Author: Riya
Young Artists, Big Dreams: Emerging Visions at National Institute of Fine Arts
Art has a unique way of telling stories. It captures emotions, memories, and ideas that words often cannot express. And when young artists take center stage, something truly special happens. That is exactly what is happening at Bikaner House in New Delhi. The National Institute of Fine Arts is presenting Emerging Visions, a student art…
Etikoppaka Toys: Natural Dyes and Lacquered Wooden Art
Hello folks! Have you ever seen a toy made without plastic or chemical paints? That is exactly what makes Etikoppaka Toys so special. What makes them even more fascinating? The smooth, shiny finish. It comes from a traditional wood-turning technique. This skill has been passed down through generations. In 2017, Etikoppaka Toys received a GI…
Folk Art vs. Fine Art: Where Do We Draw the Line?
Hello folks. Art comes in many forms, but the distinction between Folk Art and fine art is often debated. While fine art is typically associated with formal training, galleries, and individual expression, Folk Art is rooted in community traditions, cultural heritage, and skills passed down through generations. According to UNESCO, traditional crafts and cultural practices…
Pichwai Paintings: The Devotional Art of Nathdwara
Welcome, folks! Enter the enchanting realm of Pichwai paintings, where piety and awe-inspiring art converge. Conceived in the temple town of Nathdwara, Rajasthan, these exquisite works of art extol Lord Krishna in his most divine avatar—Shreenathji. These paintings, detailed and filled with spirituality, turn walls into gateways of a mystical era. Adorned with lotus flowers,…
Handmade Craft of India: 7 Women Artisans’ Behind India’s Heritage
Hello folks, behind every piece of handmade craft lies a story that often goes unheard. Across India, nearly 7 million artisans are connected to traditional crafts, and a huge number of them are women who quietly keep traditional Indian folk art alive with their hands, patience, and emotions. From weaving old memories into fabrics to…
Digital Revival of Indian Folk Art: How Tech Is Saving Ancient Traditions
Hello folks, have you ever wondered what happens when centuries-old creativity meets modern screens? Today, the digital world is becoming a lifeline for Indian folk art and the artisans who once struggled to keep their traditions alive. From Madhubani paintings reaching global buyers through Instagram to Warli artists selling handmade work on online marketplaces, technology…
Palm Leaf Engraving (Odisha): A Complete Guide to Talapatra Chitra
Hello folks, have you ever held a piece of art that feels older than time itself? Palm Leaf Engraving from Odisha is one such treasure. Known for its delicate lines and deeply spiritual storytelling, this centuries-old craft carries the heartbeat of Indian heritage in every stroke. Artists carefully engrave tales from mythology, nature, and daily…
Dhokra Metal Craft: India’s 4,000-Year-Old Lost-Wax Art
Hello, folks! Let me introduce you to a craft that’s older than the Iron Age. Dhokra Metal Craft. 4,000 years. Maybe more. The same lost-wax technique your ancestors used is still alive in a few Indian villages. Bastar. Bankura. Jharkhand. Here’s the thing. One artisan takes 15 days to make a single Dhokra figurine. A…
Tholu Bommalata: The Magic – Leather, Light & Legends
Hello folks! Let me tell you about an art form that’s flickering like a dying oil lamp. Tholu Bommalata—Andhra’s shadow puppetry. Not the fancy digital kind. Real. Raw. Made from goat and deer leather. Punching holes. Painting gods. Telling the Ramayana all night long. Once, 300+ troops roamed Andhra villages. Today? Fewer than 15, maybe…
Cheriyal Scroll Painting: A Complete Guide to Telangana’s Narrative Art
Hello, folks. Let me talk about something fragile. Cheriyal scroll painting is a Telangana Traditional Art. It comes from one small village. Once, every storyteller carried these scrolls. Some were 50 feet long. They were like ancient comic books. But here’s the hard truth. Only one family—the Nakash family—still makes them. UNESCO gave it recognition.…