Dayaram Vashisth
Ikram Hussain was 15 years old when the manager of the Eidgah Gurdwara in Moradabad, UP, asked him to engrave his mother's name on an aluminium plate. The young boy had never gone to school but had picked up the skill of metal carving from his father. The young boy felt embarrassed and told the manager that he must write the name for him since he was illiterate.
He engraved the name beautifully onto the plate and received Rs 10 for this work. This amount gave him confidence, and he decided to pursue his work seriously.
Today, Ikram Hussain, 61, from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, is a national award winner. None other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him for his art.
One of the glorious moments of his life was when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was impressed and moved by his beautiful carvings at the The 12th Grameen Bharat Mahotsav at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi last year.
Ikram was carving a piece depicting Prime Minister with his late mother on a 3-feet brass jar. Prime Minister intently watched his carvings and patted him for his work and dedication. He displayed this work at the festival.
Moradabad, known as the "Brass City," is renowned for its exquisite brass artefacts. Ikram Hussain says he could not study due to financial constraints at home. However, he never lost hope.
At a young age, he began assisting his grandfather and father in their brass engraving work. His father, Haji Abdul Hamid, and his uncle, Razak Medal winner Haji Ghulam Nabi, were well-known brass engravers in Moradabad. Ikram started learning this art at the tender age of seven.
Even today, his eyes well up with tears when asked why he couldn't complete his studies. He explains that his family's financial situation was extremely precarious. To help support the family, he had to leave school and start working.
The family worked day and night, yet they could barely earn five to seven rupees a week. Even that amount was hard to come by those days. Despite this, Ikram never let his circumstances become a weakness.
While working, he meticulously learned the intricacies of engraving. His hard work and dedication resulted in him gradually mastering the art of working with brass to the point where he could accurately engrave the likeness of any person's face.
His engravings display emotion, depth, and lifelike detail. This is why his art has equally impressed people from all communities—Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians alike.
#VIRAL | मुरादाबाद, जो अपनी पीतल की कला और हस्तशिल्प के लिए पूरी दुनिया में प्रसिद्ध है, ने अनेक प्रतिभाशाली शिल्पकारों को जन्म दिया है। इन सभी में एक नाम विशेष रूप से उभर कर आता है—इकराम हुसैन। 61 वर्षीय इकराम हुसैन ने अपने जीवन की कठिनाइयों और संघर्षों के बावजूद पीतल की नक्काशी… pic.twitter.com/1Jvxm3iWTt
— Awaz -The Voice हिन्दी (@AwazTheVoiceHin) February 5, 2026
His hard work paid off, and in 2004, he received an award from the Uttar Pradesh government for his outstanding carving skills. He also received a cash prize of 5,000 rupees.
At that time, five thousand rupees was a considerable sum of money. Ikram recounts that when he went to deposit the check at the bank, the bank manager even offered him tea. This recognition was like a dream come true for him. There was an atmosphere of joy in his family, and his morale was boosted manifold.
Today, Ikram Hussain is recipient of honours and awards from various parts of the country.
He runs his company, which he started with a bank loan. This craftsman, who once earned just five rupees a week, is now providing jobs and training to many.
Ikram Hussain's story is not just a success story of a craftsman, but an example of struggle, perseverance, and self-confidence. He proved that with determination and hard work, a lack of formal education cannot be an obstacle to success.
The master craftsman is recognised throughout the country for his art and social message. The demand for his brass products is high, and his business is worth millions.
The Bihar government has hired him to train the artisans. He trained more than 400 artisans at the Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anudan Sansthan.
Ikram Hussain inherited his passion for this art form, as his father also trained people in the same craft. His exceptional carvings have earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Ikram Hussain at his stall at the Surajkund Festival
Craftsman Ikram Hussain has conveyed a message of communal harmony by engraving symbols of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian religions on his brass products.
He was honoured with a National Award in 2022 for his art and for promoting brotherhood in society.
Ikram Hussain believes that all religions are part of the same family and that we should rise above caste and creed to strengthen love and brotherhood. “We are all flowers of the same branch, only our colours are different. We should promote love and brotherhood, not hatred.”
His carving of the Ram Temple on a vase and his work on a 40-inch vase at the Golden Temple can be seen up close at the Lucknow Museum.
He has received numerous awards, including the State Award Second from Uttar Pradesh, the Bhim Rao Ambedkar Award, the Dr Ram Manohar Lohia State Award, the National Award Second from Union Minister Piyush Goyal, two honours from the Assam government, and an honour from the Prime Minister.
Overall, he has received 20 national and international awards. His work and contributions have also earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
