Reaching for the skies

22-year-old Saurabh Shingrup is a jack of all. A qualified pilot, an artist as well as a karate black belt, he believes life is full of opportunities

For some people life is full of opportunities with multiple interests and aims. Saurabh Shingrup, a resident of Vasant Utsav, is one of them. Besides being a qualified pilot, Saurabh has a passion for painting and trains many under privileged karate enthusiasts. He is also completing Bachelor in Science degree from Mumbai University and Bachelor in technology from Karnataka University. In a talk with Cityplus, he shares about his interests for multiple fields.

Guided by genius
As a child I was very shy. I hardly had friends and had a fear to express myself. I was very poor at studies as well. I hated maths and I flunked in class IX but one of my teachers, Yigal Banker from Thakur Vidya Mandir helped me to overcome my shyness. It was a turning point in my life. Bankar sir would spend extra time and teach me as well. He is an amazing teacher, from 40 per cent marks my percentage shot up to 82 per cent in class X. Also during this phase, I had the opportunity to spend three months at the Raigad Military School, where I got an exposure to various other extracurricular activities. These experiences have greatly shaped my life.

Flying colours
I use to stay in Air India colony and aeroplanes passing over my building always fascinated me. I wanted to fly them so after completing my studies, I went to United States and completed one-year course in flying. I plan to take up a job as a pilot very soon.
Like flying, I also enjoy painting. I have inherited this form of art from my mother, who is an avid painter. But I do not do oil paintings or canvas paintings. My art includes more of using colour pencils and paper. Also a number of my artwork resembles geometry forms. At times I can paint continuously for more than five hours and I choose my colours depending on my mood. The happy days will have more of bright colours, while the sad days have dark colours.
Though my subjects differ, there are a couple of works that are close to my heart. One artwork is the one that presents the various mental and emotional stages of a girl child. In another artwork, I have tried to express every stage of my grand mothers’ life who passed away due to cancer. I have depicted her life in small forms of artwork.

Classy passion
Art is generally associated with elite class. I come from middle class and have equal passion for art. Despite this interest, I have failed to gain support and guidance from established painters. I feel I need guidance to enhance my artwork. I am sure there may be many youngsters like me who would have inclination towards art, but would not get proper guidance.

Teaching the needy
Since my teacher selflessly taught me and helped me grow as a person. I also want to teach people who are interested in karate and art. I have a black belt in karate and I teach many underprivileged students for free at the institute. My instructor also helps me in training them. Money is secondary to me, I want to as many people as I can.
In the long run I wish to have an institute where people of my age can pursue any extracurricular activity they wish. The institute will provide the training from experts in respective help.

Living life to fullest
I feel we just have one life and each one of us should experience what we believe in. Following a mundane life, just because others are living in a same fashion does not appeal me. It’s experiences of life that is the most important thing.