National Award winner Mahaveer Swami’s exhibition of contemporary miniature paintings at Galerie 88 titled ‘Tradition and Continuity’ is visually rewarding and thought-provoking. Swami belongs to the group of painters who have been working diligently from Emperor Jehangir’s time to develop the Bikanir style which is a confluence of the traditions of Persian, Mugh-al and Rajasthani miniature paintings.

Although Swami received a diploma in modern painting and sculpture from the College of Art, Jaipur, he opted to uphold the tradition of his ancestors. He paints on hand-made paper and makes the squirrel hair brush himself. He grinds natural pigments, including lapis lazuli and gold leaf. For black he uses burnt camphor.

Swami’s works include a museum of Sufi saints, kings, courtiers, calligraphers, arc-hers on elephants, a princess smoking hookha or listening to music, a standing deer and a crouching lion. To this he has added scenes from present-day Rajasthani households; for example, women worshipping the tulsi, grinding corn or baking chapatis.

The patterns of culture is changing fast, but Swami obstinately clings on to his medieval heritage and tries to acquaint viewers with the art and style of a feudal world that will eventually die out. His Krishna and Gopinis will move even agnostic hearts.