Bhubaneswar | August 2026
Md Saqib, a young artist from Odisha known for his passion for sketching and creative expression, has been honoured with the National Icon of Odisha Award 2026 in the Best Artist category. The award recognizes his artistic talent, dedication, and contribution to promoting creativity through art.
While many artists begin their journey under the guidance of professional mentors, Md Saqib’s path has been remarkably different. Without ever attending an art school or receiving formal training, he taught himself the craft through years of observation, determination, and relentless practice.
As a student, Saqib would closely observe classmates and friends who attended art classes, carefully studying their techniques before returning home to recreate and refine them on his own. What began as simple curiosity soon evolved into an enduring passion that would shape the course of his life.
Over nearly two decades of self-learning, thousands of hours of practice, and countless experiments through the trial-and-error method, he gradually mastered the fundamentals of drawing and painting while developing a distinctive artistic style that is uniquely his own. Every challenge, every imperfect sketch, and every failed attempt became a lesson that strengthened his artistic vision.
For Md Saqib, art has never been merely about creating visually appealing images—it has always been about storytelling.
Each sketch and painting he creates is driven by emotion, carrying a narrative that reflects personal experiences, human emotions, or social realities. Rather than simply portraying a subject, his artwork seeks to evoke feelings and encourage viewers to connect with the deeper meaning behind every stroke.
The road to recognition, however, was far from easy.
For nearly a decade, despite consistently participating in competitions and dedicating himself to improving his craft, Saqib did not receive a single award for his paintings. While repeated disappointments might have discouraged many, he chose to view every rejection as an opportunity to grow. Instead of questioning his passion, he refined his techniques, embraced experimentation, and continued to pursue excellence with unwavering determination.
His perseverance eventually transformed years of struggle into success.
Today, the artist who once returned home without a single accolade has been recognised with more than a dozen awards for his artwork. The most significant milestone in this journey came with the conferral of the National Icon of Odisha Award 2026, honouring him as Best Artist—a recognition that reflects years of dedication, resilience, and creative achievement.
Speaking after receiving the award, Md Saqib reflected on his journey:
“I never had an art teacher. My greatest teacher was every mistake I made. Every failed sketch taught me something new. This award is not the destination; it is a reminder that patience, consistency, and faith in your passion can transform dreams into reality.”
He dedicated the honour to his parents, mentors, well-wishers, and everyone who stood beside him during the years when success seemed distant but hope remained alive.
Today, Md Saqib’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists across India. His journey demonstrates that while natural talent may ignite a dream, it is perseverance, discipline, and continuous learning that ultimately define success.
From learning art simply by observing others, to creating a signature artistic style through years of self-learning, and from spending ten years without winning a single award to being honoured with the National Icon of Odisha Award 2026, Md Saqib’s journey stands as a powerful testament to the belief that determination can overcome the absence of formal training, and that true artistry is shaped by passion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to one’s craft.
