Indian subcontinent is famous for art and craft, which has transcended down through generations. To exchange knowledge and techniques, teach new students, and manufacture goods artists came in contact with each other in guilds, called “Karkhanas”. These traditional guilds or Karkhanas still persist in India. These Karkhanas are known by the name of head-craftsman who leads the group. He is entrusted with responsibilities of developing new techniques; creating market for goods; teaching new students and pass on collected knowledge to new generation.
One such Karkhana for miniature art is run by Mr. Gopal Lal Sharma called Gopal Lal Sharma’s Karkhana. He has learnt this art as a student under Padam Shri Lt. Ram-Gopal Vijayvargiya in his karkhanas. Now Mr. Gopal runs his own karkhana.
The Guru-Shishya Tradition kept alive
Mr. Sharma teaches students in Guru-Shishya parampara, a traditional Indian school of teaching. No tuition fee is charged from students who want to learn this art for their livelihood. When they start producing meaningful art they are inducted in the group as an on-job trainee.
The teaching starts with course on colour production. Colours are produced from stones, flowers and leaves. Later teaching of surface preparation, on which colour will be applied, is given. Then sketching and colour filling is taught. Finally detailing of painting using single hair brush is done. This the basic course about miniature painting.
About Mr. Gopal Lal Sharma
Over the years, Mr. Sharma has institutionalized his practise and has trained many skilled artisans in this fast vanishing art form. His efforts to keep the tradition alive has been recognised at state and national level and he has won accolades at all levels for his skill and efforts.