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Home > News > India News > Article > Indias finest artists hold court in Mumbai

India's finest artists hold court in Mumbai

Updated on: 19 October,2010 07:06 AM IST  | 
Aditi Sharma |

Meet five master artists from across india, whose crafts will be the crowning glory at the Paramparik Karigar Art and Craft Exhibition that begins today

India's finest artists hold court in Mumbai

Meet five master artists from across india, whose crafts will be the crowning glory at the Paramparik Karigar Art and Craft Exhibition that begins today

Tucked in various corners of India, craftsmen sustain theiru00a0 traditions and associated arts. Occasionally, they reach big cities (Mumbai or Delhi) to showcase their wares and translate their rich culture.

Sometimes, their art brings them into the spotlight at national platforms or as part of delegations at international events. The Guide discovered five such gems who despite the adulation, remain firmly in touch with their roots.u00a0



1 Leather puppets / lampshades from Nimmalkunta, Andhra Pradesh
Artists: Lalita and Sreeramullu Shinde

The Shindes are not just craftspeople but performing artists too. That makes both Sreeramullu and Lalita extremely animated conversationalists. Recently felicitated by a minister from Delhi, they proudly display those photographs in between explaining the tedious process of making the leather puppets from goatskin.

The puppets are mostly characters from Ramayana or Mahabharata. "Our shows were very popular when there were no TVs. Now, we get good crowds in villages," shares Sreeramullu, who is extremely possessive of his puppets even if they fetch a good price.

Price: Rs 500 onwards

2u00a0Miniature painting from Jaipur, Rajasthan
Artist: Kailashchand Kumawat
The Kumavat community has sustained the miniature art form through generations. The pride in Kailashchand Kumavat's voice is palpable when he talks of his community having helped set up many of Rajasthan's temples and palaces.

"In our community, we don't need training in Vastu Shastra. We've constructed big palaces for kings from this knowledge," he adds. They've also actively spreading knowledge about the art. "Recently, I conducted a workshop at Rachana Sansad College of Architecture. It was slotted as a two-hour workshop but the students were so interested that it stretched for the entire day," he adds.
Price: Withheld

3 Gadwakam art from Bastar, ChhaTtisgarh
Artist: Suresh Waghmare
Suresh Waghmare smiles back when faced with questions about the Naxal attacks. Instead, this 40 year-old prefers talking about the proportion of beeswax to brass and bronze to make a traditional sculpture. Waghmare and other artists from Bastar have begun to interact with designers to develop new styles. "We make door knobs, handles, napkin holders, candle stands and lamp shades apart from traditional jewellery and sculptures of devi-devta," he says.
Price: Rs 25 onwards

4 Bidri from Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Artist: Vijay Madhukar Gawai
The Gawai family is involved in traditional and modern Bidri craft. In Bidri, blends of zinc and copper are moulded and inlaid with pure silver. The effect of the delicate silver filigree on the ebony toned background is delicate and beautiful. "At our exhibitions, we keep traditional designs including intricate flower pots ; also paper cutters, coasters and napkin rings. to give the buyer the range of our craft," explains Vijay Gawai.u00a0
Price: Rs 70 onwards

5 Mithila Painting from Mithila, Bihar
Artists: Moti Karn & Satya Narayan Lal Karn
"Some years back I attended a symposium on traditional art and craft where I witnessed a foreign delegate speak about traditional Indian art. Isn't it a shame that we have forgotten our roots while a foreigner is here to teach us?" questions Satya Narayan Lal Karn. The husband-wife duo are a mine of information on Mithila art.
Price: Rs 5,000 onwards


AT: Coomaraswamy Hall, Chhatrapati Shivaji Vast Sangrahalaya, 10.30 am to 6.30 pm, until October 21.



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