Traditional Indian Miniature Paintings

Ajay Kumar Sharma

Ajay Kumar Sharma is a celebrated freelance artist and master of Indian miniature painting, with a career spanning over four decades. Born in Jaipur in December 1962, he was trained as an apprentice under the renowned Master Painter Mahendra Sharma.

Since 1984, Ajay has run his own studio in Jaipur, where he produces an array of miniature and mural paintings. His versatility shines through works across styles such as Mughal, Rajput, Kota, Jaipur School, and Tantra painting. 

Artistic Expertise & Contributions

• Techniques & Materials: Ajay is deeply versed in the intricate preparation of pigments (often from natural materials), composition, drawing, brush making (notably, early in his career he obtained squirrel hair for brushes—but no squirrels were harmed), use of gold leaf, and the preparation of traditional wasli paper.

• Preservation Work: He's played key roles in conservation efforts for heritage sites such as Samode Palace and Multan Estate in Jaipur.
  
  

Global Influence & Collaborations

Ajay’s reputation transcends borders. He has conducted workshops and demonstrations at prestigious institutions worldwide, including:

• The Art Institute of Chicago

• Pennsylvania State University

• The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, London

• Jaipur Virasat Foundation

• University of Baroda

• University of Connecticut

• Virginia Commonwealth University in Doha

• Sanskriti Kendra in New Delhi

• Ahmedabad Fine Arts College
  
  

His outreach has inspired a generation of artists globally, both in preserving tradition and exploring new creative directions. AirSpace Projects 2014-2017

Recent Highlights (2022–2025)

• 2025 – Ojas Art Award: Along with Vinita Sharma, Ajay was awarded the prestigious Ojas Art Award at the Jaipur Literature Festival, recognizing his lifelong dedication to miniature art and cultural preservation.

• 2024 – International Exhibitions: Participated in group exhibitions that highlighted the evolution of Indian miniature traditions in a global context.

• 2023 – Teaching & Collaborations: Conducted workshops in Europe and the Middle East, focusing on advanced pigment techniques and traditional symbolism.

• 2022 – Conservation Work: Continued restoration and preservation of heritage sites, including traditional wall paintings in Rajasthan palaces and estates.

Exhibitions & Notable Collections

Ajay Kumar Sharma's work has been featured in numerous exhibitions, including a noteworthy show titled The Speed of Life, which reflects on rapid modernisation and its impact on traditions. AirSpace Projects 2014-2017+2Ojas Art Gallery+2

His paintings are held in private collections around the globe—including in the collections of former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the late Czech President Václav Havel, and the Rabindranath Tagore Museum in Santiniketan. 

Legacy & Ongoing Impact

• Pedagogy: Ajay is a dedicated teacher, having mentored countless students, both individuals and groups, through workshops that continue his century-old tradition.

• Cultural Preservation: He remains passionate about safeguarding the miniature painting heritage—maintaining techniques, narratives, and cultural values in an increasingly modern world. 

Vinita Sharma 

Vinita Sharma is an acclaimed miniature painter whose art seamlessly blends the meticulous traditions of Indian miniature painting with contemporary narratives. Known for her exquisite technique, poetic compositions, and storytelling brushwork, Vinita has spent decades perfecting her craft and sharing it with audiences worldwide. 

Artistic Journey & Teaching

Vinita’s journey is distinguished by her devotion to both practice and pedagogy. She has been invited to lead workshops and short courses at respected institutions across the globe, including:

• Heenat Salma Farm, Doha, Qatar

• Les Beaux-Arts de Marseille–Paris

• Virginia Commonwealth University, Doha

Through these engagements, she has inspired new generations of artists to embrace the delicacy and discipline of miniature painting.

Exhibitions

Each exhibition has revealed the intricate storytelling, technical finesse, and contemporary voice that define her work.

Her work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions across India and internationally, including:

• Solo Exhibition: Shifting Frames Art Gallery (Marseille, Paris)

• Group Exhibitions:

  • Sheikh Faisal Museum, Doha

  • Buckingham Palace, London

  • AirSpace Projects, Sydney, Australia

  • Delhi Contemporary Art Week (8th Edition), New Delhi (Latitude 28)

Recent Highlights (2022–2025)

• “Children I, II, III” (2022): Stone colour with liquid gold on Wasli — a meditative series on innocence and playfulness.

• “Hide & Seek” (2023): Stone colour and gold on handmade Wasli paper, showcasing her mastery of layering and detail.

• “Musawwari: Miniatures Today” (2024, Ojas Art, New Delhi): A landmark exhibition reimagining miniature painting in contemporary contexts.

• Ojas Art Award, Jaipur Literature Festival (2025): Honored with husband Ajay Sharma for outstanding contributions to preserving and innovating miniature traditions.

• Upcoming Exhibition (September 2025): Scheduled to present new works at the NSIC Exhibition Complex, New Delhi.
  
  

Awards & Recognition

In 2025, Vinita Sharma and Ajay Sharma were honored with the Ojas Art Award, a prestigious recognition that celebrates artists dedicated to preserving and innovating traditional Indian art forms.

Her work has also been celebrated in solo and group exhibitions around the globe, including:

• Shifting Frames Art Gallery, Marseille/Paris (solo exhibition)

• Sheikh Faisal Museum, Doha

• Buckingham Palace, London

• AirSpace Projects, Sydney

Her paintings are also held in prestigious collections such as:

• Kala Bhavana and Nandan Museum, Santiniketan, India

• Buckingham Palace, London

Vinita’s works are part of prestigious collections worldwide, including:

• Kala Bhavana and Nandan Museum, Santiniketan, India

• Buckingham Palace, London
  
  

A Living Tradition

Through her art, Vinita Sharma continues to enchant audiences with intricate brushwork, luminous palettes, and deeply expressive compositions. Every miniature she creates is a story rendered with precision, patience, and reverence for tradition yet open to contemporary imagination.

To explore her portfolio is to step into a world of timeless beauty where each brushstroke preserves heritage while inviting new dialogues in art.