Ram Soni

Born in 1972, Ram Soni is an eminent Sanjhi artist pushing the boundaries of tradition to create a new language. Based in Alwar, Rajasthan, he has been practising the art of paper cuts for a very long time.

'Sanjhi' comes from the word 'Sanjh', or dusk. Originated about four hundred years ago, Sanjhi was painted with coloured dust to adorn the temple for the evening rituals. These multicoloured paintings required precise papercut stencils, called Khakha. With time and intervention, these papercuts have earned the name of Sanjhi art on their merit. Using a pair of scissors invented and uniquely designed for Sanjhi art by his predecessors, Soni's intricate and delicate cuts resemble brushstrokes. His works tend to reflect the seasons with the presence of flowers or plants typical to it. Since 2008, Ram Soni has been collaborating with Delhi Craft Council, experimenting with the process, material, and display modes in close connection with the modern market.

A National Award winner of 2002, Soni has received international acclaim, including the UNESCO award in 2012, Shilp Shiromani Award, Delhi in 2008, Shilp Alankrit Award, Jaipur, 2007. In addition, he participated in exhibitions globally, including Indian Heritage Centre, Singapore, 2018, Bahrain Festival, 2017, China Gonjo 2015, Indian Festival Argentina, 2010, Nehru Centre, London, 2000, India Festival, Craft Council India and Zurich, Switzerland, 2008.