Master Strokes 2025

nikitaparmar22
Jun 5
4 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

Anil Vangad- Master Warli Artist

Anil Vangad hails from a small Warli tribal village in the state of Maharashtra, but his work has been exhibited across India, Europe and the U.S. As a child, Vangad was entranced, watching his mother paint in the tribe’s traditional manner, and she taught him the techniques that imbued him with respect for its centuries-old roots. Vangad works exclusively with natural materials like rice paste, cow dung and charcoal, and advocates for other Warli painters to do the same and eschew synthetics. While his materials are historical, Vangad’s perspective is contemporary, documenting his thoughts and observations of modern village life in his paintings.

Warli painting stretches far back into undocumented history, and the forms of gods, goddesses, humans and animals that are still used today have an elemental, ancient quality. Traditionally, these figures, as well as non-figurative designs, have been painted onto houses during times of celebration, but the work has migrated to paper that can be sold. The materials used in Warli painting speak directly to the circumstances of village life and the local environment—cow dung from the animals that give sustenance, rice paste from the surrounding paddies, charcoal from the fires that are vital to life.

Mahalaxmi Karn- Master Mithila Artist

Born in 1988 in a village called Ranti in Madhubani district of Bihar, painting was a hobby as a child for Mahalaxmi. With time, it became a source of income and subsequently both income and creative expression. Mahalaxmi was fortunate to learn this art from many teachers at different points of time. Around 2011, she came in contact with Santosh Kumar Das, who luckily came from the same village. She trained under him for three years. He taught her to take this art as a form of language like any other. Under him, she relearned the alphabet of Mithila art from drawing to composition and other intricacies of the line style. She found new ground in this art.

In 2013, Mahalaxmi received a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture, India for retelling the Ramayana in Mithila style. She also contributed to the making of a photo book, based on the ancient text of Ramayana, by a French photographer named Vasantha Yoganathan. She is also involved in creating murals because that is how Mithila art began in the distant past. She collaborates with her Mithila artist husband Shantanu Das in all her art projects. Her artwork has been exhibited in many galleries in India, the US, as well as France.

July 2025: Invited to participate in IFAM, Santa Fe, USA for the second time.
April 2023: Presented a solo exhibition titled "Between Two Worlds" at Artisans' Gallery, Mumbai, India.
July 2019: Participated in the International Folk Art Market (IFAM) in Santa Fe, USA, to present her Mithila art.
April 2019: Showcased her work at the ArtRage Gallery in Syracuse, USA.
September 2018: Group exhibition titled "Ascending Roots" at Ojas Art Gallery, Delhi.
June 2017: Participated in the Indo-Bhutan Cultural Exchange Program.
January 2016: Jointly awarded the Protégé Artist (in Madhubani art) by Ojas Art at the renowned Jaipur Literature Festival.

Leela Foundation is proud to welcome two master artists from India to the Triangle this July, offering our community a unique opportunity to engage with their stories, talent, and artistry.

Anil Vangad and Mahalaxmi Karn will lead a series of events from July 16–20, with a varied schedule that provides multiple opportunities for aspiring artists and art enthusiasts to connect, learn, and be inspired.

Master Strokes 2025 Events:

Meet & Greet at Garner Performing Arts Center

When: July 16, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: 742 W Garner Rd, Garner, NC 27529

Do not miss this opportunity to meet talented Master Warli Artist, Anil Vangad, and Master Mithila Artist, Mahalxmi Karn. This is a great opportunity to hear them share about their techniques, artistic approach and journey. This is a wonderful chance to add to your art collection with a unique piece of art from these talented artists.

Free & open to all art lovers. Registration preferred - Program: Artist Meet & Greet: Karn & Vangad.

Two-Day Art Intensive Workshop

When: July 17 & 18, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location: HSNC Learning Center, RM 10, 309 Aviation Pkwy, Morrisville, NC 27560

During these two days, the artist will be working on a large collaborative Warli masterpiece or Mithila masterpiece while working alongside either of the master artists. As masters give guidance to the collaborative participants, they will have the opportunity to learn how a masters approach the work.

Supplies are included, registration required.

Art Matters in RTP

When: July 18, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Location: Sam IT Solutions, 2511 NC 54, Ste. 201, Durham, NC 27713

Hosted by Leela Foundation and Sam IT Solutions, this is another great opportunity to meet talented Master Warli Artist, Anil Vangad, and Master Mithila Artist, Mahalaxmi Karn. This is another wonderful opportunity to hear these master artists share their techniques, artistic approach, and creative journeys. Don’t miss the chance to enrich your art collection with a unique piece from these exceptionally talented artists. This event is free, and has no registration required!

One-Day Master Class: Two immersive one-day masterclasses held in tandem, choose your journey into the rich traditions of Warli or Mithila art.

When: July 19 & 20

Location: HSNC Learning Center, 309 Aviation Pkwy, Morrisville, NC 27560

Learn from talented Master Warli Artist, Anil Vangad, and Master Mithila Artist, Mahalaxmi Karn in a hands-on workshop that is tailored for each age group. During the workshop, the artist will guide participants and teach them ancient techniques that make these art form unique.

Pre-teens (8-12) and Teens (13-17): 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., July 19 or 20
Adults (18 and over): 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., July 19 or 20

Supplies are included, registration is required.

Volunteer Opportunities

We would appreciate your support as a volunteer! If you are interested in volunteering during this program, please sign-up here.

VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP

Mithila Art Work by Mahalaxmi Karn