Carve out the connection between Yoga and art

If you are on social media, chances are that you must have seen the viral images of leaf art during the International Yoga Week in 2019.

It went viral for more than two weeks spreading the message of International Yoga Day.

What a beautiful and creative way of celebrating International Yoga Day, Isn’t it?

The craft caught more eyes than expected. Sadhana Kulkarni, the artist behind the art, personally practices yoga early in the morning. Ms. Kulkarni gets up at 5:30 in the morning and starts her day with Surya Namaskar, her favourite asana. Surya Namaskar asana has many health benefits.

 

 

“I believe that yoga keeps

my mind under control and

inspires me to

think creatively.”

 

 

Central to the concept of yoga, Ms. Kulkarni uses peepal tree and Banyan Tree leaf as a canvas to carve out the art on the leaf.

This idea of leaf art is similar to paper carving in China from where it originated. Ms. Kulkarni with the intention to utilise the free time after work took up to learning leaf carving. Today, she carves out for almost all important events – be it Save the Girl Child, Save Water Day, festivals and many more.

Carving a leaf is not an easy process. It takes several steps:

• Collecting leaves
• Selecting the right leaf with smooth texture
• Cleaning it before use
• Finalising the concept
• Drawing the outline
• Carving
• Curing
• And finally mounting it

After choosing the leaf with good texture, Ms. Kulkarni sketches on the leaf meticulously. Then she delicately cuts through the leaf using a pointed cutter protecting the veins. Veins are an important component in a leaf art as they strengthen and accentuate the concept. She scraps out any unwanted part and shapes the cut-out well. The artist sits with the determination to make the art perfect.

Later, she improves the focus on the subject by making peripheral designs. Lastly, she uses resin to enhance the colour of the leaf.

And, you have a leaf that has regained its artistic value.