Devaki Nandan Sharma

Artist, Fresco Painter

Born:

Died:

Devaki Nandan Sharma was one of Rajasthan's best known artists who lived and taught at the Banasthali (Vanasthali) Vidyapeeth, Jaipur, the institution exclusively for girls, for several years.

In 1988, the Bangalore University Basketball team, of which I was a member, went to Jaipur to take part in the All India University Championship, that was hosted by Banasthali University. For most of us Bangaloreans who were growing up and studying in the city, the university campus was totally impressive. Fully residential, for students and staff, it was a township by itself, with just about everything - nursery to higher education, a flying school, excellent sports infrastructure, whatever shops and entertainment one would need. I recall that I bought material for three kurtas and one salwar (that matched all the three kurtas) from the khadi bhandar and gave it to the tailor shop for stitching. The tournament went on for about ten days, so before we left my clothes were ready, very well tailored, and they totally cost me Rs 135! As you can imagine, the salwar was much used and got worn out, but the three khadi kurtas - well, I still have them and wear them occasionally to this day!

One of my khadi kurtas from Banasthali (1988), in 2011

It was much later that I learnt that Banasthali is a much sought after place for education for girls.

"If I had been a girl I would have come to Banasthali for my education" - Jawaharlal Nehru (1945)

"Banasthali is enshrined in my heart" - Mahatma Gandhi (1946)

While at Banasthali, in-between practice sessions and matches, we used to roam the campus and on one of the evenings, we stumbled upon the house of Devaki Nandan Sharma, one of the faculty members from the Art Department. I vaguely remember that a couple of young boys told us that this was the artist whose paintings adorned the walls of the Banasthali and Jaipur Railway Stations. They took us into the house and we got to meet Devaki Nandanji. When I requested for his autograph, he graciously took out a greeting card that had his drawing on it, signed it and gave it to me. And in keeping with traditional Indian hospitality, we were given something to eat and drink before we left.

Click to enlarge

2nd Nov 1988, Banasthali