It began with a single hashtag. Two hobby artists, Aishwarya Magesh and Lakshmi Radhakrishnan worked for a themed Instagram Challenge organized by another producer Megha Mocharla. While staring at each other’s pieces, they had a conversation and discovered a common love for the Indian folk traditions. Therefore, he decided to set his own subjects and invited anyone to join, novice or experienced.
Together they created artistic folklore (@Artisticfolklore), an Instagram hub, where folk art challenges go quietly, yet continuously, after weeks. Their use soon required an additional pair of hands and that is when Jyoti joined Naveen Sharma. What started as individual activities soon evolved into a shared place, where artists and enthusiasts discovered themes, learned new techniques and celebrated India’s artistic heritage together.
The Indian folk art bears centuries of tradition, which is deeply inherent in regional customs, story and religious symbolism. In today’s rapidly developed artistic landscape, folk art is getting a new speed through online platforms, attached by emotional artists, who want to re -connect with their heritage.
Virtual handler
Three founders come from different backgrounds – Aishwarya, originally a fashion designer from Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu, with a degree in costume technology, now lives in the UK; Lakshmi, a medical data scientist from Kerala, raised in Chennai and now lives in America, while Jyoti Naveen Sharma of Mumbai has a master in bio -chemicals. Similarly, all three also had artistic inclination, such as, Aishwarya, acts as an independent artist teacher in London, using art to conduct workshops for children and adults on mental good. In addition, their personal works are displayed in Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, UK.
Jyoti Naveen Sharma’s Fad Art depicted Hanuman Chalisa. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Lakshmi bowed towards Kerala Karna Kala and Thanjavur art and entered deep into folk arts during the epidemic. Jyoti returns with a business in the textile industry. When her daughter joined the business, Jyoti returned to her long -wanted passion and learned various artforms from prestigious artists like Alok Ranjan Sahu (Pattitra), Mohan Prajapati and Dhani Ram (Kangra Short), and Ajit Dilipabhai (Mata Ni Pacheedi).
All three live in different continents and different time regions, but found a way to cooperate virtually to plan strategies and workflows.
Inherent in tradition
Historically, folk art was a community-managed practice-it should be a mural picture on the walls of the temple, complex story or ritual symbols staring at homes through scroll painting. Today, in the world dominated by contemporary art and digital illustration, traditional folk art is getting new relevance. Online cooperation allows artists to engage in cross-regional interactions and detect styles beyond indigenous traditions.
Aishwarya Magesh with Lippan Art, depiction of an urban scene | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Through these collaborations, many were introduced to low-minded forms. While Madhubani is the most familiar, group initiatives have inspired artists to detect fewer traditions such as Mata Nee Pacedi (Gujarat) and Bhil Tribal Art (Madhya Pradesh).
Old and new
An interesting part of modern touch artists lend to these art forms. While some recreate them as digital paintings, others take contemporary subjects. For example, ‘Fad on Wheels’, recently a theme saw artists using the PHAD style of Rajasthan on bicycles, buses, even skateboards.
Says Lakshmi, “Over time, cooperation has not only expanded artistic awareness, but has also improved significantly in technology and execution.”
Breaking barrier ‘n’ boundaries
This initiative has drawn participants from all areas of life – housewife, student, working professional and senior citizens. They find this platform as a way to make and connect with others. Aishwarya, who works with people suffering from dementia, believes, folk art, with repeated patterns, is cool.
Anudharti Chauhan, a data engineer at NOIDA, has described the experience as medical and credited the initiative to broaden his artistic horizon. He also gets very unique advice in this group.
For Sonam Bansal, a software professional in Indore, the platform was all about discovering all folk arts and allowing it to re -connect with India’s cultural roots.
A peacock picture of Anukrati Chauhan in Madhubani | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Similarly, Chennai -based housewife Shyamala Devi took the initiative with Kolam (Rangoli), which is a complex ground art in front of homes.
The group has also attracted artists from all over the world. A doctor located in the US makes Deepti Chini, separate art and craft work. “When I participate in a subject, I know that I am making art with a group, not in separation.”
The initiative remains non-commercial, such as no entry fee is collected, but all need to pin a schedule and founders say that #ArtisticFolklore, the founders say.
Published – June 11, 2025 06:18 pm IST
