Vadodara plays host to Ganjifa prints exhibition

Kavita Shah,Vadodara-based curator of the exhibition Ganjifa prints on deck of cards,associates the print-making on playing cards to the Mughal period popularised by Emperor Babur,as Persian word Ganjifa means a deck of playing cards.

“Ganjifa cards were circular and traditionally hand-made by local artists.

The suits were composed of 12 subjects on coloured backgrounds. The precise style and arrangement of the decoration on any set depends on the artist,” says Shah in her note about the exhibition as a curator.

The exhibition has participants from the US,Japan,South Africa and various European countries.

Silk prints,multi-plate prints,relief and even digital prints are on display at the Akruti Art Gallery in the city’s Kirti Mandir.

Vadodara is the first city in India to host the exhibition,which will later move to Ahmedabad,Mumbai and Goa.