Renowned Craftsman - Shri Kripal Singh Shekhawat (1922-2008)

Belongs to a small village, Kripal Singhji’s early art education started from the village artisans. His formal training in drawing and painting was under Sh. Bhur Singh Shekhawat, and then in Lucknow. He went on to Calcutta to join Shanti Niketan to study for four years, where he acquired the knowledge and technique of oriental painting.

Kripal Singhji went to Japan for Diploma in Oriental Arts from Tokyo University where he worked with prominent Japanese artists. In 1955, he started a mural on the life of Mahatma Gandhi in the fresco technique at Birla House. In 1963, he became Director of the Sawai Ram Singh Shilpa Kala Mandir at Jaipur where he taught Indian Painting and Blue Pottery.

The history of Blue Pottery begins with the Iranian King Shah Abbas II who started this work seeing great demands of China Clay Pottery which was exported to Europe in huge bulk. The king took the initiative by calling some workers from China. But, china clay was not available there as local potters use red clay for pottery. So, they began there work with Quartz stone to give similar look, which was available there. In this way this type of pottery started developing in Iran.

The story of Blue Pottery in India started long back in the Mugal Period, when inter trade relations between India and Iran brought this art to Delhi where this art was continued. In 1857, the Iranian potters perhaps went back but the Delhi local potter- Bhola Kumhar continued it. At the same period, Raja Ram Singhji was the King of Jaipur who was very fond of Crafts and Handicrafts. He met some talented potters, Kalu Ram and Chura Mani, who were given the initiative to make and learn the art of making blue pottery. After successful learning, they started the work as art teacher in the Art School. In this way this art came to Jaipur.

In early 50’s, this work of Blue Pottery was almost vanished. In 1963, All India Handicraft Board started a school named Sawai Ram Singh Shilpa Kala Mandir, for teaching Indian Painting at Jaipur. Kripal Singhji was made its Director and assigned an additional work of teaching Blue Pottery which was new for him. He started assembling and researching on this art of pottery.

In the words of Kripal Singhji, “Blue Pottery- originally known as Sangine, got its name from Britishers as initially it was of blue colour”. It is due to his dedicated work in painting and pottery, he was conferred the National Award by the President in 1967 and the “Padma Shri” in 1974. He was honoured with the title of “Shilp Guru” by the President of India in 2002. Kripal Singhji went to many countries like England, Iran and America, for working and studying the art of paining. It is through his efforts that this craft was revived and became so famous today. He passed away on 15 March, 2008 at his residence in Jaipur.

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