Masterclass Contents

Details

KAVAD MASTERCLASS (ON DEMAND, PRE-RECORDED, SELF PACED) Lesson Image

Lesson 1 : Introduction of the Artist (Kalakar ka Parichay): Meet master artist Satyanarayan Suthar! Learn about his lineage, education and career trajectory that led him to become an expert on Kavad art.

Lesson 2 :Introduction of the Art form (Kala ka Parichay): Learn the foundations of this age-old art and the three communities that sustain it. Reflect over how the themes and characteristics of this art can be adapted to modern use.

Lesson 3 : Introduction of Materials used in Kavad: In this lesson, we will learn about all the customary and present-day materials used to make a Kavad. Follow along to make your own set of natural colours!

Lesson 4: Woodworking in Kavad: Nails, hammers and saws! Watch this lesson to learn the basic woodworking process to create your own Kavad from scratch.

Lesson 5: Painting the Base: Choose your background and get to work! In this lesson, we will be painting the base and making borders on our Kavad.

Lesson 6: Sketching the Story: Time to sketch your own story. Follow along to illustrate the two central legends of Hindu mythology, and make your own Ram-Krishna Kavad.

Lesson 7: Colouring: In this lesson, we will be filling colour in our sketches while learning about how each colour impacts the interpretation of our story’s characters.

Lesson 8: Detailing: Watch your characters come alive in this lesson. Get your paint brush ready to add in the details and embellish your Kavad.

Lesson 9: Final Finishing: Watch along as master artist Satynarayan ji adds the finishing touches to his Kavad. Add weaponry, garlands and more to embellish the characters of these epics.

Artist

Satya Narayan Suthar

Satya Narayan Suthar is a Kavad Art National Award Winner. Satyanarayan Suthar was born in Bassi, Rajasthan in 1972 and attended a local school. His father taught him the technique of Kavad making, but when he was sixteen, he had to leave home and fend for himself. He was an artisan for a business firm that exported crafts. The experience increased his productivity and sharpened his technique, giving his work a particular character. He lives in a leased flat with a workspace and a business on the ground level. In Udaipur, he produces kavads and other wooden objects for visitors and merchants. He has received several honours for his innovative efforts in the art of kavad manufacturing. He received the District award in 2004, the State award in 2009, and the National award recently.

Kavad Art

Kavad art is a traditional form of storytelling through painted wooden shrines, originating from Rajasthan, India. These portable shrines, known as Kavads, are intricately painted and used by storytellers, known as Kavadia Bhats, to narrate mythological tales, folklore, and family histories. Each panel of the Kavad unfolds like a book, revealing different segments of the story as it opens. This art form combines visual art, oral tradition, and craftsmanship, creating a unique medium that preserves and communicates cultural narratives. Kavad art primarily depicts themes from Hindu mythology, such as the epics of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the stories of Krishna, and other religious narratives. It also includes folk tales, local legends, and genealogies of patrons. The style of Kavad art is characterized by its vivid colors, detailed illustrations, and narrative sequences that unfold as the Kavad opens. The paintings are stylized yet expressive, capturing the essence of the characters and scenes with a sense of movement and drama. History The history of Kavad art dates back several centuries, with its roots deeply embedded in the storytelling traditions of Rajasthan. Originally, the Kavadias, or storytellers, traveled from village to village, using these portable shrines to narrate stories of gods, heroes, and ancestors. The craft was typically passed down through generations within specific artisan communities, such as the Suthar community in Mewar, who specialized in making Kavads. Over time, the art evolved to include various religious and cultural tales, reflecting the rich oral traditions of the region. Legend According to legend, the Kavad derives its name from the term "Kavadh," which refers to a sacred pilgrimage. It is believed that the first Kavad was crafted by the divine architect Vishwakarma, who is also considered the patron god of craftsmen. The Kavads were meant to serve as mobile temples, allowing worshippers to carry their deities with them, thus making pilgrimages more accessible to those who could not travel to distant holy sites. Material and Method Kavads are traditionally made from lightweight wood, such as mango or neem, which is carved and assembled into a box-like structure with multiple panels and doors. The outer surfaces and inner panels are then meticulously painted with natural pigments using fine brushes. The vibrant colors often include reds, blues, yellows, and greens, with gold accents for embellishment. The painting style is detailed and narrative, focusing on clear, expressive illustrations that help convey the story. The making of a Kavad involves both carpentry and painting skills, showcasing the artisanal expertise of the craftsmen. Significance Kavad art holds significant cultural and spiritual value as it serves as a medium for preserving and passing down traditional stories and family histories. It is not just an art form but a storytelling tool that fosters a deep connection between the past and present. By combining visual and oral traditions, Kavad art plays a crucial role in sustaining the cultural heritage of Rajasthan. Additionally, it offers insights into the community's social and religious values, making it an important artifact of Indian folk culture. In contemporary times, efforts are being made to revive and promote Kavad art, ensuring its survival as a cherished cultural legacy. FAQS Are Kavads customizable or made to order? Yes, MeMeraki offers customization options for Kavad art. You can request specific themes, stories, or even family genealogies to be included. Please contact us for details on custom orders, including timelines and pricing. Do you offer international shipping? Yes, we offer international shipping for our Kavad art pieces. Shipping costs and delivery times will vary depending on the destination. Please check our shipping policy or contact us for specific details. How can I be sure of the authenticity of the Kavad art? We work directly with artisans and craft communities to ensure the authenticity of each Kavad.

ArtKits

Product Details

Title	KAVAD MASTERCLASS (ON DEMAND, PRE-RECORDED, SELF PACED)
Vendor	Satyanarayan Suthar
Art Style	Kavad Art
Difficulty Level	Beginner
Audio Language	Hindi
Subtitles	English
Number of Lessons	9
Artworks Covered	1
Country of Origin	, India

FAQs

What is the difference between Masterclasses and LIVE workshops?

Masterclasses are complete pre-recorded courses of 7-8 parts that have been researched and recorded by us at the Master artists homes. LIVE workshops happen in real time over zoom along with the Master Artist and a small like-minded group. Live workshops have different levels. We only have a few Masterclasses right now - Lippan art from Kutch and Pichwai art from Nathdwara, Rajasthan and are producing and adding more every month. While we cover more than 60 heritage art and craft forms in our live workshops already.

I am a beginner, which class would you recommend for me?

You could attend a beginner friendly live workshop (or even a masterclass if its Lippan or Pichwai you are interested in) and then join the foundations or advanced LIVE workshops. The different levels for the LIVE workshops are- Beginner, Foundations and Advanced.

Are materials included in the masterclasses and LIVE workshops?

Materials are not included in the masterclasses but you can order from our list of authentic art kits and materials in addition to the masterclass. For the live workshops, materials are included in some of the live workshops as part of the workshop and it would be mentioned in the workshop description.

What is covered in the different levels of the LIVE workshops and in the Masterclasses?

Beginner Friendly- These are usually 1-2 classes of 2 hours each and one of the simpler artworks and motifs of that art style are covered in the beginner friendly workshops as an introduction to that art form.
Foundations- In the foundations live workshops, the workshops are structured to teach you the basic motifs and foundations of that art style , the focus is not on completing a painting but the elements taught in each class are incorporated in a painting and a few different compositions are also taught
Advanced- in the Advanced live workshop, usually the focus is on completing a more elaborate and intricate painting - no basic motifs are covered in the advanced workshops.
Masterclass-A masterclass is structured as 7-8 pre-recorded classes covering introduction of the artform, introduction of the artist, introduction of the different traditional materials used in that art and then 3 artworks are usually taught ranging from beginner to intermediate.

Do I get a certificate for completing a LIVE Workshop or a Masterclass?

Yes, going forward, our platform will automatically award you a certificate on behalf of MeMeraki for completing a workshop with us and being a patron of the arts. This will be accessible via the ‘My Workshops’ section under each workshop that you have attended after Nov 2021.

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KAVAD MASTERCLASS (ON DEMAND, PRE-RECORDED, SELF PACED)