Arts Directory

About

Artist Bio

Jugnu Verma, award winning Indian folk artist grew up in BIHAR, the State of the Madhubani region in northern India. The State, part of Mithila, carries a rich pastel of cultural legacy in art and literature. Artistic interests led Jugnu to seek out practitioners of the art from local artists and learn directly from them. Now she practices, popularizes and teaches the art in the U.S.A. – Teaching various Indian Folk Art forms such as Rangoli, Madhubani painting, Lippan art, Warli Art and Mixed Media at Columbia Art center, Henna Tattoos at Columbia Museum of Art. She taught a variety of Indian painting workshops to a diverse group of students and provided a hands-on training of all aspects of the art, which included the history, motifs, themes and techniques. She has also worked at the South Carolina State Museum as an educator and was on the team of ‘Beyond Bollywood’ Exhibition. In addition to her role as an educator, Jugnu’s artistic talent have earned on global stage, her Rangoli artwork has been featured in prestigious publications such as the New York Times. Jugnu’s solo painting exhibition ‘Sapta Savara’ at the Koger Center featured the origin of Indian musical notes. In Indian classical music, an octave has seven notes called ‘Sapta Svara’. The notes are Sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni (similar to western music do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti) organized by the South Carolina Arts Commission.

She received a coveted invitation from KIA to showcase her Rangoli artwork during the vibrant celebrations of Diwali at Times Square, New York in 2023.

She demonstrated and displayed traditional arts at various museums, exhibitions and festivals in Columbia and around the state.

She has been awarded The Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award presented by the South Carolina General Assembly in 2021.

Artist Statement

From my early age, my artistic interest was ignited by the captivating beauty of Indian folk arts like Rangoli, Madhubani Painting, Henna tattoos and many more. These folk art forms play a vital role in shaping our cultural identity, building communal cohesion and preserving traditions. As an Indian Folk artist my involvement in these folk arts is not just a passion but a commitment to honoring our cultural heritage. I am also so passionate about sharing our traditions through my artwork. I truly enjoy working with people and teach traditional Indian art forms. In teaching others about Indian folk art, I have realized that art has the ability to bring us all together. Art originally started out as a hobby for me but has transformed into a way for me to express myself, honor my past, and connect with the people in the community.