Berhampur: A young engineer and miniature chalk artist from Dura village in Berhampur, Odisha, has earned international appreciation for an extraordinary piece of craftsmanship created to mark India’s hosting of the BRICS Summit 2026.
K. Bijay Kumar Reddy has created miniature chalk sculptures depicting the leaders of the five BRICS nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — along with a tiny representation of the 2026 BRICS logo.
What makes the artwork particularly remarkable is its exceptionally small scale. Each of the five leader sculptures measures only around one centimetre in height, while the BRICS logo is just 5 millimetres in size.
A Month-Long Exercise in Precision
Bijay said the miniature artwork was created as a gesture to welcome delegates arriving in India from different parts of the world for the BRICS Summit.
According to him, the project required intense concentration and highly precise craftsmanship. Creating a single miniature chalk piece takes approximately two days, and completing the entire collection took him nearly one month.
The tiny dimensions of the sculptures made the project particularly challenging, requiring careful attention to minute details while working with chalk.
Bijay said the idea was to create something distinctive that could represent India’s artistic talent while also marking an important international event being hosted by the country.
Artwork Shared With BRICS Embassies
After completing the sculptures, Bijay reached out to the diplomatic missions of the BRICS countries and shared photographs of his creations with the embassies of four nations.
His effort eventually received a response from the South African High Commission, which expressed appreciation for the miniature artwork.
The diplomatic mission also showed interest in receiving the original chalk creation and informed Bijay that it would be taken to South Africa.
South African High Commission Requests Artwork
The response from the South African mission has given Bijay’s work an international dimension.
According to Bijay, the High Commission conveyed its gratitude on behalf of South Africa and requested the miniature artwork. It also indicated that officials could remain in touch with him for potential artwork requirements in the future.
The recognition is significant for the young artist, as a creation that originated in Berhampur is now set to travel internationally and become part of a diplomatic connection surrounding the BRICS Summit.
From Berhampur to South Africa
Bijay’s miniature sculptures combine art, precision craftsmanship and international diplomacy in an unusual way.
The five tiny figures represent the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, while the miniature BRICS logo symbolises India’s role as host of the 2026 summit.
Despite their extremely small dimensions, the sculptures have attracted attention because of the skill required to create recognisable figures at such a microscopic scale.
The artwork’s journey from Berhampur to South Africa is also being seen as a moment of pride for Odisha, showcasing the state’s creative talent on an international platform.
Miniature Art Gives Odisha a Global Spotlight
The appreciation from the South African High Commission has provided Bijay with an opportunity to take his distinctive art form beyond India.
His BRICS-themed creations demonstrate how miniature art can become a unique medium for cultural expression and international outreach. The project also highlights the ability of individual artists from smaller cities and towns to gain global attention through innovative craftsmanship.
With the artwork now set to travel to South Africa, Bijay’s one-centimetre sculptures have created a remarkable connection between Berhampur, India and the international BRICS community.
