No Paint, No Glue, Just Purpose : Berhampur Students Create PM Modi’s Portrait Using Only Discarded Cloth
In an age dominated by digital art and instant creativity, a group of students in Berhampur, Odisha, chose patience over pixels and purpose over convenience. Using nothing but waste cloth, needle, and thread, students of JD Institute of Fashion Technology created a striking portrait of Prime Minister Narendra Modi without using glue, paint, or artificial colour. Titled Fabric of Respect, the artwork stands not just as a portrait but as a symbol of sustainable thinking and disciplined creativity rooted in India’s cultural ethos. Measuring six feet by five feet and weighing countless hours of effort, the portrait has drawn attention across Odisha and beyond, highlighting how education can blend art, environmental awareness, and social values into one powerful expression.Odisha’s Artistic Legacy Meets a New GenerationOdisha has long been celebrated for its artistic traditions, from temple sculptures and Pattachitra paintings to sand art and intricate rangoli. Artists from the state have often portrayed national leaders through unique mediums, carrying forward a legacy of innovation with cultural pride. The Berhampur students’ work fits seamlessly into this tradition while also pushing its boundaries. Instead of brushes or pigments, they chose discarded fabric as their medium. Instead of shortcuts, they relied on hand-stitching. Their choice reflects a conscious shift toward sustainability, proving that modern creativity does not need to abandon tradition to be relevant.Fabric of Respect: Art Born From WasteThe portrait was created entirely from waste fabric collected from tailoring shops and sewing centres across Berhampur. What others discarded, the students saw as potential. Every scrap of cloth was carefully selected, cleaned, cut, ironed, and stitched to form the final image. According to institute officials, this is the first artwork in India of such scale made purely from fabric, without glue or colours. The name Fabric of Respect captures both the literal material used and the emotion behind the artwork. It is a tribute stitched together by admiration, patience, and youthful determination.A Journey of 20 Days and Countless HoursThe project began on December 14 and was completed on January 3, taking nearly 20 days of intensive work. Three student teams worked in close coordination. One team focused on collecting discarded fabric from across the city. The second team prepared the material by cutting and ironing it into usable pieces. The third team took on the most demanding task: arranging and stitching the fabric pieces onto the canvas to create depth, balance, and clarity. Students devoted eight to ten hours daily to the project, even during their examination period. For many, it meant late nights, tired hands, and unwavering focus. Yet, the exhaustion never outweighed the excitement of watching the portrait slowly come alive.Precision, Patience, and Cultural DetailExplaining the creative process, student Suprava Patra shared that the canvas was first outlined with the Prime Minister’s facial structure. The surface was then divided into sections based on colour tones and shadows. Fabric pieces were cut into pixel-sized bits and stitched meticulously to match each section. Every detail mattered. The spectacle frame, beard, facial contours, and expressions were highlighted using subtle fabric tones rather than colour contrasts. Sambalpuri sarees were extensively used, adding a strong cultural identity to the artwork and paying homage to Odisha’s textile heritage. Even the lettering was created through embossing techniques, ensuring that no artificial material entered the frame.Recognition From Leaders and EducatorsThe artwork was unveiled in the presence of Berhampur MLA K. Anil Kumar, who praised the students for redefining the purpose of design education. He described Fabric of Respect as more than an artwork, calling it a lesson in discipline, sustainability, and social responsibility. The MLA also acknowledged the contribution of Ashish Ranjan Sabat, Director of the institute. Sabat explained that the portrait reflects the younger generation’s admiration for Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and India’s progress, channeled through a responsible and creative medium.Redefining Creativity in a Digital AgeAt a time when creativity is often reduced to screens and software, these Berhampur students chose a slower, more thoughtful path. Their work reminds us that true art is not just about technique but intention. Fabric of Respect stands as a powerful example of how waste can be transformed into meaning, how teamwork can shape vision, and how education can inspire responsibility. In every stitched fragment of cloth, the portrait carries a message of respect for leadership, respect for resources, and respect for the timeless values that bind creativity to conscience.
