The concept of Wildlife Paintings in India was revolutionized by a very noble venture called the Ranthambore School of Art . This school of art was formed with only one purpose, to save the tigers of the Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary . The school recruits students from neighboring villages and towns and trains them to be self-sufficient artists. These local students are sensitized to the dismal plight of the fast diminishing Indian Tiger.
Tyger, tyger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
Framing the symmetry...
Watercolor Paintings and black and white life size sketches created by the students of the Ranthambore School of Art have an amazing effect. Some of them manage to make the majestic animal come alive and it seems as if the tiger will wake up from its reverie any moment and walk around the room. The artists of the Ranthambore School of Art use their keen observation powers to breathe life into their wildlife paintings. The skillful hands of the these students of Wildlife Paintings indeed frame the “fearful symmetry” remarkably well…
Ranthambore National Park
A hunting preserve for the Maharaja of Jaipur at one point of time, Ranthambore National park is today a comfortable home for a royalty of a different kind, the majestic Indian Tiger. Tigers can be spotted in this beautiful sanctuary even during the day, at times.
The Park covers an area of 392 sq. km. is nestled between the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges. This deciduous forest was once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India. The rugged terrain, hills and open valleys with lakes and pools makes it a romantic and a thrilling place to be in. The park's royal past manifests itself in forms of little architectural gems in the picturesque ruins that dot the Park
The park has many indigenous and gypsy settlements around its fringes.
Project Tiger
In 1988 in Sawai Madhopur, a town at the fringes of Ranthambore National Park, a group of artists who were committed to the preservation of wildlife in India decided that they would undertake an innovative project, a project to save tigers. These painters were also involved in conservation activities along with village children. The aim of these painters was to preserve a beautiful image of tigers in the minds of normal people so that they can overcome the fear and ill feelings that they have towards the animal. They also aimed to create awareness amongst the local people about the importance of tiger preservation. Various camps are organized to enlighten people about the wildlife around them.
The likes of Valmik Thapar (a famous Wildlife Painter and a founder member of the school) has ensured that this project is started, now it's up to us to keep it afloat.
Wildlife Paintings, especially those that belong to the Ranthambore School of Art, provides us with a great if not ominous lesson- if we do not take steps to conserve what is around us we will soon lose them. Tigers may end up being just a painting on the wall. The Wildlife Paintings that these able artists create, chides us for not being more proactive. And it is high time that we are chided.
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