The vanishing craft of Nail Art

The ancient art form thrived during the fifth century with kings and emperors appreciating the art, it fast became a growing art technique which flourished for centuries

Rajamahendravaram: The first thing that comes to once mind when talking about nail art is the different assortments that adorn fingernails. But, nail art here actually refers to the ancient form of drawing using nails and no other tools. Nail art which originated in the fifth century was widely appreciated and encouraged by the Kings and Emperors.

Due to changing times and the use of more refined tools and machinery, the ancient art form is slowly waning. The art is enlisted on extinguished list of art forms by the Union government. A renowned nail art exponent Dr Ravi Parasa, who is one among three international nail art exponents shared his views with The Hans India.

So far, Ravi Parasa carved as many as 96,000 nail art pictures and exclusively 2,222 of lord Vinayaka in various forms including, Omkararupa and Akshararupa. It took 205 days to create Lord Vinayaka pictures, he said.

Talking about the birth of the art form, Ravi Parasa said Sakunthala the wife of King Dushyantha, used to draw pictures on lotus leaves in those days which continued and later the art flourished for centuries. The great poet Mahakavi Kalidas also discussed about the nail art in his works, he added.

Ravi Parasa, who was working as a government teacher, resigned in 2005 to spread awareness about the nail art form. He put up as many as 100 live shows including, 50 expos across the country creating awareness about the ancient art form.

He said the art form can be protected if the department of Cultural Affairs extends support and cooperation to conduct expos and awareness campaigns which is the need of the hour and added that it is expensive to conduct expos to protect the art.

Ravi Parasa said the government can promote the art form, as it already has tie-ups with 40 countries under cultural activity programmes and nail art being an international art form can only benefit the programme.

He said so far, Telugu Book of World Records, Bharat Book of Records, Andhra Book of Records, Book of State Records, State World Records, United Book of Records and Varma Book of Records registered his artistic achievements.The artist said, “Samavedam Shunmukha Sharma is my inspiration and I mastered the art in few days. Any picture can be carved basing on it.”

By S S Chary