Hyderabad, Telangana, 29th of April 2025 : In an awe-inspiring showcase of devotion and artistry, Guinness World Records holder Ravi Kumar Toleti unveiled a breathtaking masterpiece of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy, crafted entirely from intricate origami folds, at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Tirumalagiri, today. Measuring an impressive 7.5 ft by 12 ft (excluding the frame), the magnificent artwork stands as a testament to Ravi Kumar’s unparalleled craftsmanship and perseverance. The stunning piece was meticulously created using more than 40,500 individual origami folds, a labor of love that spanned over four years. Marking this momentous occasion, Smt K Lalithkala Saseendran, Incharge Principal, PM Shri KV Tirumalagiri; felicitated Ravi Kumar Toleti, celebrating his monumental achievement and inspiring the gathering with a powerful message of dedication, patience, and artistic excellence.
Origami, the timeless art of paper folding, has evolved far beyond its traditional roots. Once primarily a creative pastime, it is now widely recognized as a powerful educational tool, especially for teaching mathematics, interior design, and even aiding in physical therapy. In today’s scientific era, the applications of origami extend across cutting-edge fields from space exploration and mechanical engineering to medical sciences and beyond, demonstrating its remarkable blend of creativity, precision, and innovation.
This extraordinary artwork of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy is crafted entirely through the intricate technique of origami folding. Each individual unit, composed of 15 precise folds, is carefully interlocked to bring the divine form to life. These folded units are meticulously mounted onto a paper card, and the entire piece is proposed to be framed elegantly with teak wood and glass. The grand image is thoughtfully divided into nearly 40 sections, with each segment, ranging from 2’ x 2’ to 4’ x 2’, designed separately on grid paper. Every part is vividly coloured using sketch pens to perfectly capture the details of that portion. Piece by piece, these segments come together to form the magnificent, complete origami portrait of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy.
Speaking on the occasion, Smt K Lalithkala Saseendran, said, the hands of Shri T. Ravi Kumar are magical, the fingers give a midas touch, he has been a very successful teacher in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghatan, who has been accorded with regional, national and national innovation awards, for his dedication, he was also recognised with a Guinness World Record for his Origami work. He is a sincere, dedicated, hardworking teacher, he is affectionate to students and colleagues. He is such a talented and a gem of a person, difficult to find another teacher who is as committed and dedicated to teaching as him from North to South and East to West.
My ultimate dream is to see this artwork adorning the sacred walls of Lord Venkateswara’s holy abode at Tirumala. Although I first conceived this idea back in 2002, it was in 2021 that I truly set my heart and hands to work. Over the past four years, I dedicated every spare moment, after school hours, during holidays, and on leave days, to bringing this vision to life. It was a demanding journey, but my passion for origami and my ardent devotion for Lord Sri Venkateshwara, fueled me throughout, says Ravi Kumar Toleti.
Ravi Kumar Toleti, a dedicated teacher at Kendriya Vidyalaya, has nurtured a deep passion for origami since 1988. His journey into this intricate art form began while seeking creative ways to help his students better express themselves and present their project work. A book by renowned origami artist Paul Jackson became his guide, enabling him to master the craft swiftly.
Ravi Kumar’s very first origami creation, a poster designed for his home, remains perfectly preserved even after 32 years, a testament to his enduring craftsmanship. The overwhelming appreciation he received for his early works inspired him to incorporate origami into student educational projects, opening new avenues for creativity and learning. Today, his enthusiasm for origami remains as vibrant and unwavering as it was the day he first discovered it.
To popularize the art of origami as a tool in education, especially to encourage easy grasp of difficult to comprehend mathematical and science concepts, he created a YouTube channel “Mathematics through Origami- Ravikumar Toleti”
Link: https://www.youtube.com/@mathematicsthroughorigami-9092; during COVID-19 pandemic. This channel besides being a platform for showcasing videos of his projects and exhibitions, helps students to create DIY models related to their curriculum.
Ravi Kumar Toleti has been serving as a Master Resource Person for the Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi, since 1995. Over the years, he has earned numerous awards and accolades for his outstanding contributions to the field of origami and education, including the Innovations Award from NCERT (2002), the KVS Incentive Award (2004), the prestigious National Award for Teachers — a President’s Award (2005), and the KVS National Innovation Awards (2012 and 2019). Among his remarkable achievements is a Guinness World Record for the largest display of origami peacocks in 2022. Ravi Kumar has also contributed scholarly papers to the Indian Science Writing Association and NCERT and has curated national-level origami exhibitions in 2007, 2008, and 2009, further promoting the art form across the country.
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