Art of the craftsman of Surajkund fair: Kishangarh style is being enhanced on postcards from the era of kings and British till now, art has been kept alive for three generations

The artwork of 24 incarnations of Krishna became the center of attraction, 100 km from home. Father had learned the art after going far away.

Pushpendra Sahu has kept alive the well-crafted art of Kishangarh style, which started in Kishangarh, Rajasthan about three hundred and fifty years ago. Pushpendra’s artworks, which came for the first time in the Surajkund fair with the help of NABARD, are the center of attraction for the visitors. He has created unique artwork on postcards from the time of King Maharajas and British till now. His family has kept this art alive for three generations. But he regrets that with the advent of digital painting, this art is slowly disappearing. Pushpendra has taken this style to America, Australia, Russia and Japan.

Made,Thani art started like this

Talking to Dainik Bhaskar, Pushpendra Sahu told that in the year 1748, during the tenure of Raja Sawan Singh, craftsman Nihal Singh came to Kishangarh with him. He had a maidservant named Bani-Thani. Raja Sawan Singh had never even seen the face of the maid. But he imagined and ordered the craftsman Nihal Singh to make a picture of Bani Thani. Nihal Singh provided an attractive look by painting according to the shape given by the king. Since then the rise of this art is considered.

This art was born in his family three generations ago.

Pushpendra told that this art was started in his family by Dada Shankarlal. Grandfather died soon after. At the age of 20, father Hansraj Sahu was about 100 km from his home. Went to Jaipur and learned this art. Stayed there for six months. He started his work only after learning the art of Bani Thani. Now in the third generation, he himself has kept this art alive.

Squirrel’s tail fills the shape with color

The craftsman told that the silk cloth is pasted on the ply. Paste arrowroot on it. Then make a shape on the cloth. After that fill the color with natural color. The special thing is that brushes made of squirrel’s tail are used to color the shape. Because the hair of the squirrel’s tail is very soft.

Year 1909 Art made up to postcards available

They have artwork made on all the postcards from the period of the kings in the fair to the years 1909, 1911, 1931 till the British rule. Apart from this, artwork has also been made on the stamp paper run under the rule of the kings. The figure of 24 avatars of Lord Krishna is the center of attraction. It is in great demand in foreign countries. The cost of this figure is around one and a half lakh.