Parasmal Jain, popularly known as P. M. Jain is a veteran screen printer and Chairman of Santi Arts Group, which was founded by him in 1965. Started as a single-man shop, the Guntur based company has huge turnover at present day, exporting their printed art works to multiple Continents. From opting for a low paying career choice to gaining International recognition for his artistic talent and business knowledge, P. M. Jain’s journey is truly inspirational.
Started as a Sign-Painter at 17
At the age of 17, Parasmal Jain started a signboard shop in a village in Guntur district by borrowing a sum of Rs. 25 from his mother. Jain always gave an artistic touch in everything he does and that made him a leading signboard painter in Guntur within a period of 5 years. After consolidating his business, Jain wanted to go beyond it, this time by utilising his Artistic talent. With the money he saved, Jain bought few foreign screen printing books from J. V. Navalakhi & Co, an art books dealer in Mumbai and started experimenting in his free time. After gaining enough knowledge about the work, he started his screen printing career in 1965.
Initial Days of Santhi Arts
After floating the company, Parasmal started Screen printing greeting cards and used to send them to Friends and his old customers. The greeting cards were the screen prints of paintings on art papers. Many of his customers started appreciating his work and used to ask for big sized printed art works to decorate their walls. With increase in demand, Santhi Arts focussed mostly on Screen printing art works for Wall decoration.
In 1985, P. M. Jain experimented with screen printing for over an year in order to reproduce 15 colours from the original painting. After an year of trail and error in 1986, he came out with his first screen printing with 13 visible colours. This won him a national award and there was no stopping him from then.
Business expansion in the 80’s
With the increase in demand for his work, P. M. Jain employed senior artists to copy originals. With increase in work force, he started reproducting paintings of Ravi Varma, Bapu, Kalankari, Tanjore, Oriya and Rajasthani styles. Santi Arts soon started participating in Art exhibitions all across the country. The turnover of the company was close to 15 lakhs, which was huge for a medium company in the late 80’s.
As this a business which promotes Indian traditions, there was immense support from all corners. Santi Awards was soon recognised and certified by Screen printing association of India. After this, many national and international awards came their way. P. M. Jain gained International recognition for his contribution in Screen printing and was featured in many National and International magazines.
Saving the Art in 21st Century
After Globalization and rapid increase in technology, many Indian Arts and Art practices started diminishing. Even Art Printing has faced the wrath in the 21st century. Inspite of all these, jain managed to continue his business till today. He believes that Arts should always be preserved and cherished, even if they are making less profits.
Though he crossed the retirement age long back, his attachment and passion towards Art is not letting him to seperate from his work. At the age of 73, jain is very active and holds multiple responsibilities at Santi Art works and his other companies.
