towards those on the opposing side, he would tie a certain amount of gold to his arrows. The gold could then be retrieved by their people and used for the last rites of the deceased, as well as to provide financial support to their families back home.

Reflecting on this idea, Indraneel Mazumdar shares that he is happy to take the first step towards bringing about change, with the belief that the feeling of forgiveness may not come easily but can gradually develop over time.

Further detailing the artwork, he explains that the mural will be made using stone, reinforcing bars, and modelling materials, which will be shaped to depict arrows and the movement of a character within the 100-foot artwork. He adds that the mural will also be the world’s largest mural artwork ever created.

Likewise, for the feeling of ‘Patience’, Indraneel Mazumdar connects the story of Ram Setu with the art of practising patience. Elaborating on the story, he explains that Lord Ram observed penance for three days in the hope of finding a way across the ocean to reach Sita Maa. Although he knew that Sita Maa was being held captive by demons, he remained patient and waited for the right course of action.

The story also showcases how patience, along with everyone’s contribution, helped pave the way across the ocean through the creation of Ram Setu. Hence, the story of patience will be depicted through stone art in the southern part of the country, which Mazumdar shares will also be the world’s largest stone artwork.

Moving ahead with a larger vision for the project, Indraneel Mazumdar shares that there are 16 such world records that he aims to achieve in collaboration with different artists across the nation.

Informing everyone that it is an open-to-all project, he shares that it is scheduled to begin in September, around Janmashtami, with multiple collaborators coming together for the initiative.

Talking about some of his recognisable achievements, singer and musician Indraneel shares that, alongside practising sketching and creating artwork, he has also explored music with keen interest. Having developed a passion for singing from a young age, he gained recognition after winning Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs in 2016 as the Madhya Pradesh winner.

He credits his school, Mount Litera Zee School, for giving him the opportunity to explore and showcase his talent through the five wildcard entries it organises every year. Coming from a family with a musical background, he was further encouraged to pursue and explore his interest in music.

Talking further about his achievements, Creative Artist Indraneel Mazumdar shares that, apart from the first world record mentioned earlier, he has created a world record for Shreya Ghoshal and another for B Praak, along with 11 world records for Yo Yo Honey Singh.

He has also worked on multiple projects with celebrities and collaborated with the BSF on a world record aimed at training visually and hearing-impaired children to create artworks. Through this initiative, his aim was to connect with children with disabilities, understand their abilities and experiences, and highlight how soldiers contribute to supporting and rescuing people in challenging situations.

Taking this initiative further, Mazumdar created a typographical Braille-script artwork that enabled visually impaired participants to experience the artwork and understand its story through Braille text.

His motive was to connect with human psychology and highlight that anyone who can understand something can also express and explain it in their own way, which, for him, is a form of artistry. He believes that, in one way or another, every person is an artist.

Building on this perspective, Mazumdar believes that people with disabilities possess abilities that are often overlooked. He explains that individuals who cannot see may develop heightened sensory awareness, which can help them perceive and express their experiences in unique ways through art.

His experience with the initiative further deepened this belief, as Mazumdar shares that the Deaf Lingual School supported him in taking the cause forward. Among the participating children were also a few families in which both the child and the parents were deaf.

Reflecting on the artwork created by the students, Mazumdar observes that their work was highly expressive and demonstrated a strong ability to communicate through art.

In contrast, he points out that a person with typical vision, hearing, and speech may have different abilities, but the way these children expressed themselves through their artwork offered a different perspective on the power of artistic expression.

This, Mazumdar explains, further opens up the possibility of a person becoming a skilled orator—someone who can narrate a story with clarity and emotion. For him, the ability to understand, express, and connect through emotions was one of the key purposes behind conducting the project.

Looking ahead to his upcoming projects, Indraneel Mazumdar shares that he plans to make a second attempt at creating a world record with visually impaired children, this time exploring one of the 16 Kalaas, specifically Maya Kalaa, or Illusion.

He envisions creating the first-ever world record on a full stadium-sized canvas, an ambitious project that is planned for this year and is expected to take around two to three months to complete.

Further discussing the value of an artistic profession, Mazumdar shares that artists are often asked what they do professionally apart from being artists. He believes it is high time people recognised that being an artist is a profession in itself, just like being an architect or pursuing any other professional career.

Artist Indraneel feels that, in such a scenario, it becomes important for artists to identify their target audience—people who genuinely value and appreciate their art. He believes that artists are often more appreciated within artistic circles than in other professional sectors, making it essential for them to connect with the right audience and find spaces where their work is understood and valued.

He also shares that it is practically challenging for an artist to establish themselves completely in a country like India. While people do appreciate artistic work, he believes that putting it into practice and creating a sustainable professional space for oneself remains the greater challenge.

Born in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, Indraneel Mazumdar shares that he moved to Nagpur within the first six months of his birth and later spent some time in Mumbai and Kolkata due to his father’s business.

He completed his primary schooling at Mount Litera Zee School, Indore. Alongside his artistic pursuits, his interest in aviation has also shaped his aspirations, and he is currently training for a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).

Talking about what inspired him to enter the field of artistry, Indraneel Mazumdar shares that his artistic journey began while he was studying at Mount Litera Zee School (MLZS), Indore. During a Science period, his classmate and class monitor, Prerna, was conducting a monitoring session in which students were expected to remain focused on the whiteboard.

However, he was caught drawing a portrait of Rabindranath Tagore. Although his class teacher appreciated the drawing, he was also scolded for drawing during class.

Coincidentally, around the same time, he had an encounter with his drawing teacher, Deepika Sen Ma’am, who entered the classroom to announce an inter-school drawing competition. Mazumdar decided to participate and went on to win the competition. Following this achievement, he continued creating portraits and small live-sketching projects, including sketches of his farmhouse. This gave him the motivation and a reason to continue pursuing his passion for art.

Drawing from the figures who have shaped his artistic vision and outlook, both in life and work, Indraneel Mazumdar considers Lord Krishna to be one of his inspirations. He admires Lord Krishna not merely for his powers but more for his wisdom, knowledge, and teachings.

His admiration for Lord Krishna also finds expression in his art, as Mazumdar shares that the biggest project of his life, which took him six years to complete, was based on the life of Lord Krishna.

Explaining further, Indraneel Mazumdar shares that in the Bhagavad Gita, Karma Yoga encompasses various descriptions of Lord Krishna’s qualities, which he has explored through his artwork. Among these, he highlights 16 forms or qualities of Krishna that, according to him, contribute to making a person complete, including kindness, forgiveness, and patience.

Elaborating on these qualities, Mazumdar reflects on the idea of forgiveness, questioning how forgiveness itself can be considered an art. He adds that the forgiveness Lord Krishna speaks about extends to all forms of life, making it not merely an act but a quality that one can cultivate and practise in everyday life.

Sharing another aspect of his admiration for Lord Krishna, Mazumdar says that Lord Krishna gives him a reason to learn from life. Despite being the Supreme Soul and knowing everything, Krishna makes decisions based on the circumstances of the present moment.

He believes that Krishna teaches one to make decisions while enduring pain and facing challenging circumstances. Therefore, Mazumdar feels that one must learn from Lord Krishna the art of living—making bold decisions while understanding and accepting the circumstances.

Reflecting on the thought that continues to inspire him, sketch artist Indraneel Mazumdar shares a self-written quote: “Obsolete, but not done yet.” Explaining its meaning, Mazumdar says that it reflects the idea that although something may no longer be considered useful or needed, it is not yet finished. He feels that, with time, certain things may seem no longer relevant, but that does not mean they have lost their value; instead, they can become classics.

Explaining this with an example, Mazumdar feels that although we have many lessons to learn from books, they may lack real-life teachings that can help us understand how to face certain situations. Referring to his own life experience, Mazumdar shares that he currently creates pop art, while realism may become more prominent tomorrow, and something else may emerge in the future. He feels that moving ahead of something and moving along with something are two different things.

Mazumdar feels that this is something that should be carried forward for the sake of our parents, to hold on to our relationships and preserve everything that we believe should not lose its value.

He also believes that our parents have a better understanding of decision-making and how to navigate life, something that the younger generation is still learning. Therefore, one should share everything with their parents, as they can serve as role models, and open communication with them can help resolve many of our worries.

Mazumdar says, “Everything you do out of the ordinary is a story waiting to be told.” Explaining further, he shares that doing something beyond the ordinary, despite challenging circumstances, becomes a story in itself. Whether it is artistry, medicine, engineering, or storytelling, some things may appear almost impossible, but they are never truly beyond possibility.

Reflecting on one of the most difficult phases of his life, Mazumdar shares that in June 2023, after returning from Pune following his exams and while working towards a world record attempt, his mother suffered her fourth heart attack.

Amid the uncertainty, he, along with his siblings, rushed her to several hospitals before finally taking her to Kokilaben Hospital. There, she was revived after 23 minutes of CPR, at a time when Mazumdar was beginning to lose hope of seeing his mother again.

At the same time, Mazumdar shares that while his mother was in the hospital, an introductory feature on his 16 world record attempts was covered by News18 in the hospital dormitory.

This led to two questions being raised by people: first, how could he continue working while his mother was suffering, and second, whether he was more interested in his work than concerned about his mother. These were the questions Mazumdar had to face during that difficult time.

Reflecting on the difficult situation, Mazumdar shares that he had to navigate two different responsibilities—supporting his family while also continuing to focus on his work. He feels that his determination to work, both then and today, comes from considering his world record initiatives to be as important as his mother.

For Mazumdar, the initiative of working on the 16 values of ‘Karma’ itself is more important than the world record, as he believes that if he does not become deeply passionate about an initiative and give it his all, it will never be completed.

Beyond these challenges, Mazumdar also reflects on the challenges associated with money. He believes that once money starts coming in, the desire for more can continue to grow, creating a cycle that becomes increasingly difficult to control. This perspective is also reflected in how he approached his art during the lockdown.

With limited resources and difficulty arranging basic sketching materials such as pens and paper, he chose to make the most of what was available. He collected blank pages from practical science notebooks and used them for his sketches.

Although he initially doubted whether he would even be able to complete 200 portraits, he continued working with whatever resources he had. Eventually, his efforts led him to successfully complete 3,700 portraits using the abstract pop art method.

Reflecting on these experiences, Indraneel Mazumdar says that although there have been many struggles in life, sharing and listening to those struggles can be valuable. However, he believes that thinking ahead and deciding what to do next is more important in life, as the ability to look beyond challenges and plan the way forward is also a mark of a mature individual.

Talking about his recent experience of visiting a crematorium while witnessing the last rites of his school teacher, Mazumdar shares that he read a quote saying, “मरते वक्त कपड़े और गहने सब यहीं रह जाते हैं; ये मुर्दे के पास भी होते हैं और जीवित के पास भी। साथ चलता है तो सिर्फ़ कर्म, जो लोगों की यादों में बसता है।”

Building on this thought, Indraneel Mazumdar shares that while one may work to meet material needs, at least 20% of one’s efforts should be dedicated to social work and the welfare of others. He believes that contributing to society brings a different kind of satisfaction—one that comes from knowing that our efforts are helping others.

Taking this thought forward, Mazumdar shares that at the age of 22, whatever he knows and understands at present is enough for him, while he remains open to learning and growing with time.

He acknowledges that what he believes today may not be entirely correct tomorrow, but for now, he feels that staying true to what he thinks and understands in the present is what matters most.

Adding to this experience, Mazumdar shares another incident that deeply reflects the value of relationships and support. During an emergency, when there was a lack of funds for his mother’s treatment, his cousin stepped in and helped him by transferring the required amount.

When Mazumdar’s sister later asked him about it, his cousin recalled that, during his childhood, Mazumdar’s mother had once helped him with a science project that was very important to him at the time. He then said that if she was facing a similar life-and-death situation today, why shouldn’t he help her?

Reflecting on this story, Indraneel Mazumdar believes that, whatever the circumstances in life, one should remember that the present moment holds its own importance. Things may change with time, and what feels right today may look different tomorrow, but that should not stop us from doing what is important today and giving it our best.

Conveying a message to those aspiring to enter the field, Creative Head Indraneel Mazumdar emphasises the importance of finding one’s purpose and continually questioning it. He believes that while there are several fine arts schools and institutes where one can learn the technical aspects of art, the art that comes from the heart cannot be taught in any classroom.

For Mazumdar, whether it is about serving a purpose in society or doing something that benefits others, it does not always require formal training but rather a clear aim and the determination to achieve it. He says that when one is clear about their aim and how they wish to give back to society, the process itself gradually shapes and builds the individual.

Adding to this thought, Indraneel Mazumdar says that an artwork does not necessarily have to be beautiful; what matters is its ability to express the meaning and emotions behind it. For him, art is subjective, and therefore, comparing one artwork with another has no value, as every piece of art is precious in its own way.

Also, anyone interested in exploring his artistic work and insights can follow his social media page, @indraneel_mazumdar_official, and reach out to him directly through the contact details available there.

Conveying a message to youngsters, Mazumdar shares that there have been times when he himself felt the need for support, especially when it came to communicating with people and approaching them for work.

Elaborating on this, he points out that several things have changed in the professional world compared to earlier times. Whether it is approaching PR professionals and talent management companies or reaching out to people for collaborations, many such opportunities can now be explored more easily through social media and other platforms.

Taking his message beyond the younger generation, Mazumdar believes that everyone should strive to be selfless in life and that success can also come from thinking about and contributing to the well-being of others.

He encourages people to understand the meaning behind any trend they choose to follow, even when it comes to a protest. Rather than following something simply because it is trending, he believes one should understand its purpose and stand for it with consistency and conviction. Above all, he emphasises the importance of being selfless and using one’s efforts to make a meaningful difference.