Intricacy in Every Stroke

At 'Treasures of India' in Mumbai's Jehangir Art Gallery, we came across Babulal Marotia, one of the artists showcasing his work. The National Award-winning Jaipur miniature painter spoke to us about his commitment to India's miniature heritage.

- Text * Sonakshi Kurbah

Global acclaim and 31,000 mentees later, his journey still returns to humble beginnings. He was a boy who packed soaps, sold coal, made tea, and held fast to his art.

Born in Jaipur in 1961, Marotia grew up in a home where art was the family language. Trained by his father, the late Shri Nathulal Marotia, and mentored by the legendary Padma Shri Kripal Singh Shekhawat, he picked up the brush at the age of ten.

“I started at ten. Today I’m 64. That’s 54 years with the brush,” he smiles, recalling afternoons spent learning the delicate movements that define India’s miniature schools — Kota, Bundi, Alwar, Jaipur, Jodhpur and the lyrical grace of Mughal art.

Before he fully committed to art, Marotia packed soaps on a factory floor, delivered them on a bicycle, sold coal and firewood, and ran a bustling tea stall.

“For two years, I served tea. I washed cups, carried trays to nearby shops... but the passion for painting never left.”

The Turning Point

Success came slowly and then all at once.