“An artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision.”
— James McNeill Whistler
Suman Doonga
In current times to the COVID 19 pandemic, artists across in our country the arts spectrum are suffering from difficulties arising due to loss of livelihood and no means of sustenance.
#SavetheArtist, is an initiative, which is conducting a series of online interactions with the eminent artists of Indian Classical Music, Dance, Folk dance, tribe Arts and Craft, Media, Culture, Theater and Literature on the challenges they are facing during this COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainties that surround their art forms. It is founded by eminent Educationist and cultural evangelist, Suman Doonga, who has inspired thousands of students over the years through her result oriented inspiring work also as Media Director of SPIC MACAY, a global volunteer movement promoting Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth.
In these trying times for artists, #SaveTheArtist has started its latest initiative, The ‘Meet & Greet Series’ for supporting the artists across the country. This initiative has received wide support by eminent persons from across the arts and media industry.
globalbihari.com is proud to get associated with the cause and and serialise the efforts to save the artists.
Ram Soni comes from a family of traditional jewellers, which has been making Sanjhi paper cuts for over 350 years. Originally from Mathura, Ram currently resides in Alwar, Rajasthan. His entire family of four brothers is involved in this craft. His four brothers Ajay, Vijay, Mohan, Ram, Shyam and Sanjay, his brothers, cousins and uncles, are perhaps the only ones who still practise this art.
Called Sanjhi, it flourished as far back as the 16th and 17th Century, if you go by history. If you go by myth, it is believed that Radha covered the walls of her house with this art for the enjoyment of her beloved Krishna.
“Sanjhi came to decorate Vaishnav temples,” explains Ram Soni. Motifs drawn from the life of Krishna became the inspiration. Paper stencils were made and they were used to make rangolis on temple walls and floors. “It is a languishing art,” he says and it is found in only a few temples today.
A highly skilled and creative artisan, he received the National Award in 2002. He regularly conducts workshops and participates in exhibitions all over the country. He has a wealth of experience working on a variety of projects with designers and architects. Delhi Crafts Council has been associated with Ram Soni since 2008, exploring new formats and applications in Sanjhi. For this special collection, Ram has worked on some of his own designs as well as some, which have been developed with Delhi Crafts Council.
Since the use of this art as temple art has dwindled, Ram Soni says he and other Sanjhi artists now make lamp shades, screens and other decorative items. He has moved from Mathura and now practises his art in Alwar, Rajasthan.
“Traditionally, only the men do this art work,” says Ram Soni. But his daughter has shown interest in it too. While he refuses to let her handle the scissors, he does watch her surreptitiously while she draws. “I know she fiddles around with my paper, pencils and scissors when I am not around,” he smiles.
Ram Soni likes to challenge himself and feels that the collaborative creative process takes skills to a new level.
