An artist's workbench, a worshipper's shrine, and a medium for storytellers. These are a few out of the many purposes served by Kavad art of Rajasthan. Kavad originated close to 500 years ago when there was a need to educate people on aspects of Hinduism like karma and dharma. Members of the bhaat caste created these portable wooden structures with images to make it easier to engage with audiences. It's an art as unique as the stories represented in layers and a variety of colours. Kavad commonly known as 'portable shrine' , is a wooden box or cabinet with many doors, each unfolding to different parts of a story with upto 10-20 panels vividly painted with depictions of deities, mythological stories and tales from epics. For centuries traditional storytellers of Rajasthan have used Kavad art to narrate religious stories and legends to people. Kavad art is a whole gallery of art, a fascinating blend of carpentry, painting, storytelling and faith. Kavad is meant to entertain and convey essential morals. Today it has been adapted to teach children alphabets and the importance of educating the girl child.
Dwarka Prasad is a national award winning Kavad artist. He has been engaged in the craft since his childhood and brings stories like recycling,Tsunami etc to life through his paintings in the wooden structures typical to Kavad .
Making of Kavad-
Artist Dwarka Prasad says how the construction of box is itself quite complicated and requires precision in fitting multiple panels and hinges. A single Kavad can take more than a week to make. Kavad's range in size from as small as 10 cm to 3 feet tall. They are mostly made of wood from a local tree, mostly mango and sometimes of neem tree. The process begins with a suthar cutting pieces of wood and shaping them into panels and other parts that make up Kavad with tools like saw. These pieces are then coated with a local white chalk powder called khadia. The panels are then painted and decorated with beautiful stories for the masses. Traditionally, natural colours were used to paint but now mineral pigments are used.
Artist Dwarka Prasad painting the wooden panels
He is a story teller himself who communicates his artwork of Kavad as he narrates it to people. He proudly talks about how it took him and ten artisans over a month to make a massive Kavad for the Republic Day parade as part of the Rajasthan entourage. He believes its a matter of pride. He just wants people to appreciate what artists make after days of hard work and patience.
iTokri has wide variety of products of Kavad art, from wall clocks to canisters, each handpainted with precision and delicacy including those made by Dwarka Prasad. Many colourful handpainted wooden wall clocks are available each with unique designs, to adorn homes with the beauty of Kavad art. iTokri actively promotes the works of artists toiling hard to create each piece of Kavad art.
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