PaintBrush Art Community draws ably on Rajasthan Carnival 2025 canvas

Gulf Today

08-05-2025

The Rajasthan Carnival 2025 was hosted by the Rajasthan Business and Professional Group and Indian Peoples Forum on April 27 at Zabeel Ladies Club, under the patronage of Rajasthan Foundation, Rajasthan Government and Indian Consulate Dubai. More than 7000 attendees took part in the event which was inaugurated by Indian Minister of Culture and Minister of Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Consul General of India, Satish Sivan, along with Raju Mangodiwala, Vice President, Jaipur Jewellers Association.
The Carnival hosted 53 exhibitors, saw traditional cultural performances with a heritage art corner by PaintBrush Art Community which recreated Rajasthani and Indian scenes in the UAE, plus traditional delicacies from homepreneurs. The event was supported by Bank of Baroda and VPBG. The Carnival also witnessed the official launch of a book on Rajasthan titled 'From Thar to the Top', with the launch being attended by dignitaries and delegates. A quiz contest and competitions on best décor for stalls was also part of the programme.
Moonlit Mehfil by Shafiya Aslam Ahamed.
The highlight of the event perhaps was a performance by Kerala Mangalam Band who played Rajasthani rhythms. Ahmed Al Hosani, the first Emirati classical singer, performed for the audience. Al Hosani, who has entranced audiences with his captivating baritone, has secured the prestigious Middle East Best Singer Award in 2023, the best UAE live singer award and the UAE First International Classical Singer of the year award in 2023. He is a founding member of the Emirati Musicians Association.
PaintBrush Art Community presented its artists, who raised the bar with their talent. Community Founder Sonal Purohit and her group of artists exhibited 20 artworks on the Rajasthan theme. Artists were given special attention by the Indian Minister and other dignitaries. 'It was a blockbuster exhibition,' said Sonal Purohit. '17 artworks got sold. It is perhaps the first time ever in the art scene of the UAE, this has happened.'
Raj Shekar Reddy's composition.
She added that the aim of the PaintBrush Art Community has been to reach every segment of society and raise standards. 'The Carnival, which was attended by a cross section of society, gave us a wide platform to showcase our merit,' she said. The cherry on the cake, according to her, 'was to see the most popular artwork from my Roar Series in the book launched by the Rajasthan Business and Professional Group. It was also the first time we hosted an art exhibition on a folk theme — it proved to be our most successful art exhibition.'
Artists from three nationalities participated and showcased their art in the show. They were: Ankkitta Mittal, Anjini Prakash Laitu, Praghathi Srinivas, Raj Shekar Reddy, Smitashree Balaji, Bansi Rupera, Radha Bhatia, Heena Jain, Richa Jain, Sarla Tated, Sonal Purohit, Minakshi Karn, Sana Bano Moin Ahmed and Dr. Seema Upadhye (all from India); Shafiya Aslam Ahamed (Azerbaijan); and Mussarat Yasmin Abid (Pakistan).
Rajasthani painting by Smitashree Balaji.
'The PaintBrush Art Community retained, or shall we say, has increased its popularity,' said Sonal Purohit. 'We have reached the masses through art since we wish to take art exhibitions out of closed art galleries and make it reach the public. Art makes the world a more compassionate place as artists of all nationalities unite to spread love and harmony. That is the need of today's world.' Dr. Romit Purohit, who is also Vice President of Rajasthan Business and Professional Group and a health professional, besides being co-founder of PaintBrush Art Community, ensured the artists were provided with ample exposure in the space, and their artworks found new abodes. As host on the stage, he kept the proceedings moving and the audience engaged with his trademark vim and wit.
'From Thar to the Top' is a testament to how the people of Rajasthan, who call the Thar Desert their home, evolved to reach the top as businessmen, professionals, doctors, chartered accountants, educationists and entrepreneurs. The story of their journey is told by the famous traditional mascots of Rajasthan - Dhola and Maru – and encompasses the history and the present and future of the development of Rajasthan in India and the UAE.
The volume is conceptualised by Rajasthan Business and Professional Group, under the patronage of Rajasthan Foundation, Government of Rajasthan and Indian Consulate Dubai. PaintBrush Art Community was founded by Sonal Purohit and Dr. Romit Purohit in 2018, with the purpose of providing a platform for artists and artisans 'to demonstrate their art skills, liaise with similar mindsets, connect creative minds and evoke art in an infectious way.' The motto of the Community is 'for the artists and by the artists' and its mission is to promote art in the UAE and beyond the borders of the country, in all genres and segments.
Sonal Purohit smiles beside her artwork.
Rajasthan (Land of Kings) is a State in North India. It covers 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area and is the largest Indian State by area. On its northwestern side, it has the wide and inhospitable Thar Desert (also known as the Great Indian Desert). Rajasthani painting, a style of miniature painting, developed the 16th–19th century from Western Indian manuscript illustrations, and Mughal influence. 'But Rajasthani painting differs from the Mughal painting of the imperial ateliers at Delhi and the provincial courts, in its bolder use of colour, an abstract and conventionalised conception of the human figure, and an ornamental treatment of landscape,' says britannica.com. With the success of Carnival 2025, Season 2 has been announced. The large-scale participation of the Indian diaspora is anticipated.