Documentary cum film Thewa revolves around the unsung heroes of Indian art and community that have kept alive this magnificent jewellery-making art in which fragile sheets of gold are fused on the colored glass to produce exquisite designs. This art depicts the royalty of Rajasthan. Some extraordinary pieces of this art are still preserved at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and many other museums across the world. In fact, the one in London, presented to Queen Victoria by Raja Dalpat Singh, was created by the grandfather of 96-year-old Ramniwas Rajsoni (featured in this film), currently the oldest living Thewa artisan. In this hour-long documentary, the artisans share “why do they not teach this art to the women in their families and what needs to be done to save as well as promote this art?” At present there are just 12 families who are engaged in keeping this art alive at a small town of Pratapgarh in Rajasthan. Amongst them are many National and State awardees.
Written and directed by filmmaker, photographer and writer Shivani Pandey, this film has been getting attention and appreciation from media personalities, University professors and students. Shivani has served as a jury member for various film festivals and has exhibited her work in India and internationally. Sharing the story behind the film’s production she said, “with support of an institution like IGNCA, a rare art like Thewa is being preserved in its original form. Without patronage such arts might not survive for long so their preservation and conservation is very important”. Writer Malvika Joshi said, “through such films our arts and culture can be preserved.” Former member of the central board of film certification, Atul Gangwar opined that films based on arts and culture of other states too should be brought out to our audiences. He also said that films like they are doing a great job of preserving the arts and culture of our country.
Founder and former senior advisor DD Kisan, Kisan leader Naresh Sirohi praised the film’s in-depth research and production quality.
