Rolling Paper into Purpose: An Artist’s Journey at 81

An inspiring story of Pranjivan Mistry (Khyaal Club Member)

“My name is Pranjivan Mistry, and I am 81 years old, currently living in Mumbai. I was born and brought up in Dadra Nagar Haveli. My father was a carpenter and blacksmith, and I think I got my creative side from my father. After completing my 10th standard, I moved to Mumbai to pursue higher education. Unfortunately, I could not complete my studies and had to start working early to support my family. I began my career as a carpenter and later took up various roles as a fitter & artist in the creative sectors of different companies. I later started my own fibreglass manufacturing unit, providing services to companies like L&T, IDM, Canara Lighting, etc. Impressed with my work, my friend invited me to start a Partnership business at Silvassa. Although the business was successful, ethical differences led me to end the partnership after five years. I returned to Mumbai and had to rebuild my life from scratch. Things were not the same, and I found it difficult to reset the business as my entire setup was scattered. My wife and our three daughters were very supportive during this time of crisis.

Thus, I retired at the age of 62, but I firmly believe that learning should never stop. I wanted to stay occupied and use my time meaningfully, so I turned to YouTube to explore and learn new things. I experimented with anything that caught my interest. Since I had been an artist all my life and already knew the basics of carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and model making, learning new skills came naturally to me.

One day, while browsing online, I came across an image of a paper quilling swan. I was instantly fascinated and decided to try it myself. That single image changed everything; it completely hooked me. It is an art form where tiny strips of paper are rolled, folded and shaped to create intricate artefacts. I had no prior knowledge of this technique and started from scratch.

Initially, I tried using a newspaper, but nothing worked. I spent nearly two months, day and night, struggling to give shape to the swan. Something always went wrong, and the structure just would not hold. But once I decide to do something, I don’t give up easily. Eventually, I realised that the paper quality mattered. I went to CST, bought a special variety of paper, and learned as I worked. It took me about 15 days to finally complete my first paper swan, and from that moment, there was no looking back.
Since then, I have created photo frames, lamp shades, table lamps, sunflowers, flower vases, Ganapati idols, and many more artefacts using the same technique. Each piece takes 10–15 days or more to complete, and even today, I spend around six hours every day immersed in my art.

Along with paper art, I also taught myself Photoshop, CorelDRAW, and Kinemaster through YouTube. My wife loves singing karaoke, but many songs don’t have floating lyrics available online. To support her passion, I started creating karaoke videos with lyrics myself. I enjoy helping others and have always had a natural knack for problem-solving.

Whenever something interests me, I don’t just try to complete it, I try to improve it. I put my heart and soul into everything I create. It would not be an exaggeration to say that today, I am alive because of my creativity. It keeps my mind engaged, protects me from negative thoughts, and gives my life purpose. Creativity is my best friend, it keeps me moving forward. Even at 81, I am healthy and hearty. I live a simple life with limited needs and feel completely content and happy.

My family continues to support and encourage me. My daughter and son-in-law often tell me that my artworks are unique and that I should start selling them. My daughter even registered me for “50 Above 50 – India’s Biggest Talent Hunt for Seniors” in the craft category. I was overjoyed to be selected among the top 10 finalists. I am deeply grateful to Khyaal for creating such a wonderful platform where seniors can showcase their talents. This recognition has boosted my confidence and motivated me to create even more. I am also very glad to be part of the positive and inspiring Khyaal community.

My advice for fellow seniors is: Keep life simple, be content with what you have, and develop at least one hobby that brings you joy every single day.” - Pranjivan Mistry (Khyaal Club Member)