Stretched Diptych Portrait Painting Made by Natural Dyes 'Jahangir Nurjahan' Item ID: 2669889265

"Hello, friends! I am Gopal Prasad Sharma from India. I come from a family of artists. My forefathers were artists for the royal family of Bijolia. My friends say that I am dedicated, innovative, and energetic. "Practice makes a man perfect." This line motivates me to bring out the best in myself.

"Since my childhood, painting has been my hobby, which has now turned into my passion. I am the 8th generation continuing the art as a legacy of our family. I started as a wall painter in my village and would often travel to different villages to paint walls with my father, who was my guru. I painted on paper as a hobby and later adopted miniature painting as my profession.

"I began working as a professional artist in 1980. I made a name for myself in the genre of miniature art by working on handmade paper with natural colors. I created detailed paintings based on the culture and tradition of Rajasthan, as well as the Mughal theme, which is the oldest theme in Indian miniature art. I always create my own themes and subjects in my paintings. I mainly execute my paintings with vegetable colors, stone colors, and gold-plated silver.

"I am trying to spread this diminishing miniature art form and help the younger generations learn this art. I teach this art form free of cost to students who come to learn. I am a world record holder for creating the smallest painting on a single piece of mustard seed and for making the world's biggest 'Ram Darbar' on paper, which is the largest and finest miniature painting in the history of miniature art.

"I have received several awards for my work, including the Kala Nidhi Award in 2020, the Shilp Guru Award in 2018, the Kalamani Award in 2010, and the National Award in 2007 presented by the President of India, which is the highest civilian award in India. These awards recognize my research, artwork, and efforts to spread knowledge about traditional miniature art. I have also won the Paramparagat International Award in 2014 and hold the Rajasthan State Award for 1998-99 and the Maharana Sajjan Singh Award for 1998-99, among several other national and international honors. I have been nominated six times for the Padma Shree Award, which I am hoping to receive.

"I am very glad to be associated with Novica, where I can exhibit my paintings and spread the traditional miniature art all over the world."