Shekhawati Wall Plate by Master Bhairunlal Swarankar and Nand Kishore Swarankar SIZE: 11 inch (diameter) MEDIUM: Natural Colours on Handmade plate
MAKING OF THE PLATE: The base plate is a cotton canvas pasted onto a moulded plate using tamarind paste. A mixture of chalk powder and multani mitti is applied, dried, and smoothened with stone for a polished canvas. To prevent insect damage we use crushed neem leaves. With multiple layers of coating, drying, and finishing, the complete plate-making process spans three full days.
NATURAL COLOURS: This Shekhawati wall plate features a Safeda (Lime White) background from calcium carbonate. The floral tree is painted in Geru (Red Ochre) from iron oxide and Malachite Green from copper carbonate. The yellow flower centers and border details use Hartal (Orpiment Yellow). The parrots are also in Malachite Green, with Kaajal (Lamp Black) outlines from soot. The red border uses Geru, while the golden strokes likely mix Geru + Hartal for depth.Each color undergoes a meticulous elaborate process of sourcing natural materials, cleaning, crushing, mixing with water and adding adhesives.
