Gaurangi Sharma, a final-year Textile Design student at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Kolkata, paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav at Samatva Bhavan, the Chief Minister’s residence, on Friday. During the visit, Sushri Gaurangi presented a batik painting to Dr. Yadav, inspired by the Indonesian Ramayana and depicting the Swayamvar of Shri Ram and Sita Mata. The artwork, created using Ujjain’s traditional batik technique, is part of a project under the Mrignayani Yuva Mission. Sushri Gaurangi is the daughter of senior journalist Shri Manoj Sharma.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav appreciated Gaurangi Sharma’s artwork and wished her a bright and successful future. He described her creation as a unique fusion of Indonesia’s batik heritage and the sacred city of Ujjain—home of Mahakal—highlighting the shared cultural legacy between the two nations. He noted that the Ramayana is revered in Indonesia with as much devotion as in India.
CM Dr. Yadav said that Gaurangi’s artworks, based on the Kakawin Ramayana, offer a fresh and captivating interpretation of Ramlila through textile art. The series, titled Kakawin Ramayana, reimagines the Javanese version of the epic as contemporary wall art using traditional batik techniques. Drawing inspiration from Wayang Kulit, Indonesia’s classical shadow puppet tradition, the collection artistically explores themes of sacrifice, courage, and tolerance.
Each piece in the collection transforms mythology into a journey of self-reflection through wax and colour, turning every scene into an emotional and spiritual experience. The collection was brought to life in collaboration with Ujjain’s master craftsman, Shri Syed Abdul Majid, under the guidance of Mrignayani’s Managing Director, Shri Madan Kumar. This initiative is part of Mrignayani’s ongoing effort to connect traditional crafts with the modern creative expressions of the youth.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also received an outline of the complete series of artworks presented by Gaurangi.