Everyone is crazy about the skill and art of Barmer's handicraftsman Tikamchand. They have kept the whole of Rajasthan settled in their house. There is not a single model of the historical places of Rajasthan which is not in their house. The special thing is that they have made all these with their own hands. Tikamchand has prepared a model that looks like Hawa Mahal of Jaipur, Mehrangarh of Jodhpur, Sonar Fort of Jaisalmer with his skill and art. When no one appreciated these artifacts, he made the Gomti Museum an art center in his kutcha house in the name of his wife. Apart from these beautiful attractive figures, about 150 other artifacts have been made.
Tikamchand, a resident of Dhani of Barmer Roopani, says that I was fond of making figures since childhood. Due to the financial condition of the family, I went to Jaisalmer for wages at the age of about 30. During that time repair work was going on in Sonar Fort. Babulal Vyas also taught work by employing him there. In Jaisalmer, Sonar used to look at the fort's figures while working. I used to make the shapes of Sonar Fort there on thermocol. The tourists and the British used to admire my drawings. This boosted my spirits. During this, I saw Hawa Mahal of Jaipur, Mehrangarh of Jodhpur. I was encouraged by the tourists and I felt that I would get recognition in my district. After this, as soon as the work was over, he came to Barmer and started making these models here.
Tikamchand explains that I make the idols including Hawa Mahal, Sonar Fort, Mehrangarh, with thermocol, wood, stone, lime material. Dinosaurs are made from 15-20 tall fabric. It also takes more time to make these figures and also the cost is more. Tikamchand took 5 years to build Jaisalmer's Sonar Fort, Jaipur's Hawa Mahal 2, Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Fort took 1 year to build. It costs any 20-25 thousand rupees to make them, then 30-35 thousand rupees are spent in some. 50-60 thousand rupees have been spent in making the highest amount of money for the Sanar fort.
Tikamchand says that in childhood he was fond of making artifacts. I have studied till class VIII. Due to financial constraints, he left his studies. After that, I started making big artworks now. I am doing this work from the beginning, now I cannot do any other work. Now the support of the bread of both times is also this art.
Tikamchand says that I lived in Jaisalmer for about 20-25 years and also learned to work there. After learning the work, I had made different artifacts of the idol, Sonar Fort in Jaisalmer, and many domestic and foreign tourists came. Along with appreciating my work, they also helped me with money. Jaisalmer administration used to keep artifacts at Maru Mahotsav and Museum Centre. It was going well there. During his stay in Jaisalmer, the model of the magnificent Sonar fort was made by the masonry of small stones on a big stone.
According to Tikamchand, when Hawa Mahal, Sonar Fort, Mehrangarh were built. It was expected that the government would give some help and keep them at the museum center, but for the last two decades, the government and the administration did not help anything. Now a museum center has been made in the house itself. After getting the pamphlets printed and distributed in the markets, I paste them wherever I get the space. Due to this, 15-20 people used to come daily before the lockdown. A fee of Rs 50 has been kept for a person, it used to get Rs 800-1000, but the economic situation is getting worse after the lockdown. Now only 5-7 people are able to reach the day.
Tikamchand says that I want to make more artworks, but on one hand, I am unable to make it due to financial constraints, on the other hand, I do not have a place to keep it in my house and even if I make it, it will get spoiled in rain or strong storm. Sometimes I cover the Hawa Mahal, the Sonar Fort as well as the first built plastic, if someone comes to see it, then I remove it back.
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