MSU master’s student made 25 Indian folk paintings depicting the tale of the Ramayana

Used different art forms from various states to showcase important events from this epic religious book, which has enlightened generations

Also prepared a documentary to enhance the knowledge of students regarding Indian Folk Paintings

( Vadodara Dt.05 02 2025 )                Akash Sharma, a senior M.Sc. student in the Department of Family and Community Resource Management, Faculty of Family and Community Sciences, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, displays 25 Indian folk paintings depicting the tale of the Ramayana. Under the guidance of Dr. Sarjoo Patel, he used different art forms from various states to showcase important events from this epic religious book, which has enlightened generations. It is the outcome of M.Sc. dissertation work on development of Educational module on selected Indian Folk paintings to enhance the knowledge of the students.

The Ramayana, one of the great ancient Indian epics, narrates the life and adventures of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his loyal companion Hanuman. The epic is not just a story of love and duty; it also conveys deep moral and philosophical lessons that remain relevant to this day.

Akash Sharma depicts the tale of the Ramayana in 25 Indian folk paintings from different Indian states. He uses Rajasthani miniature, Kangra, Nirmal, Pithora, Madhubani, Nakshi, Phad, Pattachitra, Gond, Kalamkari, Bhil, Chitravan, Tangka, Santhal, Chitra, Warli, Chitrakathi, Mata Ni Pachedi, Sohari, Cheriyal scroll, Saura, Kalighat, Pichwai, Tanjore, and Kavad paintings to visually display this epic. The idea is to spread awareness of India’s rich culture.

“The Kasturi mrug event is depicted through Gond painting from Madhya Pradesh, Sitamata swayamvar depicted through Madhubani painting from Bihar, Ram Darbar depicted through Tanjore painting from Tamil Nadu, Sitamataharan depicted through kalamkari painting from Andhra Pradesh, Lakshman cuts nose of Surpankha depicted through Pattachitra painting from Odhisa and Ramji and Sabrimilan depicted through Bhil painting from Madhya Pradesh.

There are other canvas paintings also like Ramji and Kewat Milan depicted through Phad Painting from Rajasthan. RavanVadh depicted through Kalighat Painting from West Bengal, Hanumanji bringing Sanjeevanibooti  to save life of Lakshmanji depicted through Cheriyal Scroll Painting from Telangana, Ramji and Vibhishan Milan

depicted through Chitrakathi Painting of Maharashtra, Ramji worshipping Mataji depicted through Mata niPachedi Painting of Gujarat, Dhanush Bhang by Ramji depicted through Nirmal Painting of Telangana, Ramji birth depicted through Rajasthani Miniature Painting, Rajasthan, Ramayana depicted through Kavad Painting of Rajasthan, Kekai and Manthara Samvad depicted through Nakshi Painting of West Bengal, Ramji returns to Ayodhya depicted through Pichwai Painting,

Rajasthan, Ramji and Ravan Yudh depicted through Saura Painting of Odhisa, Ramji and Hanumanji Milan depicted through Chitravan Painting, Madhya Pradesh, Setu Nirman depicted through Warli Painting, Maharashtra, Ramji and brothers in Gurukul depicted through Kangra Painting of Himachal Pradesh,

Meghnath Prahar on Lakshmanji depicted through Sohari Painting, Jharkhand, Lanka Dahan depicted through Chitra painting of Bihar, Ashok Vatika depicted through Tangka Painting of  Sikkim, Ramjiki Barat depicted through Pithora Painting of Gujarat and Sitamata and Hanumanji Milan depicted through Santhal Painting, Jharkhand. The student has also prepared a Documentary to enhance the knowledge of students regarding Indian Folk Paintings,” said Akash Sharma.