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This tribe earned its livelihood predominantly through agriculture and also doubled up as soldiers, when need be, for the rulers. So it was either farming the land or taking up arms for the country. However, breaking the protocol is 27-year-old Ramdev Arishish Keshwala, who is an artist, something unheard of in the community.
Ramdev’s interest in painting was aroused at the age of 11, when he used to see his father Arishih Keshwala drawing. While his father used sketch pens to depict the lifestyle, customs and traditions of the Maher tribe, Ramdev uses oil paints on the canvass to further the Kathiawadi style of paintings developed by his father. And their efforts have bore fruit. Their paintings have been exhibited a number of times at various places. And for those interested an exhibition is currently on at the Hotel Welcomgroup, where 33 paintings — 13 by Arishish and 20 by Ramdev — are on display. The exhibition is on till June 14.
The Maher tribe, according to Ramdev, has a unique culture. Citing an example, he says before going to war, the members played dandia raas with dhaal and talvar and while playing itself worked out the strategies to be adopted the next day.
Today, thought they play raas with wooden dandias, a close look reveals the dance steps quite similar to a fight. And Ramdev captures this expression with his brush and paintings.
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Mahers are also known for their courtesy in welcoming guests. Dudaata, an old man, who lived about a century ago and welcomed persons going on a pilgrimage to Dwarka from Vishavala village near Porbandar is still remembered. Ramdev says his grandfather knew that his father (Arishish) was neither interested in farming nor in becoming a soldier, and so encouraged him to get a degree from the J J School of Arts, Mumbai. Interestingly, Arishish also worked as an assistant art director in the Hindi film industry.
Though he was a part of the unit, who worked for Geeta gaya pattharone and Bharat Milap, Arishish felt that Kathiawad had much to offer in terms of beauty. Hence, he took up as an art teacher in the Bhavsinhji High School, Porbandar. Though Ramdev does not hold any formal degree in paintings, his father’s guidelines and his own experience has earned him laurels. His paintings have been exhibited at a number of places all over the world, including the Leicester Community Hall, United Kingdom.
My aim is to keep the Kathiawadi style of painting alive and flourishing, like the Mughal style of painting,” he says. Interestingly, a section of the tribe later took to unscrupulous ways after some rulers fell back on their promises to reward them for their services.
There are over seven lakh people belonging to this community, of which many have settled abroad. However, a major chunk of them still live in Porbandar like Arishish and Ramdev, who through their paintings have kept the culture and tradition of this tribe alive.
Article credit: Nandini Oza ,
Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.