Folk paintings on canvas bags

The Indian folk arts are an essential part of the nation’s culture and identity because they are directly connected with the spiritual nature of people’s lives. The art forms are not only practiced by rural folk but also enjoyed by city dwellers. On World Art Day (April 15, 2023), Dayanand College of Ajmer, Rajasthan got its name registered in the Asia Book of Records for celebrating the folk arts. The drawing and painting department of the college achieved this feat by painting the maximum number of canvas bags on various folk arts of the country in a single day.

The folk art painting activity took place in the presence of renowned artist Ram Jaiswal, Lalit Kala Akademi member Mamta

Chauhan, and artists Poonam Pandey and Basant Kumar Sethi. Ajmer South Zone MLA Anita Bhadel also graced the programme as the chief guest. The painting activity to set the record started at 9 am when a group of 20 students and teachers of the drawing and painting department got involved in this attempt. Their aim was to make 400 paintings in a single day, but the work was completed by 2 pm only and one extra image was created, making a total of 401 art pieces.

According to Dr Ritu Shilpi, Head of the Department of Drawing and Painting, the paintings displayed the folk arts of several states of the country including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar,

Dayanand College set a record for painting

Indian folk arts on the maximum number of canvas bags in a single day. A team of 20 students along with faculty painted the bags with Madhubani, Warli, and other arts.

Punjab, and Bihar. The artists displayed folk arts like Pithora, Madhubani, Warli, Madana, Sanjhi, Gond, etc. on the canvas bags. As soon as the task was completed, Preeti Lohia, Adjudicator of Asia Book of Records declared the record. She then presented the ABR certificate and a medal to Dr Laxmikant, Principal of Dayanand College, Ajmer.

MLA Anita Bhadel congratulated the artists and the college administration for this achievement. The programme was coordinated by Dr Kavita Sharma. Earlier also, the college had set another record for creating the world’s largest painting on the occasion of World Art Day. This was done to create awareness around the Covid-19 pandemic. The day is celebrated worldwide to honour the contributions of artists and promote the importance of art in our lives. First observed in 2012, World Art Day was celebrated to commemorate the renowned artist Leonardo Da Vinci, famous for his incredible artistic work Mona Lisa.

Dayanand College, Ajmer owes its existence neither to the zeal of an educationist nor to that of a social reformer. It has arisen like the fabled Pheonix from the ashes of a blossoming flower Swami Dayanand Saraswati. Swamiji was consigned to Panchtatva on October 31, 1883, while his soul became a moving spirit for those who followed in his footsteps. It was in the year 1888 when Pt Jiyalal thought of setting up a school for imparting value-based education. In due course of time, the continued efforts of Pt Jiyalal and later of Prof D Vable transformed that little school into a leading college. Their efforts have now become the folklore of the region. No wonder vying with DAV College of Lahore, which closed down decades ago, the present Dayanand College, Ajmer is the oldest DAV institution in the country. Over the years this college has developed into a Centre for Excellence in the field of Research and Consultancy.