Indian Folk & Mythological Art Workshops

My contemporary take on "Bani Thani," the famous Kishangarh painting often called the "Indian Mona Lisa." I used expressive, semi-abstract brushstrokes to capture the grace of the decked-out lady.

A modern and colorful acrylic painting of Lord Ganesha, created with thick textures to make the art pop. This piece was made for the Ganeshotsav festival, celebrating the elephant god with vibrant energy.

A pen and ink drawing of Buddha, created for a workshop on World Meditation Day. The focus is on serene lines and the calming spiral patterns in his hair, reflecting the peace found in meditation.

When I think of movement, the cosmic dance of Shiva comes to mind. This pen and ink drawing captures the energy of creation and destruction, a powerful theme we can explore through expressive sketching.

Here I am at a workshop learning the beautiful tribal art of Sohrai and Khovar from Jharkhand. It was a satisfying experience to learn this mural painting style, which is connected to harvest festivals and marriage rituals.

These are the natural pigments used in Sohrai and Khovar art, including red and yellow ochre, kaolin clay, and black manganese. Using these earthy materials connects us directly to the ancient traditions of tribal painting.

This is a hand-painted coaster featuring a design from Ganjifa, a traditional Indian card game. I teach how to paint these intricate figures, like this mermaid-like figure, as part of my folk art workshops.

Another Ganjifa-inspired coaster, this one showing a winged figure on a horse. These miniature paintings are a wonderful way to learn the unique styles of folk art from regions like Odisha.

A hand-painted Ganjifa art coaster depicting a dynamic folk figure. Learning to create these small, detailed pieces is a great exercise in precision and storytelling.