The Art of Bikaner

The book features about 60 paintings mostly on handmade paper and some on silk. Executed in Bikaner style, the works have clearly been impacted by Mughal traditions, particularly in terms of the detailed anatomical depiction, and the richness of the palette. There is an impressive collection in the art track of ascetics, priests, sufi saints, sadhus, maulvis, and pilgrims each lost in their meditative trance, as the artist observed them during his sojourns to Khumbh or at Ganga Sagar Math or at the famous holy Dargah shrine at Ajmer, the sketches made on site were developed into paintings later in the studio. Images of Radha and Krishna, inspired by Geet Govind, Hanuman along with Ganesha also appears in various other incarnations. The repertoire also encompasses 24 distinct avatars or godly incarnations based on studies of Bhagwat Puran.

The Artscape of Mahaveer Swami brings alive the richness in the art tradition of Bikaner, inspired by his religious and artistic upbringing, along with his rigorous training.

Contents: Preface -Martin Gurvich; Mode and Material; The Artscape of Mahaveer Swami: Reliving the tradition of Bikaner art -Sushma K. Bah; The Art of Bikaner-Geet Govinda; Sadhus; Avatars Hanuman; Asta Ganesha; Spiritual India; Biography of Mahaveer Swami.