Abhijit Bhadange has been collecting autographs since 2002. He has also been conducting handwriting improvement classes and workshops since then.

Abhijit Bhadange

1.      When did you start collecting autographs?

         

                Since 2003 from the age of 22

 

 

2.      Why did you choose this hobby?

 

There used to be many cultural events earlier where  famous people and dignitaries used to come and taking their autograph and keeping it in my collection used to fascinate me.

 

3.       What do you have to say about people who prefer selfies  other than taking autographs.

 

That is the thing of the modern era with handy cameras but taking autograph  is also important.  

 

4.      So do you think selfies are killing autographs?

No, infact I think the charm of collecting autographs is increasing.  Just imagine, how happy one feels to have the letters of one’s dear ones in their handwriting.

 

5.      What kind of collection do you have, are they all collected in in-person?

Yes, my 95% collection is collected in-person. Once, i had sent a congratulation letter to  the Miss World of South Africa, Rolene Strauss and she replied to me in her own handwriting and signed it too.

 

6.      So dont you think it was fake?

No, i believe that a woman who is a Miss World will not send a fake letter to me.

 

7.      How should one start collecting autographs?

One can start by collecting autographs of one’s teachers, local artists etc.

 

But they are not celebs, what about that?

Autographs need not be of only celebs. One can always start small.

 

8.      But then these people like our real heroes have no value in the market, what about that?

That’s ok.  In the starting, they can attend  various  programmes which is attended by various artists and celebs coming there and take their autographs.

 

9.      According to you, are social workers celebs?

Yes, they are real heroes. If one takes, only then their awareness will grow. Social platforms will also help them to discuss about them and let others know about them. This way even others will feel that they should have their autographs too. Do you remember, in prize distribution events, if we would win a trophy, we would always cherish those photographs. Collection of autographs feel just the same.