Kevat Raj by Jayesh Shukla

In this work, Kevat Raj by Jayesh Shukla (b. 1962) chooses to build a temple for Kevat Raj, a figure many people have forgotten. In that decision itself, you understand why it is said that artists are empathetic. Jayesh Shukla turns his attention to the boatman who helped Lord Ram and Maa Sita during vanvaas, served them selflessly, asked for no payment, and expressed his bhakti through simple action. It may not be a “famous” episode, but it is an essential one, and it is the duty of an artist to highlight such unforgettable incidents that shaped the spirit of the epic.

The dedication behind this artwork shows what happens when an artist is well read, well researched, culturally rooted, and guided by strong moral values. He chooses a lesser known subject and gives him dignity. In the Ramayan too, Lord Ram allows Kevat Raj to wash his feet, accepting his devotion with grace. That moment carries a powerful message of equality, humility, and respect.

With this work, Jayesh Shukla does exactly that. He gives value not only to Kevat Raj as a subject, but also to the larger role of the artist in society. He reminds us that art is not only about beauty or scale. Art is also about bringing forward what is meaningful, what is forgotten, and what deserves respect. That is what a true artist does.