In Conversation with Shilp Guru : Pandit Mahesh Chand Sharma

It was an honour to meet, 71 years old (rather young) art genius Pandit Mahesh Chand Sharma ji, who had been honoured as “Shilp -Guru” in 2007 by then Hon. President of India. In his stall, he is engaged carving a piece of wood to shape into a intriguing art for. Calm, balanced with a gentle smile on his face….his personality itself talk about vast experiences that he holds.

He carried forward the ancestors’ legacy and evolved it to make the world realised this great art of India even after facing all the odds with a contemporary solutions. This craft existed since last 200 years and their ancestors used to do carvings on “Elephant Teeth”. But, post international ban to use this material, he between 1985 and 1994 choose “Sandal Wood” as an alternative to protect this art. When he realised that the he is not getting the right quality of the Chandan Wood, in 1994, he started using “Sagwaan Wood”. He explained that he learnt this craft from his father Pandit Laxman Das. He even designs fine equipments required for carving by himself. He began practising this art at the age of eight.