India’s folk artists have turned online to teach art forms such as Kalamakari, Kavad, Phad or Madhubani paintings. We chat with artists as well as platforms MeMeraki, Zwendedesign, Madcap Workshops and Bitclass
Krishna Tashi Palmo explains the significance of certain elements in Tibetan ‘Thangka’ painting. She waits patiently as the class catches up with her, the ‘students’ are part of a two-day online workshop organised by MeMeraki, a culture-tech platform.
Palmo, a Thangka artist and teacher, is based in Seobagh, a village in Himachal Pradesh. Over four hours spread over the two days, the class is introduced to the history and cultural significance of Thangka painting. Despite the occasionally spotty Internet connection, learning art does not get more comfortable than this. You are in your house, a representative of the company ensures that everything proceeds smoothly during the workshop. Palmo is one among many artists who collaborate with platforms such as MeMeraki, to conduct art classes remotely.
Like Palmo, Kalyan Joshi, an award-winning Phad artist from Bhilwara, Rajasthan, travelled across the country and abroad to participate in exhibitions and conduct workshops. Travelling to showcase folk art, which is a form of religious scroll painting practised over generations, was the source of Joshi’s livelihood till last year’s lockdown.
Similarly, in Darbhanga, Bihar, Madhubani artist Pratima Bharti travelled for workshops and exhibitions and commissioned work to provide for her family. “This is our trade, with lockdown’s restrictions our livelihoods have been hit,” she says over the phone.
Throughout the past year-and-half of the pandemic, practitioners of traditional art forms such as Kavad, Phad, Madhubani, Gond, Pichwai, Lippan and others are facing a hard time due to COVID-19 restrictions on travel, cancelled exhibitions and workshops.
Read More at www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/hobby-culture-tech-platforms-india-memeraki-zwendedesign-madcap-workshops-bitclass/article36079563.ece/amp/
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