In a village called Bassi, in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, there's a 70-year-old man named Dwarka Prasad. He is the keeper of a beautiful tradition called Kavad. Kavad is a special art that combines woodworking, painting, and storytelling. It is all about creating stunning stories on small wooden shrines that can be carried around.

Kavad comes from Sanskrit words like "kavaat," "kapaat," or "kivaad," which mean "half a door" or "door panel." It is deeply rooted in Rajasthan's culture. Skilled carpenters called suthars make Kavads from mango or semla tree wood. These Kavads are like beautiful containers for stories.

The Tradition

Within the oral storytelling tradition known as Kavad banchana, the Kavad becomes a conduit for tales of gods, goddesses, local heroes, saints, and patrons. Dwarka Prasad, along with other esteemed artists like Dwarka Prasad Jangid, preserves this tradition, infusing life into each panel with vibrant imagery and timeless tales.

Revival of Learning

Dwarka Prasad reminisces about the days when Kavad art served as a beacon of knowledge for the less literate. Beyond religious narratives, Kavads now embrace stories encompassing health, education, and societal values. Themes like "Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter" and timeless fables like that of the rabbit and the elephant find expression on these intricate wooden canvases.

Legacy Continues

With each stroke of the brush and every hinge carefully crafted, Dwarka Prasad and his contemporaries ensure that the flame of Kavad art continues to flicker brightly. Their dedication breathes life into a tradition that has endured for over five centuries, bridging the past with the present and inspiring generations to come.