Shri Rajesh Vaishnav is the primary artist known for Jal Saanjhi art. Rajesh Ji comes from an ordinary middle-class background and learned this art from his late father, Shri Manna Lal Vaishnav. His family has been practicing this traditional art form for over 18 generations. Rajesh Ji started Jal Saanjhi painting at the age of 10-12 and has been practicing this art for more than 50 years now. His sons, Arun and Ankur, are also involved in creating Jal Saanjhi artworks.
To reach out to Rajesh ji for creating Jal Sanjhi artworks for any event, please write to us at wecare@memeraki.com
Participation and Achievements:
Rajesh Ji's talent in Jal Saanjhi art has garnered media attention, and several news channels such as NDTV India, Zee News, AajTak, and India TV have featured his work. His Jal Saanjhi artwork on the theme of the COVID-19 pandemic was showcased on India TV and received appreciation from viewers. Furthermore, an episode on Rajesh Ji's Jal Saanjhi art was featured on "It Happens Only in India" show on Fox History & Entertainment.
Rajesh Ji has participated in various exhibitions and events to showcase his art, including:
- Lokotsava 1995 in Mumbai, organized by West Zone Culture Centre on January 15, 1995.
- Folk Dance Festival & Crafts Fair on Republic Day in New Delhi on January 26, 1995, organized by the Department of Culture, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
- Udaipur Rural Mela India (URMI) held between 2 to 6 October 1999 at Shilpgram, Udaipur.
- Maati Kai Rang - Jal Sanjhi Program on April 3rd, 2019, on the occasion of Hindu Navvarsh organized by Bhartiya Navvarsh Samaroh Samiti, Udaipur.
- Rajesh Ji has also demonstrated his art in the presence of prominent personalities like National Saint Morari Bapu and Jain Muni Shri Tarun Sagar Ji Maharaj.
- Recently, Rajesh Ji showcased his Jal Saanjhi art at the G20 Sherpa Summit in Udaipur on December 4, 2022, in the presence of India's Sherpa, Shri Amitabh Kant, and other Sherpas from various countries. The artwork received appreciation from all the participants.
The news and photos of this event were covered by various news agencies, including Hindustan Times, Times of India, Vietnam Times, Al Jazeera, and Outlook, both nationally and internationally.
Rajesh Ji's dedication and skill in Jal Saanjhi art have earned him widespread recognition and praise from art enthusiasts and viewers alike. His unique contributions have not only preserved this traditional art form but also brought it to the attention of a broader audience through various media platforms.
About Jal Sanjhi Art:
In Jal Saanjhi, intricate designs are drawn on the water surface using dry colors. This form of Saanjhi is particularly famous at the Shri Shri Shri 1008 Thakur Ji Shri Govardhan Nath Swami Temple in Udaipur district, Rajasthan.
This art form has been practiced for over 50 years by the renowned artist Shri Rajesh Vaishnav. The Vaishnav family has been practicing this art for about 500 years, and it has become an integral part of the 5-day festival celebrated during the Pitru Paksha (from Krishna Ekadashi to Amavasya) at the temple.
The Jal Saanjhi art has a historical connection as it is said that during the atrocities of Mughal invaders, Hindu priests and devotees would take the idols of their deities to different places to protect them. They placed the idols in the present location of the temple, and this is where the tradition of Saanjhi art began.
The depictions in the Jal Saanjhi art often illustrate various episodes from Lord Krishna's life.
Shri Govardhan Nath Swami Temple (Jal Saanjhi Temple) Information and History:
The temple, also known as the Jal Saanjhi Temple, is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Goddess Rukmini. The idols of Lord Krishna (Thakur Ji) and his consort Rukmini (Thakurain Ji) are present in the temple in the form of the Govardhan Parvat bearer.
The temple holds a history of over 500 years, and since then, the Vaishnav community has been faithfully performing worship and serving the deities. They have also carried forward the tradition of Jal Saanjhi, which has become an integral part of their heritage.
Jatipura is the same region from where the idol of Lord Shrinath Ji in the renowned Nathdwara temple arrived. The temple of Shri Govardhan Nath Swami is situated in the region of Jatipura (nowadays called Jatipura), where the idols of Lord Krishna and Goddess Rukmini were placed after facing difficulties during their journey from Gokulpura (present-day Nathdwara) to Mevad (Udaipur).
Both Saanjhi art forms, land-based and water-based, continue to be cherished and preserved by the Vaishnav community and are an integral part of their cultural heritage.
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