As it turns out this is not an Indian wedding box as I had been originally told! - made in Rajasthan, this piece is called Kavad and is mobile story-telling device that sometimes serves as a temporary temple or shrine. It is created by combining the skills of carpentry, painting and narration. As separate professions, the carpenter is called a suthar, an artist is a chitrakar, and a story teller is a bhat.
The storytelling part is, of course, the best bit. Saints, sinners, thieves, jokers, kings and queens come to life within these walls. Oft heard stories of Ramayan and Mahabharat, of local heroes and saints all jostle for space, eager to be heard and revered. The Kavad art of Rajasthan doesn’t disappoint, the box’s outermost panels usually have the guardians of the story painted on them. The storyteller opens each panel and narrates the story in all its glory. Much opening and closing of the folds later reveals the sanctum containing the image of the main deity is placed.
In essence, it is a journey to the roots. A story with many chapters written, just a few read. Multiple experiences, places, people and things springing to life-but at the right time, of course.
This one, in my opinion, is spectacular. It's unusual for so many reasons. First of all it's 23" in height and folds out to 48" acrosss. The illustrations, painted inside and out deserve close attention revealing the trials, tribulations of life.
The wood is soft so the piece reveals it's age, which I suspect is about 85 to 125 years old. I am thankful to the Indian dealer who told me the magic of this piece!
