13 April,2011 08:22 AM IST | | Soma Das
The latest exhibition by Paramparik Karigar will feature sculptures, textiles and artefacts by 30 new artists across 14 Indian states. The aim is to provide a common platform for the craftspersons, who might otherwise be forced to give up their livelihood because of lack of financial incentive. "It is our endeavour to keep these ancient traditions alive by showcasing their work. If we buy from them, they will be able to sustain themselves and hand their traditions down to their children," says Anu Chowdhury Sorabjee, committee member, Paramparik Karigar.
Madhubani painting from Bihar and a Thewa ornament
Among the crafts on display will be Jaipur craftsman Masroor Ahmed's gemstone and marble carvings, which feature intricate designs and Udaipur-based craftsman Mandvi Pandi Ram's Molela terracotta idols that depict gods and goddesses.
You will also find Madur mats, named after the reed (Madur Kathi) they are made from, by Subhendu Bikash Das from Midnapore (West Bengal). Manipur's Eastend Handicraft Unit also use reeds to make textured mats, baskets and bags, which are hand-woven from the Kauna water reeds that grow in the stagnant waters of Manipur.
Muriya wood carving
Then there are wooden sculptures made by Pandurang Ramdeo, who lives in the Bastar region of Chhatisgarh and belongs to the Muriya tribe, a sub-caste of the Gond tribals. His simple sculptures are of human and animal figures, and interpretations of local deities.
Girish Kumar Raj Soni from Rajasthan is a practitioner of Thewa, an art that traces its origins to the Mughal era, and involves fusing filigreed gold sheets on to multi-coloured glass. Lalita Vakil's Chamba Rumal is an embroidered version of pahari miniature paintings on a handkerchief. The art form originated in the Chamba region of Himachal Pradhesh and was practiced by women from the royal or upper classes. The fabric was subsequently used to cover gifts or offerings.
The wonders of paper craft are evident in Vijay Kumar Verma's Sanjjhi paper stencils, which depict scenes from Krishna's Ras Leela. The technique originated as a temple art form in Uttar Pradesh and is practiced in Mathura and Vrindavan. You can also expect to find horn and shell work from Bengal, Ajrak prints from Kutch, Bagh prints from Madhya Pradesh, Chanderi sarees, tie and dye, Banarasi, Ikat and Kota sarees.
From April 14 to 17
At Coomaraswamy Hall, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Fort.
Call 22844484
