04 December,2009 11:05 AM IST | | Avantika Patil
Small is big, even when it comes to art. That's what Jaipur miniature artist Shammi Bannu Sharma, would like to believe.
In Mumbai to exhibit one of the world's largest miniature paintings, Sharma talks to CS about the waning popularity of the art form:
Fine art
People think that miniature paintings are only about Rajasthani art. Though the form might have its roots in Rajasthan and is alive only in Jaipur today, the paintings are not only characteristic of the Rajasthani style. Miniature paintings have a lot more to boast of. They're are known for their detailed, intricate work.
Colour code
Different sources of colours and brushes are used for making miniature paintings. The colours used are all natural and primary ones. We extract them from semi-precious gemstones, pure gold and vegetable dyes. It's a very long process and has to be minutely monitored. Apart from this, what actually gives the art a different identity is the brush. We use squirrel brushes with fine fibre, thereby ensuring that the paint doesn't spread.
The dying art
People in India don't realise the importance of this form of art. Miniature paintings have been in our culture for more than 500 years and are now slowly becoming extinct. In India, western and Victorian art is a subject of interest but our students barely know anything about Indian art. In some universities of UK and US, there is a PhD course in fine arts where they teach miniature paintings. In Pakistan, there is a bachelors and masters degree in fine arts and a specialisation course in miniature paintings. It is really sad to know that the art, which originated in India, is now unfamiliar in its homeland.
Family legacy
Seven generations of my family have been into this art. I have seen my father working on miniature paintings since I was very small. I was always fascinated by this art form. Continuing this legacy is not just a matter of pride for me, but also a promise that I made to my dad, Bannu Ved Pal Sharma, on his deathbed. I want to do justice to the art and take it to a new level.
My dad has been an inspiration and a driving force to keep this art alive in India. He is my idol and my mentor. I am conducting some workshops in Jaipur to document and study his work so that I can help the coming generations understand this great art. We have already lost much of the art but what ever we have should be preserved. I have a dream to build an institute in India, which exclusively caters to learning the art of miniature paintings.
