BIDAR, 17 FEB

Muhammad Abdul Rauf, the artist who enriched the Bidri art and took it across the seas, is now a cherished memory.

Rauf had studied only up to the fifth grade and was fluent only in Urdu. However, at the age of ten, he deeply understood the intricacies of Bidri art from his father, Janab Sheikh Ahmad, and took the craft to new heights.

He was one of the five artisans credited with keeping Bidri art alive in Bidar district. By blending traditional Bidri craftsmanship with a contemporary touch, he played a key role in bringing it to an international audience.

His artistic mastery extended to various objects, including sculptures of great personalities, wall tiles, pen drive cases, staplers, handles, letter openers, stationery cases, mirrors, furniture, bowls, and plates. His works were showcased across India and abroad, in cities such as Beijing, Frankfurt, Dubai, Munich, and Trinidad & Tobago, earning him recognition as an ambassador of Bidri art.

In 2015, he was honored with the 'Shilpaguru' award by then-President Pranab Mukherjee.

As part of the Indian government's 'Gurukul' National Scheme, aimed at preserving traditional arts, Rauf conducted training courses, introducing Bidri art to thousands of young artisans. He completed over a thousand projects, ensuring that the craft would continue even after his passing.