Dubai taxi driver nurtures hidden talent

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Source:  www.saudigazette.com.sa

On shift from 4 p.m. until 4 a.m. daily, Taxi driver Hamza Erimakunnath journeys Dubai roads to earn his livelihood and support his family back home in Kerala, India. However, he uses his precious free time to practice an extraordinary talent.

Dubai taxi driver adds finishing touches to portrait of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan smiling at a falcon. — Al Arabiya
Dubai taxi driver adds finishing touches to portrait of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan smiling at a falcon. — Al Arabiya

Distributed last week, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) released a calendar showcasing 12 paintings by Hamza.

The calendar represents the enormous talent and commitment of the 39-year-old taxi driver who has pursued his passion for painting despite the demands of a hectic job.

“I could not have asked for anything better in my life,” he told Gulf News.

Hamza’s talent was earlier recognized by RTA in an internal talent show in which he took first place. “On National Day, two years ago, I won RTA’s talent contest. From then on, my manager has been supporting me, but to be part of the RTA calendar is the greatest moment for me.”

“My happiness knew no bounds when RTA approached me in the middle of January to make water-color paintings of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for the calendar. They also gave me a month’s leave for the task,” said Hamza, who earns 4,000 AED monthly. More info