The Indian Heritage Centre’s (IHC) first digital edition of CultureFest celebrates the diversity of Indian arts and includes workshops and art installations among the wide variety of programmes it offers.
Among the art forms to be explored is a colourful and vibrant art called Madhubani, a school of folk art that originated in the North Eastern regions of India. Madhubani, meaning “forests of honey”, is created as decoration for events such as weddings, harvests and festivals.
There are three workshops to choose from:
- An Epic E-Book Writing Workshop for Children (ages 8-15 years).
- Madhubani Art Pen Drawing Art workshop ( open to all)
- Ashoka Flower Water colour Painting Workshop (open to all)
Conducting these is Stroke Arts Studio founded in 2014 with the vision and mission to promote an awareness and appreciation for Indian visual arts, especially Indian folk- art painting in Singapore. Kumuda Krovvidi holds a position of Director in the Company and takes charge of the corporate and institutional art workshop events.
An artist herself she has passion and appreciation especially for Indian art forms such as Madhubani, Warli, Kalamkari, Pata Chitra and Gond. “I am fascinated by an artistic process, especially in the field of visual arts,” says Krovvidi to Connected to India.
“To discover a process and to be able to apply it in a creation is my mantra for purposeful living. And sharing my discovery with others through workshops, talks, classes and exhibitions gives me immense satisfaction!”, she adds.
Epic E-Book Writing Workshop for Children (ages 8-15 years)
In this one-hour workshop participants will:
- Write an e-book on the story of Ramayana in their own words using a digital device such as a computer, laptop or tablet using a pre-formatted writing tool in MS Word
- Illustrate the e-book using a pre-created set of twenty-five line drawing images and a sample illustrated book of the story of Ramayana
- Receive a certificate of participation at the end of the workshop
Madhubani Art Pen Drawing Art workshop ( open to all)
- In this one-hour workshop participants will be guided to:
- Create a pen-work wedding scene of Prince Rama with Princess Sita
- Have the option of painting it with paint mediums of their choice paints at their own end.
- Receive a certificate of participation at the end of the workshop
Ashoka Flower Watercolour Painting Workshop (open to all)
Ashoka (sorrow-less from the Sanskrit word ‘A’- without ‘Shoka’- sorrow/grief) is a tree with great mythological and symbolic significance across South East Asia.
In this one-hour workshop participants will be guided to:
- Draw and paint the Ashoka trees stem, flowers and leaves
- Use the medium of water colours
- Receive a certificate of participation at the end of the workshop
Besides the above online workshops the IHC CultureFest will also have an on-the-ground hands-on Community Art Wall project on Madhubani and an Art Installation.
Community Art Wall project at IHC (open to all)
The Community Art Wall is a large canvas mounted on an easel with line drawings of Valmiki Ramayana in Madhubani Art.
“Visitors to the IHCCF are invited to try their hand at Madhubani art by colouring in the traditional designs and motifs created on the canvas”, says Kumuda.
- Date/ Time: 12 – 13 & 19 – 20 Sep, 2 – 4 pm
- Venue: IHC
Art Installation
The Art Installation is a visual narrative of the Valmiki Ramayana in Madhubani Art displayed via canvas paintings on easel stands.
"There are six canvas paintings corresponding to six books or ‘kand’ as described in the Ramayana and the various major events within each book of the story. For example ‘Bala Kand’ speaks of the birth, education, adventures of Prince Rama and his wedding with Princess Sita," explains Krovvidi.
You can register and secure your slot for the free event at this link and visit Indian Heritage Centre's Facebook page for updates on all CultureFest2020 programmes.
