Suppressed Dreams Graphite & Charcoal Portrait by Artist Suprabha Roy in Bathnaha

Titled ‘Suppressed Dreams’, this artwork depicts the silent struggles of a child whose passion for art is suppressed by social pressure and parental expectations. The little boy, deeply immersed in his drawing, is the epitome of pure creativity, while the despairing figures in the background depict the harsh reality that many children face when they choose a path different from what is ‘expected’. Using a mix of graphite and charcoal, I have highlighted the boy’s intense focus and the emotional tension between dreams and restrictions. The contrast between light and shadow in this work depicts the delicate balance between hope and repression. Through this work, my aim was not just to create a realistic portrait, but to tell the story of how rural and semi-rural communities often view art as a hobby rather than a career – and how many young talents quietly suppress their dreams under social norms. This portrait is much more than a sketch; it is the voice of every dream that struggles to find light amidst rejection.