Bikaner, Rajasthan: In a remarkable story of dedication and cultural exchange, Baesang Won, an art teacher from South Korea, has been returning to Bikaner every year for the past 20 years to learn India’s traditional miniature painting.

Despite the distance, Won makes the journey annually to study under Mahavir Swami, a celebrated practitioner of the centuries-old art form. Each visit lasts several weeks, during which he immerses himself in the painstaking techniques that define miniature painting.

Mahavir Swami explains that the training is detailed and methodical, beginning with basic sketching and advancing to specialised processes.

Mahavir Swami, Miniature Artist, said, “Firstly, I taught him on how sketches are made, how drawings are made and how the layout is designed. I also explained how the outline is drawn using black ink. Then, I taught him on how colours are applied, including in the background and the foreground. I also explained how gold application is done, how stone colours are prepared, and how those colours are applied..”

For Won, choosing a Guru was a conscious decision. He says he wanted to learn the art from an authentic master and found that guidance in Mahavir Swami.

Baesang Won, Korean Art Teacher, said:, “Twenty years ago, I met Mahavir Swami Guru Ji and have continued to learn miniature painting from him. I like this kind of work, especially the drawings and the colour schemes made from stone colours, which fascinated me very much. I am very satisfied with the teaching and with staying at his house, learning miniature painting every day. I like it very much…”

Beyond the classroom, the bond between the two reflects India’s traditional Guru–Shishya parampara, where knowledge is passed on through trust, discipline and daily practice.

As borders fade in the face of shared creativity, this long-standing relationship between a South Korean teacher and an Indian artist stands as a testament to how art can preserve heritage while connecting cultures across the world.