STRUCTURE OF THE PROPOSAL

Do a little contextual study of the area and then describe the area briefly but accurately.

One of India's numerous traditional games is Ganjifa Playing Cards. There are different interpretations of its origin. The word ganjifa makes its first appearance in India in 1527 in the dairy of Emperor Babur, but no further description is given, except that he sent Ganjifa to his friend in Sindh.

Ganjifa cards are circular and traditionally hand-made by local artisans. The precise style and arrangement of the decoration on any set is dependent on its artist. Artists involved in making Cards for the rich and wealthy had to use expensive materials. They used to craft on lac wafers, tortoise shells, ivory, engraved brass discs, mother of pearl and were decorated with precious stones and metals. Common man had Ganjifas to himself on leather, paper, stylographed palm leaves, fish scales and paper machie. Today the ganjifas are sold as a craft object.

Ganjifa signifies games related to playing cards and card games. Ganjifa today is taken over by the printed playing cards. The original Ganjifas displayed enthralling objects and showered the folk art painted by the artists. Artists have preserved the traditional art in the cards and also the main Hindu religious symbolism. Ganjifas are very beautifully packed in the sliding boxes which too are very artistically crafted. It found in some parts of India (Orissa, Maharashtra, Andhya Pradesh, M.P., Karnataka, West Bengal, etc). Basing on the peculiarty of the themes (Dasavatara cards, Ashtamalla Sara cards and Ramayana cards) we can identify 3 major regions-

- Raghurajpur near Puri district, Orissa

- Chikitigada- district of Ganjam, Orissa

- Paralakhemandi- district of Ganjam, Orissa

Play is a basic element of human life and the playing of games is found virtually every society in the world. A traditional game can be itself a rich and authentic expression of a culture, while also giving rise to artefacts of great diversity and beauty. In the last five thousand years, Indian Subcontinent has shown greater creativity than probably any other part of the world in the range and quality of its games, whether of chance or skill, and of its game-related artefacts. In daily life, at all levels of society from village to court, the playing of traditional games and contests constituted for both sexes a link between childhood and adulthood. Playing games from youth into maturity served not only as a pastime but in some cases, a mode of learning.

Ganjifa practically died out in its homeland when the orthodox Shah Abbas II of Persia (162-67) banned the game. In India, however, the game and its cards spread over most of the country. Although initially played by Muslims, it was taken up enthusiastically by the Hindu population and the cards were adapted to suit their taste. Even today, in Orissa, cards are still being played, but elsewhere it has been entirely superseded by games with the standard British pack.

Why is this area important to you?

I am always inclined towards studying the traditional art forms of India, their illustration style, the technique, colour, etc. The area contains artists who have managed to preserve the traditional art form. It will help me in understanding the art and how can these art forms help us in our future.

c What is the purpose of your research? Why is it useful?

The purpose of this research is to create awareness among the youth of India about the traditional form of playing cards. The research will help in understanding the history of traditional playing cards. It will encourage the artists of Ganjifa and promote the art as well.

d. What are the key resources you will use for your contextual study in terms of books, exhibitions, literature, visual material, etc.

Pankaja Sethi- graduate from NIFT Delhi

Book- “Ganjifa: the playing cards of India”-Leyden,Rudolf Von

Book- “Traditional art of India and cultural change”

Book- “Traditional painting of Orissa”

Book- “Ain-i-Akbari” (Abul Fazl’s biography)

Book- “Shrittwanidhi”

Card Collector- Banamali

Card Collector- Bijaya Kumar Mahopatra

Card Collector- Subhas Chitari

Cards Painter- Prakash Chandra Mahpatra

Cards Painter- Siatal Fouzdar IGNCA, New Delhi

Dastakar’s Exhibition at IGNCA, New Delhi

Dr. Pramila Lochan- IGNCA

National Museum, New Delhi

e. What is the overview question your research is going to answer? What are the smaller questions?

THEME
What is Ganjifa and how has the visual appearance of the cards developed over a period of time?

QUESTIONS
1- What is the history of Ganjifa and how has it evolved in recent times?
2- What is the look and feel (motifs, graphics, colour, illustration style and technique)of Ganjifa playing cards?
3- How is Ganjifa different from the other playing cards?
4- Do these cards have potential educational values?
5- Does this traditional art form influence /interest the youth (15- 25 years) of India?

For each research question identify the method by which you will collect data. Give details of data, questions, etc. E.g If you are going to interview students – how many would you interview? What are your questions?

Ques 1- Literature Review, books, case studies, interviewing the card makers, interviewing the scholars and the people of Orissa who are related to the art form

Ques 2- Interviewing the artists and their families, interviewing the scholars, case studies, reading books, getting visual material

Ques 3- Interviewing the youth, questionnaire for youth and people of Orissa, Interviewing (audio) the scholars, reading books, case studies

Ques 4- Interviewing the youth, case studies, questionnaire for youth and people of Orissa, reading books, literature review