A handicraft artist, Birdichand followed his mother’s advice to learn the traditional art to overcome his financial struggles. He thinks an artist must have an inquisitive bent of mind to understand the nuances of the art.

Birdichand Mali is a wooden handicraft artist from Kishangarh, Rajasthan. He has been doing wooden art for the past thirty-five years. He had learned this art from his maternal uncle, Shivram Gehlot, who was a professional artist.

Remembering his childhood, Birdichand says he had been interested in drawing since his childhood. When he was in sixth grade, his uncle asked her mother to send him to his place to learn professional art because he was interested in drawing and painting. There he learned the traditional art of Nathdwara style Pichhwai, Bani-Thani paintings, Kishangarh style, and many more art styles. After spending fifteen years learning different art styles, he returned to Kishangarh and started his own work.

Speaking about his challenges, Birdichand says he had to wander to sell his artwork in different cities in Rajasthan. One of his friends asked him to visit the Rajasthan government’s department, where he could get help to participate in different traditional art competitions.

He visited the department and was encouraged by one of the officials to develop art on wood. He started working on the idea, and with the help of different art books, he developed special artwork on wood based on the different seasons of the year. His artwork was very much appreciated.

In his personal life, he faced a difficult time when his mother was diagnosed with cancer. He says during that phase of distressed days, his art helped him overcome the stress.

Birdichand suggests that the youth who want to pursue traditional art should have an inquisitive perspective to understand the nuances of the art.

Birdichand says his inspiration is his mother, who used to sell vegetables and faced a lot of struggle because of the weak financial condition of the family. He says she inspired him to learn the traditional art form to make his financial status strong. He was determined and passionate about his art despite many ups-downs during the journey. He never gave up and continued his journey. He gives credit of his success to his mother.