The patrons or listeners are often called ‘jajmans’.

Kavadias carry these portable shrines to the homes of jajmans, in a way bringing the temple to the devotee.

Since the jajmans consider the Kavad a sacred shrine, there are certain rituals to be observed, including donations to the storyteller. It is also believed that listening to these religious stories while watching the painted pictures purifies one’s soul. Kavadias travel in troupes across villages in Rajasthan, telling their stories. Sometimes, they are specially invited into people’s homes.

Making The Kavad

The process of making a Kavad is tedious, and a single Kavad can take more than a week to fashion. Kavads range in size from as small as 10 cm to 3 feet tall. The basic wooden structure of the Kavad is usually made of wood from a local tree, adusaor from mango, sheesham, semal, and sometimes even the sweet neem tree.

The process starts with a suthar cutting pieces of wood and shaping them into the panels and other parts that make up the Kavad, with simple tools like a saw. These pieces are coated with khadia, a local white chalk powder, which gives the wood a white colour.

Artist Dwarka Prasad Jangid painting the wooden panels
Artist Dwarka Prasad Jangid painting the wooden panels

The panels are then painted and decorated. A Kavad is characterised by the use of bright colours. Earlier, red was used as the base colour, on top of which different colours were used, but nowadays, Kavads come in a variety of colours. Traditionally, natural colours were used to paint them, but now mineral pigments are used.

Drawing the outline of the figures on the painted base
Drawing the outline of the figures on the painted base | Dastkari Haat Samiti via Google Arts and Culture

The artist or chitrakaar first outlines the figures and elements on the painted wooden base, using a fine brush. They are then painted, which is followed by fine, detailing. Once painted, these wooden pieces are assembled using drills, nails and hinges. Finally, a coat of varnish is applied to the Kavad, which gives it a lively sheen.

Kavad with modern-day themes
Kavad with modern-day themes

Traditionally, Kavads used to depict episodes from the lives of Ram, Vishnu and Krishna; themes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, or tales of local deities like Pabuji, Bhomiyaji and Tejaji. Today, social issues, stories for children, stories with relevant messages or educational values have also found a place on Kavads, which therefore are no longer exclusively mobile shrines. They are also used as decor pieces in urban areas.

But just like many other crafts across India, Kavad too faces an uncertain future. The unavailability of quality wood and the high price of raw materials, along with a decline in demand are major challenges for the artisans. As for the storytellers, television and other forms of media have grabbed the attention of people, who are shedding tradition in favour of technology. Sadly, even in rural India, people are no longer interested in this unique art of storytelling.

Since earning a livelihood from Kavad is becoming increasingly difficult, the younger generation is switching to other professions. And while crafts organisations like Dastkari Haat Samiti are attempting to popularise this craft through fairs and exhibitions, there’s still a lot to be done to preserve this beautiful legacy.

A Kavad piece in the Peepul Tree collection
A Kavad piece in the Peepul Tree collection

Digital platform Peepul Tree, which works closely with artisans from across India, is promoting Kavad and taking it to a global market, through its e-commerce portal. At Peepul Tree, you can find exquisite Kavads crafted by Dwarka Prasad Jangid of Bassi, who has been practicing the art of Kavad for years, following a family tradition. Kavad is truly an extraordinary craft, preserving stories and legacies. Hopefully, its own story will have a happy ending.

Laal Kavad | Peepul Tree India
Laal Kavad | Peepul Tree India

Now you can buy your very own Kavad in our history shop, hand painted by National award-winning artisan Dwarakaprasadji, whose family has been making kavads for centuries. Check it out here.

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