A lecture by senior artist Mahavir Verma, Ratlam was held on the subject of traditional folk styles and experiments of painting by Kalidas Sanskrit Academy on Sunday. The programme was presided over by senior artist Mukesh Bijole, Ujjain. The lecture was broadcast live on the department’s YouTube channel.
In the lecture, senior painter Mahavir Verma said India is a vast country and has a diverse culture. In this, different folk painting styles developed according to the region. Prominent among them are Gonds of Madhya Pradesh, Sanjas of Warli of Maharashtra: Chitar of Karnataka, Madhubani of Bihar, Patta of Orissa and Bengal, Kalamkari of Andhra Pradesh, Kangra of Himachal, Mandana of Rajasthan etc.
The influence of the culture and specialty of that area is visible in the paintings painted by folklore artists. Like in Kalahasti style the size of the eyes is big, more embellished with natural colours.
In Madhubani style, the dots are decorated by filling the color between the double lines. The Sanja style of Malwa consists of decoration of figures with cow dung and flowers. In Phad style, women are presented in green and blue colors for men. Images are made with rice flour in Chitra style. People’s festivals have been depicted in folk paintings for centuries. The classical tradition develops from the folk itself. The culture of India is reflected in the folk style paintings.
Giving the Presidential address, senior painter Mukesh Bijole said any nation is recognised by its art and culture. Fine arts communicate human feelings directly to the heart. Folk painting styles developed according to the regions all over India, in which Warli, Patta, Pithora, Madhubani, Chitra, Kalamkari, Kangra, Gond, Mandana are prominent.
The entire literature of the great poet Kalidas is such a subject on which painters have created beautiful paintings for centuries.
At the beginning of the programme, the welcome address was given by Santosh Pandya, Director-in-Charge of Kalidas Sanskrit Academy and the vote of thanks was given by Yogeshwari Firojia, Deputy Director.