Geeta Kapadia
Geeta has trekked extensively through the Western Ghats and the Himalayan ranges and takes keen interest in the art and artists of these regions.
She conducts workshops for university and school students reintoducing them to their heritage of Indian folk art.
She has worked as a freelance artist for the Indian-Post,Heritage and the Himalayan Journal.
She has written and illustrated a book containing her inksketches and experiences on the Himalayan treks entitled 'The Himalaya In My Sketch-book '.
Geeta Kapadia has been associated with many educational institutes in Bombay and has given illustrated talks and workshops to students on the folk art forms of India.

WORKSHOPS
I conduct Workshops on various Indian folk Arts.

It has also been the tradition in my village in Goa to draw Rangoli with white powder and
colour its forms using pigments for festivals and rituals. My training as an artist is rooted in folk art. Folk art forms in India are a living tradition. A tradition which continues to evolve through the
incorporation of modern symbols which add a further dimension to the art thus assimilating a variety of cultures into these folk art forms.

I have been trekking and travelling in the Western Ghats and in Himalayan ranges, since my college days. I took a keen interest in various folk arts in the Indian villages,
and in my travels and treks, I had plenty of opportunities to learn the many forms of folk art; much of this as after gaining experience in various forms of folk art,

I conduct work-shops on these different forms of art.

The practical nature of drawing and painting these forms enables the participant to gain a holistic experience of the style. This is permanently recorded as impressions on the
mind, so a work-shop is an actual cultural experience for an
individual. There is total freedom of expression in folk art.
There is a very interesting exchange bwteeen the participants and the teacher.
These workshops are suitable for all ages and people with limited or no knowledge of art.

A Short- Note On The Indian Folk Art

RANGOLI PAINTINGS
Rangoli is is a popular art form in all the homes in India,each region has it's own variations .
The skill is simple, the scope infinite. This floor decoration originated as a form of thanksgiving to the Earth Mother.

WARLI TRIBAL PAINTINGS
Wall paintings of the Warli tribe are one of the most ancient forms of art known to civilisation. Painted on the mud plastered wall with white rice flour, Warli art is a pictograph which narrates the cycle of life in nature and its relation to man.

MITHILA PAINTINGS
It was in the city of Mithila Sita was married to Rama. The walls of Mithila were painted by the people to welcome Rama and to celebrate their wedding. The tradition still continues in Mithila although this folk art is now transferred on paper for urban dwellers.

HIMALAYAN THANGKA PAINTINGS
Thangka (Scroll )paintings in Buddhist style from the Himalayan regions of India.
These paintings celebrate different attributes of Buddha in the form of deities and symbols.
This is a deeply symbolic style and each Thangka has a meaning. They are often used as
aids to meditation and each colour used within them has a special spiritual significance.

BLOCK PRINTING (ON HAND-MADE PAPER)
Block printing on paper and cloth follows the great tradition of weavers in India.
There is variety of styles in this folk art yet it conveys a design simplicity which is easily followed by village women.

All these folk art forms are vivid and part of a living tradtion. These workshops provide an infinite scope development and may be seen as stepping stones in the artisitc development of the participant or as a complete process in themselves.