A spectacular six-feet gourd art ‘Panchamukha’ is the cynosure of all eyes at the Dastkar Mela organised by U.P.- based NGO Pushpanjali Khadi Gramodyog Sansthan. Crafted by Adivasi artisans of Chattisgarh out of ‘louki’ or bottle gourd, the Ganesha sculpture is an evocative piece, beautifully etched with motifs done by the ‘burnt wood’ technique followed by Bastar tribal artists since prehistoric times.
How does the process of creativity morph the humble ‘louki’ into a bejewelled Panchamukha Ganesa complete with ‘modak’ and tusk, each curve of its composite form following the natural curve of the gourd? Adivasi Deepak Dewanger stops twirling a long tribal bansuri in frenetic circular motions) to explain: “I used 30 loukis to create Ganeshji, working with seven artisans. Once our whole village of Konda used to make gourd artefacts. Today only 6-7 families are involved. We start the process by collecting louki that is allowed to dry on the plant itself. The dried louki is then etched upon with the help of a red hot iron tipped knife which burns the outlines of the design in a sooty colour giving the incisions a typical look. In the crafting and shaping of Ganeshji we follow the curve and shape of the louki. Minute etching is done for facial features and tribal motifs are used for decoration and jewellery. We have joined together various loukis to form the Gods trunks, limbs, face, etc.”
Dewanger’s exquisitely crafted gourd art collection includes Ganesha faces, mobiles, rain makers and etched hanging lamps.
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The Dastkar Mela has a typical rural ambience with stage shows of Rajasthani folk dances and colourful puppet shows.
Clay and ceramics, grass mats and colourful puppets art-Deco wood items, paintings and textiles, each bring their own special resonance to the Mela. Among them are rare items such as the clay tawa made by Prajapathi Ghanshyam Kumar from Rajasthan famous for its black pottery. The tawa makes the most amazingly soft chappatis with a smoky flavour bringing back forgotten childhood days! Equally irresistible are Ghanshyam’s black clay abstract animal forms, wall hangings depicting rural tales and hookas.
At the end of the clay creative spectrum are potter Ganga Nagari’s flamboyantly painted 2’-0” tall clay fountains complete with lotuses and presided over with Lord Siva, Radha Krishna, etc. Deer, elephants, monkeys, Buddha heads are part of Ghanshyam’s kitschy creations “We put life in to mitti” says Ghanshayam, who’s three other brothers are national awardees.
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There’s more exuberant colour at Bhigendra Paswan’s Madhubani painting stall. His Ramayana paintings for the bridal chamber and his Ras Leela paintings have a distinct style and statement, soaked in vibrant earth colours including turmeric, yellow, ultra marine blue and earthy red. His piece-de–resistance is a striking black and white Madhubani frame depicting a multi armed, multi tasking woman who cooks, cleans, grinds corn, minds the children and live stock while tears roll down her face because of the indignities that are heaped on her by her patriarchal family.
And there is a lot more. Three feet tall blue pottery vases with Mughal and Chinese motifs, brass urulis and handloom fabric and saris from many regions of the country. Among the most arresting artefacts are Art Colony’s Art-Deco birds and animals and clocks made out of wood and contemporary wooden furniture crafted by traditional wood craftsmen. And definitely not to be missed are the spectacular modern sculptural pieces crafted out of soft stone.
All this to the beat of Sidi dancers from Gujarat kicking up a frenzy with African dance movements and drums.
Dastkar Mela is on view at Valluvar Kottam Hall, Valluvar Kottam High Road, Nungambakkam, till March 16.