Sea Foam Art: A Fusion of Nature and Creativity


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By Smriti Sahu

The vibrant cities of Rajasthan offer a wealth of treasures to the connoisseurs of aesthetics, from miniature paintings, and traditional puppetry to age-old craftsmanship of Jadau jewellery. Another unparalleled art form coming from an incredible artist of Udaipur and a National Awardee, Harsh Verdhan Chhajed, is the amazing seafoam art. This exceptional art form, created out of seafoam, referred to as dried Samundari Jhaag, is as elegant and intricate as any art could be.

 

Shrinathji in Seafoam by Harsh Verdhan Chhajed

 

Brittle in nature, seafoam is a type of material that is composed of magnesium, carbonate, and calcium. Seafoam or Samundri Jhag is formed by the beach water, containing high concentrations of minerals, protein, fat, dead algae and other organic materials that get agitated through natural processes. They have a tough, bubbly exterior and a hard interior, usually white or light brown. 

 

Self-taught artist Harsh Chhajed’s inclination towards creating seafoam art began at the early age of thirteen as a pastime when he was not allowed to play outside. Later, instead of leaving for another city to pursue engineering, he remained at home. In 1974 he completely  dedicated himself to his craft. Initially,  he used handcrafted tools made out of common items like razor blades, hair pins, ballpoint pen refills, black shoe nails, and screwdrivers, but today he uses a variety of complex tools for intricate details. Harsh Chhajed mastered a craft that called for immense patience. He would pick up the pieces of these sea foam remnants found in houses, that were typically used to clean the glass of the palaces and sculpt those pieces into artistic creations. 

 

Tools of seafoam

 

Far from resembling materials like thermocol, marble, and cuttlefish bones, dried seafoam is an organic and distinct medium. In the process of crafting the medium, the rough outer surface of this light material is first carefully removed. The inner surface is then scrubbed to create an even texture, and the seafoam is cut into varying lengths as needed. A frame is meticulously sketched out, and seafoam is precisely shaped into designs. The artist has to be meticulous while giving his piece a refined finish. The complex and delicate nature of this artwork requires immense dedication and patience, and for this reason, Harsh Chhajed also had to learn the craft of framing his delicate pieces. 

 

Tirupati in Seafoam by Harsh Verdhan Chhajed

 

The journey towards self-mastery was marked by continuous self-improvement at every step. To prevent breakage and fungus Harsh Chhajed began using air-tight glass frames. As far as his approach is concerned, Chhajed pauses and controls his breath when concentrating on his craft. According to our artist, working with sea foam demands meticulousness and great patience, which many aspiring learners often lose before mastering it.

 

 Seafoam art in making

 

Carving seafoam

 

Starting with basic motifs of birds and animals, he progressed to creating deities like Shrinathji and an intricate door panel adorned with detailed motifs. Sadly, about 20 years ago, he lost sight in one of his eyes. Not to mention, seafoams are not as easily accessible as they once were. Yet, this artist is still dedicated to the making of intricate craft. 

 

Whispers of the Wild in Seafoam by Harsh Verdhan Chhajed

 

Today, his artistic expression has led him to win accolades far and wide, earning recognition from figures like Rajiv Gandhi, the eminent politician Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and notable singer Lata Mangeshkar. It is indeed a fact that Harsh Chhajed has successfully explored and carved a vast array of motifs, miniatures, and deities out of Samudri Jhag.  Other motifs include traditional symbols, women radiating feminine elegance, and portrayal of celebrated Gods from sacred texts. 

The picture below portrays the divine dance between Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, and his dearest companion Radha. While this celebrated duo is depicted in an entranced state, closely dancing together while keeping a tender gaze at one another, the artist had taken close consideration in successfully capturing the movement of their rich attire. Both Radha and Krisha possess sharp and smooth features. The divine pair are shown in a well-adorned ensemble. By meticulously carving circular designs and geometric patterns, Harsh Verdhan Chhajed has been able to infuse vitality into his artwork.

 

Radha Krishna in Seafoam by Harsh Verdhan Chhajed

 

Master artist Harsh Chhajed has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including National Award and recognition from All India Handicraft Boards. Surely, what makes this artwork interesting is not just the subjects, details, and stylized portrayal but also the medium. Harsh Verdhan Chhajed is a fine example of how an artist can find inspiration anywhere and ace in transforming any object into captivating art.