In an attempt to showcase
indigenous art forms and artists and ensure their legacy endures, Art for
Concern presents a two day exhibition of Traditional and Folk Art at the
Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre this week (25-26 November). The show
features four traditional and folk artists- Manisha Jha, Rajendra Shyam,
Kailash Chand Kumawat and Jijulal.  With
a pan Indian reach, the exhibition showcases Mata ni Pachedis from Gujarat and
Kalighat paintings from the east next to Kalamkari from Andhra Pradesh. Madhya
Pradeshi Gond works hang besides striking Chola bronzes from Tamil Nadu, Phads
and Pichwais. “In their myriad forms, these traditional arts are so varied that
to even call them a group forces unwarranted homogeneity upon them, yet all are
linked by the threat of disappearance. In a country with such a vast collection
of traditional and folk art forms, these artists barely receive the exposure
and patronage they require to find subsistence and stay relevant,” rightly
avers Radhika Gulati, director, Secure Giving.

Kailash Chand Kumawat hails
from a small village in Rajasthan, where his grandfather was a miniature artist
and the family has continued the tradition. He says a high degree of skill is
required and this art is carried out delicately with a with a fine squirrel
hair brush. His entire family is involved in this work and he takes pride that
through his work people are aware of this art form.

Manisha is a Mithila artist
by tradition and a trained architect by profession. Born in village Satlakha of
Madhubani district in Bihar, Manisha learnt this art from her mother and
grandmother. She has been practising this art for last 30 years, and has been
fortunate enough to have held more than 50 exhibitions since 1998, thus not
really ranking as an obscure or underprivileged artist.  Manisha Jha lives and works from New Delhi.

Jijulal V M is a very highly
reputed Kerala Mural artist with over 10 years of experience. He was born in
Kozikhode District of Kerala and continues to live and work from there.

Born in Patangarh on 20 July,
1982, Rajendra Kumar Shyam is an established Gond artist. The Gonds are a folk
indigenous to the Gondwana region. They express themselves through song, dance
and festivals. Their art form draws from the wildlife and forests surrounding them,
and replicates the vibrant hues and rich textures seen in their community.
Shyam took to the Gondi style at an early age. He has participated in “Gond
Painters Camp” organised by Lalit Kala Academy, Kerala.

 Though each of the works are intricate and detailed
as characteristic of the Indian traditional arts, it is Kailash Kumawat, who
takes the cake this time, with his portrayal of India’s erstwhile royalty. With
a good eye for colour, he combines the traditional red and gold to absolute
advantage. His treatment of fabric, the gold embroidery, likewise is flawless,
retaining sheen and luster almost better than the real. The sheer labour
required to make a work seems quite phenomenal. Manisha Jha, too, does very
intricate Madhubani works containing a strong narrative  element. Then again, Jijulal V M and Rajendra
Kumar Shyam have their own stylistic legacies to carry, evolving and developing
method and material as they go.