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Delhiwale: A face in the crowd

Jan 19, 2025 10:25 PM IST

A Goldman Statue artist in Connaught Place shares insights on life, friendships, and his golden identity in a Proust Questionnaire.

Always in a golden-coloured costume, every exposed part of his body painted in that colour, he calls himself a “Goldman Statue (Artist)” He daily performs in Connaught Place, mostly standing still as if he were a statue, a donation box beside him. This evening, he agrees to become a part of our Proust Questionnaire series, in which citizens are nudged to make “Parisian parlour confessions”, all to explore our distinct experiences.

He daily performs in Connaught Place, mostly standing still as if he were a statue, a donation box beside him. (HT Photo)
He daily performs in Connaught Place, mostly standing still as if he were a statue, a donation box beside him. (HT Photo)

Your favourite virtue.

Talent to make people laugh.

What do you appreciate the most in your friends?

A friend should never be a dagabaz (betrayer). My friends betrayed me.

Your favourite occupation.

Acting.

What would be your greatest misfortune?

To love somebody.

If not yourself, who would you be?

If I were not a goldman, I would have been a thekedar. That used to be my profession. I would arrange teams of labourers to work on construction sites. Back in those days, I would sometimes entertain the labourers with my mono acting. Anyhow, I ended up with great loss in thekedari, and couldn’t continue with it… it is true, the world looks colourful when you have money, but you see the real world only after you lose your money. Then everybody changes, including your relatives and friends.

Where would you like to live?

I live in Najafgarh, which is a long metro ride from Connaught Place. But I will like to live in CP, and save myself the daily commute. In fact, I put on the golden paint on my face only after reaching here, and wash it with soap before walking back to the metro station.

Your favourite colour.

Golden colour. It is my identity, the source of my earning.

Your favourite names

Arvind, Arpit, Golu—my three sons. And Radha, my wife.

What do you hate the most?

Being a target of taane (taunts).

The natural talent you’d like to be gifted with.

God gives us more than we need. We need to know what exactly we need.

Faults for which you have the most tolerance.

While I stand motionless, being a statue, some passers-by push me, abuse me, or pick up my paisa ka dabba (donation box) pretending to run away with it. I forgive them.

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Stay updated with all top Cities including, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and more across India. Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News along with Delhi Election 2025 and Delhi Election Result 2025 Live, New Delhi Election Result Live, Kalkaji Election Result Live at Hindustan Times.
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