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Shivji Ram Mali

"Hello, my name is Shivji Ram Mali. I was born in a wonderful village in Rajasthan on September 5, 1954. Painting has been always my passion. I think I was destined to be a painter. My passion for painting has been always evolving within me and today I am proud to mention that I have inherited one of the finest traditional arts called the pichwai painting.

"My entire life has been spent in Rajasthan and this is where I learned this rich art. When I was in my primary school, I was really good in drawing - that's what my teachers used to say. And I always received appreciation from my teachers. When I reached the standard V, I was invited for drawing animal figures of elephants and horses for weddings. Such drawings were very popular in weddings during those days. I was invited for more and more weddings and functions and, before I realized, painting became my profession. Very intrigued by this rich pichwai painting tradition, I started learning this art from my guru and studied for a period of five years.

"The pichwai painting originated in Rajashthan a few centuries back and is always based on Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha. This art is usually painted on cotton and canvas. Derived from the word pichwai, which means "backside" or "behind" in Hindi, such paintings were meant to cover the walls or be put behind the sculptures of Krishna and Radha. Considered as one of the most expensive of all paintings, the original pichwai paintings are mostly portrayed with pure gold. But to meet the expense of the customers I have used water colors.

"I am not from a very well-off family and my marriage at the very young age of sixteen made my life nothing easier. So, I thought why not make use of my skill for generating some income? This is how my fascination for painting took a turn and became not just for satisfaction but to improve my economy as well.

"I was also head of our village council for a period of five years from 1994 to 1999. I know this profession is altogether a different kind of vocation but I feel that each profession, if seen from a true man's eyes, is an art in itself. During my tenure as the head of the village, I not only helped get employment for many villagers but also opened schools for children and used this opportunity to expose this rich traditional art. I have also trained a lot of people who are now faring well in this art and have also become self-sufficient. So much in love with this art, I even used to pay some youths to learn this art so that they would not only become self-reliant but also carry on this rich art down the generation.

"Besides doing such paintings on cotton and canvas, I also execute them on wooden plates and furniture. I think painting is one of the best way to express your thoughts. I have done several paintings on woods and screens where on one side I have painted the portrait of Radha and Krishna while on the other side I have painted the portrait of Mughals. This is how I intend to express my feelings that Hindu and Muslim are one.

"Though I am involved in this art for more than thirty years, I am yet to receive any awards. Actually I have never participated, though a lot of people have suggested me that I should participate in competitions.

"I am very fortunate to be associated with Novica. I am positive that this rich art will receive its due recognition. If my work is appreciated by the people at the international level, the credit will not be only mine but for my entire team and everyone associated with this art."