SARA Folk Art Painting Competiton
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SARA Folk Art Painting Competition
Empowering Art: SARA Folk Art Painting Competition Celebrates International Women's Day - 08th March 2025
On the occasion of International Women's Day, SARA Gandevikar Jewellers & Delight and Divine Charitable Trust hosted an extraordinary event that showcased the vibrant and empowering world of folk art through the SARA Folk Art Painting Competition. The competition highlighted the talent and creativity of women artists while celebrating the diversity of Indian folk traditions. With three exciting categories, Madhubani, Gond Art, and Mata ni Pachhedi, this event was a true reflection of empowerment, culture, and creativity.
The Spirit of Empowerment Through Art
International Women’s Day has always been a day to honor the achievements of women and reflect on the ongoing journey toward gender equality. This year, SARA took a bold step by using the power of art to celebrate the strength, creativity, and resilience of women across the world. The Folk Art Painting Competition provided a platform for female artists to express their stories, heritage, and values while adding their personal touch to traditional folk art styles.
The Categories: Honoring Tradition Through Creativity
The competition was divided into three fascinating categories, each representing a distinct regional art form with a rich history and deep cultural significance. These categories allowed artists to explore their creativity while keeping the traditions alive for future generations.
Madhubani: Madhubani, a folk art form from Bihar known for its intricate designs and vibrant colors, symbolizes feminine strength and the celebration of nature. Participants in this category showcased their intricate line work, motifs, and the storytelling nature of Madhubani paintings, which often depict mythological stories, animals, and divine figures.
Gond Art: Gond Art, originating from the Gond tribe of Madhya Pradesh, Gond Art is a visually striking style that often uses bold lines and vibrant colors to portray the beauty of nature. This category was all about honoring the natural world, with artists using symbolism to reflect their connection with the environment. The intricacies of the Gond Art form were beautifully captured by the participating artists.
Mata ni Pachhedi: Mata ni Pachhedi is a traditional art form from Gujarat that features detailed depictions of deities and folk gods. This category allowed artists to explore the narrative of religious devotion while embracing women's power as divine figures. The use of bold colors and motifs connected to ancient mythology brought this category to life.
Special Guests: Celebrating Art and Culture
We were honored to have a distinguished group of guests at the event, who added an inspiring touch to the occasion:
Honorable Pinky N. Soni, Chief Guest (Mayor of Vadodara)
Kumkum Bishwas, Principal of DAPS
Kokila Pawar, Chairman of Mahila Morcha
Dr. Sandhya Harpale, Gyanologist-Director of SAPAN Hospital
Hemali Shah, Owner of Hemik Art Studio
Shobha Rajopurohit, Principal of Bright Day School
Their presence highlighted the importance of women’s empowerment through art and culture, making the event even more special and inspiring.
Our Esteemed Judges:
The competition was judged by two highly respected individuals from the art and education fields:
Ketki Ainapuere, Artist & Teaching Assistant at MSU
Kashyap Parikh, Artist & Associate Professor & Head of Applied Arts, MSU
Both judges brought a wealth of experience and expertise to the event, helping to assess the creativity and mastery demonstrated by the participants.
Award Ceremony: Celebrating Excellence
The competition concluded with an inspiring award ceremony, where the winners were celebrated for their outstanding contributions to folk art.
Levish Dalson was awarded for her exceptional work in the Mata ni Pachhedi category.
Kavita Deshmukh was honored for her beautiful creations in the Gond Art category.
Rital Patel was recognized for her impressive Madhubani artwork.
In addition, a special category of awards was presented to:
Disha Bandodkar for her outstanding work in Gond Art.
Preeti Joshi for her exceptional Madhubani art.
Dipali for her creative interpretation of Mata ni Pachhedi.
Winners received a cash prize of ₹5000/- along with a certificate and a hamper, while the Special Category Awardees were given ₹1500/- along with a certificate and a hamper. All participants were also given a hamper as a token of appreciation for their involvement and creativity.
A Day of Celebration and Inspiration
The event was not just a competition but a celebration of the rich traditions of Indian folk art, a tribute to the creativity of women, and a step toward greater visibility and recognition of women artists. The atmosphere was filled with vibrant colors, inspiring stories, and a sense of unity as artists and guests came together to honor art in its many forms.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the participants, guests, and organizers who made this event a success. The SARA Folk Art Painting Competition was an unforgettable experience that brought people together to celebrate the power of art and the strength of women.
It warms our hearts to be recognized by The Retail Jeweller India, whose spotlight on our Women’s Day painting competition beautifully amplifies our dedication to celebrating women artists and India’s cherished folk art traditions. Their feature captures not just the vibrant creativity of the 50+ participants who painted in styles like Mata Ni Pachedi, Gond, and Madhubani, but also the powerful spirit of community and cultural pride that defines our event.
To everyone who joined hands in this journey, our talented artists, supporters, and the wider audience, your engagement transforms an art event into a true celebration of empowerment and heritage.
Looking Ahead
The success of the competition is only the beginning. We look forward to continuing this journey of empowering women artists and promoting traditional art forms. Stay tuned for more events and opportunities to get involved in the world of folk art.