Oman-based artist makes it to Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

MUSCAT: Oman-based artist, Sandesh Rangnekar whose name has become synonymous with Peepal leaf paintings has been featured in the 2018 edition of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

This extraordinary achievement is a first for any artist in Oman and is clear testament to Sandesh’s talent and artistic prowess. To make it to Ripley’s, one’s work needs to be truly one-of-a-kind. In the art world, it would perhaps mean working with unconventional materials for they believe in the dictum that, “The artist’s medium is just as remarkable as the artwork.” And what could be more remarkable than portraits on Peepal leaves?

Peepal leaf painting is a unique and ancient art form of India and perhaps one of the oldest art forms in the subcontinent and Sandesh is one of the handful of artists striving to keep the tradition alive. His work was specifically chosen for the worldrenowned publication because of his highly sophisticated use of painting techniques to feature portraits on Peepal leaves.

When he first received an e-mail from the Ripley’s team, Sandesh was positive it was a gimmick. “My first instinct was to ignore the e-mail,” he adds.

“But after doing a little research I realised that it was a genuine correspondence and then swiftly followed up with the team. But I think a part of me was still unsure, until of course, I finally received a copy of the book in the mail.” The rest, as they say, was history.

However, Sandesh affirms that his art today predominantly exists because of his father, Sadashiv Rangnekar.

The style which he is so well known for now is what grew from all he learned in his early years.