Shakun Maheshwari 80 Truffula Trail Orono MN 55356 (952) 476-6475 shakuntaladesign@yahoo.com www.shakuntaladesign.com Work Samples Images: (select to enlarge)

Shakun Maheshwari East Indian folk art: body decoration, floor design, and batik Henna or mehandi is a form of body decoration in which henna paste is applied on the hands and feet in delicate patterns for special occasions such as weddings and religious festivals. Rangoli (also known as mandana) is the art of creating intricate designs with powder on the floors of houses, temples, and entrances. Rangoli designs are created freehand by applying material found in a home, like rice flour or chalk. The designs vary from region to region in India. Shakun says, "I grew up with the folk arts of henna and rangoli around me and learned both art forms as a young child from my grandmother and mother. I feel happy and proud to pass on these impermanent art forms to children through demonstrations and residencies at schools and other community festivals." She can also do batik, a fabric coloring process that uses wax and dye, or do embroidery or beadwork, and make dolls with fabric. Available: Residencies should be during weekdays. I am open for demonstrations with two weeks notice. I will be able to travel for out-of-state residencies. Space: Chairs and desks will be fine for henna, but rangoli will require an open floor space or large tables. It can also be modified to fit smaller classroom projects, or made even bigger, such as a wall mural. For batik, a room with good ventilation, water supply, and heating arrangement for dyes and wax will be required. Fee: Negotiable, plus mileage

Additional Information:
Shakun Maheshwari demonstrates a variety of beautiful decorative arts from Rajasthan and other regions of India.

Throughout India, art is a part of everyday life in most households. Traditional decorative arts, many of which are temporary in nature, are used to bring a sense of beauty, richness, and good fortune to homes, temples, festivals, and weddings.

One such art form, rangoli, involves the creation of intricate designs on the surface of floors. These designs are made from rice flour, colored chalk, ground beans, or fresh flowers. The choice of material varies by region and by the occasion for which the patterns are made. Rangoli is done to welcome guests to the home, to decorate places of worship, and as part of weddings and other special events. Shakun Maheshwari learned mandna, a style of rangoli from Rajasthan, from her grandmother and other relatives. She has also learned several regional styles from southern India.

Another traditional art that Shakun practices is henna, the creation of beautiful designs on hands. In India, henna is most associated with weddings, although it is also used for festivals and everyday adornment. Using powder from the henna plant, women make a paste that is painted on the body in elaborate patterns. Like rangoli, there are regional styles for henna. At the same time, there is also a good amount of individual creativity that goes into the design work. For brides who are tense from the elaborate preparations for their weddings, henna work is a relaxing break. The process of making wedding designs can take 2 or 3 hours, and during this time the bride is able to sit and socialize with other young women, while older women bring them refreshments. In addition, because many marriages in India are arranged, henna designs help to break the ice between newly married couples. By discussing the patterns and searching for hidden elements such as the husband's name, the new husband and wife have a playful way to get to know each other better.

Shakun feels that these temporary art forms offer American audiences more than just a view of another culture's traditions. Their temporary nature provides a different perspective, a learning process that is more important than the product itself. Henna fades after a few days, and rangoli designs are swept away. By learning to make them, you also learn to let go, to accept their impermanence, and to know that you are able to freshly create them later.

Shakun Maheshwari offers many kinds of demonstrations, residencies, and workshops. Henna can be done in many settings. Rangoli requires open floor space or large tables, although it can be adapted for smaller classroom projects. There is a similar form that can be painted on walls using pastes made from powdered materials. Shakun can also demonstrate batik, the creation of ornate decorative patterns using wax, dye, and paper or cloth. For longer residencies, she can design large-scale projects, give talks, present slides, and offer hands-on experience with food, costumes, language, art, music, and dance.