Visitors attending the Surajkund Diwali fair in Faridabad are being drawn to a remarkably unique art form on display at the grounds. The ordinary silver foil paper that is routinely used inside households to keep rotis fresh and pack food items is being transformed into breathtakingly beautiful and intricate paintings. When people attending the exhibition lay their eyes on these detailed works of art, they are instantly left astonished because it is nearly impossible to guess at first glance that such fine creations could be fashioned out of everyday kitchen wrapping paper.
This extraordinary craft is the creation of Chandrabhan Pandey, a skilled artisan hailing from Pratapgarh, who has been passionately dedicated to this artistic field for the past 20 years. Passersby at the fair constantly halt to admire his unique paintings and show immense enthusiasm in purchasing them. His remarkable dedication to his craft and intricate detailing are pulling crowds from all corners, giving this traditional yet distinct style of artwork a vibrant new platform to showcase its true brilliance.
Sharing the journey of how he entered this profession, Chandrabhan Pandey noted that he has been involved in painting for two decades. He explained that he initially worked within the same creative sector, which is where he picked up the foundational techniques of painting. Following that, he mastered the art of embossing and eventually decided to launch his own independent venture. Today, he continues to push this craft forward, establishing a distinct identity for himself while constantly exploring new creative dimensions.
His artistic repertoire includes a diverse range of designs rather than just a single template. Using silver foil paper, he skillfully shapes everything from devotional images of deities to various complex patterns. He also creates miniatures as well as large figures of the chariot belonging to the Sun God. In addition to foil work, he designs modern art paintings on iron paper. The entire process requires an immense amount of focus and attention to detail, as fashioning precise designs out of delicate paper is far from easy. The final paintings are crafted with such perfection that onlookers can hardly tell they originated from ordinary wrapping material.
Through his unique enterprise, he is not only sustaining his own livelihood but also empowering numerous other individuals. Chandrabhan Pandey stated that around 30 to 33 people work alongside him in his workshop, meaning his creative initiative is actively generating employment opportunities for others. For his outstanding artistic contributions, he has received honors at various prestigious platforms across the country. Alongside being felicitated at events associated with national Khadi, he has earned accolades at the Swarn Jayanti Park in Ghaziabad as well as across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, regularly traveling to government-backed fairs to display his collection.
Detailing the pricing structure of his creations, he mentioned that the cost of his paintings begins at an affordable 50 rupees and goes up to 15,000 to 16,000 rupees. Explaining the varied dimensions, he stated that his smallest painting measures roughly 4 inches in width and 9 inches in length, while the largest masterpiece spans an impressive 8 by 4 feet. The price of each piece is strictly determined based on its overall size, intricacy, and specific design.
Discussing his experience at the ongoing event, Pandey mentioned that this is his very first visit to the Surajkund Diwali fair. Usually, he takes his artworks to exhibitions hosted around Darbhanga in Bihar. He expressed happiness over receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from attendees at the Faridabad venue as well. On the personal front, he shares that he has a son who is currently preparing for civil services examinations. Chandrabhan Pandey continues to expand his creative horizon through his distinctive craft, making these silver foil artworks a massive center of attraction at the Surajkund Diwali fair.
