Mandawa: Tourist pride or Film maker’s fad

Rajasthan has always caught the fancy of Film and Documentary makers across the globe. It has been proud participant to many Hollywood and Bollywood flicks who have scouted and exploited abundant scenic and shooting friendly destinations in Rajasthan. They have either shot major part or have some sequences shot at different spots, especially when they are related to showcase rustic and heritage look of India.

Can one imagine the similarity between latest Bollywood blockbuster ‘ Bajrangi Bhaijan’ and older hits like ‘Paheli’,  ‘Jab we Met’, P.K. have in common, they have many scenes which have been shot in a discreet town of the state, ‘Mandawa’.

Apart from picturesque locations in  major cities of the state, film makers to display near semblance to small town or village of India prefer ‘Mandawa’ a small town located 270 kms. from National Capital.

 

 

 

Mandawa town has retained its rural flavour, appealing ambience, havelis restored in original form. The mind blowing puzzling bye lanes are an added attraction for the film makers. The simplicity of locals also add to the unique character of the town.

 

 

 

The town provides many dimensions for the film makers with varied types of locations to suit the script. Here they can create a scene of prison or can show an international border with the help of vast fields and uneven shoots of grass. Dunes of sand all over can also give an additional option to them.

 

Though the town has lately caught the fancy of Bollywood film makers, Mandawa has for a long time had been favourite destination in the itinerary of foreign tourists thronging to Shekhawati region of the State to savour the beauty of frescos art on walls and ceilings of Shekhawati Havelis and revel in the peaceful and calm environs of the town which still is not spoiled by the radical commercialization which the world is experiencing.

Mandawa has effectively set an example for other such town in the area or other parts of the country that tourism can be nurtured without compromising the original essence and beauty of the place.

 

 

 

 

Jaipur Artist Mesmerizes Whitley Art Festival at U.K.

The artistic instincts of people of Rajasthan are on display in all aspects of life. A vast spectrum of forms of Art & Craft symbolize the life of Rajathanis include Music, pottery, drawing and painting etc. From crude painting using lime stone water on walls of rustic hut to golden laced decorative frescos on the wall and ceilings of Royal abodes, Art is omnipresent. Even the earthen pots of daily use are decorated by motifs which depict love for all type of art & craft of local folks.

In consonance to other globally acclaimed craft forms of Rajasthan, miniature paintings done on Ivory panels, leather, marble cloth and walls using natural colors extracted from vegetables, minerals, and precious stones, categorized as Kalam or style of painting prominent among which are Bundi, Kishangarh etc. has caught the fancy of art lovers all over the world. These kalams are artifacts of spiritual paintings, the theme of which is mostly Radha Krishna.

 

This noble art felt the neglect due to change in taste of connoisseurs who shifted their interest to contemporary art. An artistic family under the tutelage of Royals of Jaipur has vowed to conserve this art form and establish its past glory on global art horizon. The scion of the family, Ramu Ramdev along with his family has portrayed his skills at Whitely Arts festival held in U.K. between 16^th and 18^th. July 2015.

 

 

This festival was witnessed by over 3,000 art lovers pouring from all over the world. This is Ramdev’s third participation in this festival. Along with demonstrating his skills to visitors Ramu imparted the basics of Art and conducted workshop on it.

Ramu Ramdev along with preserving miniature art in original form has done some experiments by fusion of contemporary art ideas such as paintings on animals. He has included Rajput and Mughal royalty in his works too.