71-Year-Old Balaghat Mechanic Becomes Famous Artist with Coconut Shell Art

• Umesh Shrirang Leela, 71, from Balaghat, transformed from a bicycle mechanic to a renowned artist.
• During the COVID-19 lockdown, he turned his art and craft hobby into a new livelihood.
• He creates mesmerizing artworks like cups, kamandals, and Shivlings from coconut shells.
• Umesh sells his unique creations at local fairs, including Vidarbha's famous Kachargarh Fair, where they are in high demand.
• He buys coconuts, extracts the pulp, and then meticulously carves and designs the shells, taking about a day per piece.