Artistic Folklore: a global instagram hub that helps people connect, learn and create folk art

It began with a single hashtag. Two Hobby Artistes, Aishwarya Magesh and Lakshmi Radhakrishnan Posted Works for a Themed Instagram Challenge, Organized by another Creator, Megha Mocherla. Admaring One Another’s Pieces, They Struck up a conversation and discovered a shared love for Indian Folk Traditions. Hence, they decide to set themes of their own and invited anyone, novice or seasoned, to join in.

Togeether they created artistic folklore (@Artisticfolklore), an instagram hub, where Folk Art Challenges Run Quistly, Yet Constently, Week-AFTER-Whitek. Their Experiment Soon Needed An Extra Pair of Hands and that is when Jyoti Navin Sharma joined in. What Began as Individual Pursuits Soon Evolved into a Shared Space where artists and tehusiasts explred themes, Learnt New Techniques and Celebrated Togera INDIA ”.

Indian Folk Art Carries Centuries of Tradition, Deeply Rooted in Regional Customs, Storylling and Religious Symbolism. In today’s rapidly evolving artistic landscape, Folk art is founding a new momentum through online platforms, Spearheaded by Passionate Artists, Who Seak to Reconnect with his Hartage.

Virtual handlers

The three founders come from Varied Backgrounds – Aishwarya, Originally from Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu is a fashion designer with a degree in Costme Technology, NOW LIVES in the uk; Lakshmi, A Medical Data Scientist from Kerala, Grew up in Chennai and Now Lives in the US, while Jyoti Navin Sharma, from Mumbai, have a Masters in Biochemistry. Similarly, the trio also had artistic leanings, as in, aishwarya, work as a freelance artist educator in London, Conducting Worksops For Children and Adults on Mental Wellbeing Using. Besides this, her personal works have been displayed at the Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, Uk

Jyoti Navin Sharma’s Phad Art Depicting The Hanuman Chalisa | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Lakshmi Leanede Towards Kerala Art and Thanjavur Art and DELVED Deep Into The Folk Arts during the Pandemic. Jyoti comes backed with a business in the text Industry. When Her Daughter joined the business, jyoti returned to her long-desired passion and learnt various artforms from reputed artists Ram (Kangra Miniature), and Ajit Dilipbhai Chitara (Mata Ni Pachedi).

The trio are undeterred by the different continents they live in and the different time zones, but found a way to collaborate virtually to plan strategies and workflows.

Rooted in tradition

Historically, Folk Art Was a Community-Driven Practice-be it murals on temple walls, intricate storytelling through screen screws or ritualistic symbols adorning. Today, in a World Dominated by Contemporary Art and Digital Illustration, Traditional Folk Art is Finding New Relevance. Online collaborations allows to engage in cross-regional interactions and explore styles beyond native tradations.

Aishwarya Magesh with Lippan Art, Portraying An Urban Scene | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Through these collaborations, many were into introduced to Lesser-KNOWN Forms. While Madhubani Remains Familiar to Most, The Group’s Initiatives Have Inspired Artists to Explore Lesser-KNOWN Traditions Such as Mata Ni Pachedi (GUJARAT) and BHIL TRIBAL ART (MADHYA Pradesh).

Bridging the old and the new

An interesting part is the modern touch artists lend to these art forms. While Some Recreat them as Digital Paintings, OThers Take Up Contemporary Topics. For instance, ‘Phad on Wheels,’ A Recent Theme Saw Artists Paint People on Bicycles, Buses, even skateboards using Rajasthan’s Phad Style.

Lakshmi with Dasavatara Phad Painting. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Lakshmi Says, “Over time, the collaborations have not only expanded the artistic awareness, but LED to Significant Improvement in Technique and Execution.”

Breaking Barriers ‘N’ Boundaries

The Initiative has drawn participants from all walks of life – Homemakers, Students, Working Professionals and Senior Citizens. They find this platform as a way to create and connect with others. Aishwarya, who works with people with decentia, belk art, with repetitive patterns, is calming.

Anukrati Chauhan, A Data Engineer from Noida, DesCribes the Experience as Therapeutic and Credits The Initiative for Broadening Her Artistic Horizons. She also finds the mentoring very unique in this group.

For sonam bansal, a software professional from indore, the platform was all about Rediscovering Folk Art and Allowing Her to Reconnect with India’s Cultural Roots.

Anukrati Chauhan’s Portrait of a Peacock in Madhubani | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Similarly, chennai-based homemaker shyamala devi vento the initiative with kolam (rangoli), an intricate ground art drawn in front of homes.

The collective has also attracted artists from across the globe. Deepti Chinni, A Doctor Based in the Us, Creates different art and craft works. “When I Participate in a theme, I know I am creating arts alongSide a group, and not in isolation.”

The initiative remains non-commercial, as in, no entry fee is collected, but all one needs to do is pin a schedule and tag #artisticFolklore, say the founders.