RAJU SWAMI
Master Artist | Bikaner School of Miniature Painting | Traditional Fresco Artist
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Raju Swami is a renowned Master Artist specializing in the Bikaner School of Miniature Painting, one of India’s finest classical painting traditions. Born on 18 February 1967 in Bikaner, Rajasthan, he has dedicated his life to preserving and promoting centuries-old miniature painting techniques under the exclusive guidance of his father, Shree Gordhan Dass Swami.
With more than 35 years of professional experience, his artworks have been exhibited nationally and internationally and are appreciated for their exceptional craftsmanship, traditional techniques, natural pigments, handmade Wasli paper, and genuine gold leaf work.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Practiced Traditional Bikaner Miniature Painting under the exclusive guidance of Shree Gordhan Dass Swami, one of the senior masters of the Bikaner School of Miniature Painting.
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
- Government Registered Artisan
- Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts)
- Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
SOLO & GROUP EXHIBITIONS
1994
National History Paintings Exhibition, Chandigarh
1995
Two original botanical paintings selected for the 8th International Exhibition of Botanical Art & Illustration, Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
1996
Selected as the only traditional artist for the Artist Camp & Exhibition organized by The Maurya Sheraton Hotel (Welcome Group).
1997
- Gallery Lafayette, Paris, France
- Mehrangarh Museum Trust, Jodhpur
- Cymroza Art Gallery, Mumbai
- National Handicrafts & Handlooms Museum, New Delhi
1998
Surajkund Crafts Mela, Haryana
2001
“Warriors of Love” with Tarshito
National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai
2002
“No Borders No Wars”
Lokayata Art Gallery, New Delhi
2006
“Virasat”
Italian Cultural Centre
Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur
Kala Ghoda Festival
Artist Centre, Mumbai
“Offering”
Nature Morte Gallery, New Delhi
2012
“The Bikaner School” — Exhibition of Miniature Paintings by Raju Swami
The IIC Experience: A Festival of the Arts, 1–7 November 2012
India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi | Miniature Painting Workshop conducted by Raju Swami on 3 November 2012
2014
Asia Bazaar
DASTKAR
New Delhi
2016
Kala Vaarso
Science Centre Art Gallery
Surat, Gujarat
MUSEUM COLLECTION & DISPLAY
Original miniature paintings are displayed at the Prachina Museum, Junagarh Fort, Bikaner, Rajasthan, representing the traditional Bikaner School of Miniature Painting.
PUBLICATIONS & INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
1993
Artwork published in
The Garden of Life
by Naveen Patnaik
(Doubleday, New York)
1997
Original paintings selected for
UNICEF Greeting Cards
MEDIA / ARTIST PROFILES
TRY For Good — “Raju Swami – a miniature artist”
Independent artist profile featuring Raju Swami’s Bikaner miniature and botanical practice, family artistic legacy, traditional materials and techniques, and international exhibition experience.
https://tryforgood.com/raju-swami-a-miniature-artist/
Our studio has been recommended by Germen Guide Book- “Marco Polo” & recommended by French Guide Book- “Petit Fute“.
INTERNATIONAL AUCTION RECORD
Selected international auction records for works by Raju Swami (b. 1967), Bikaner, Rajasthan, India, are documented through established auction houses and international art-market databases.
2021 — “A Peacock and Squirrels in a Tree”
Roseberys, London, UK — Arts of India, Lot 210, 15 June 2021. Opaque pigments on paper, signed lower right, painting 53 × 37 cm.
2022 — “14675 Leaves” (2013)
De Zwaan, Amsterdam, Netherlands — Asian Art auction, Lot 3475. Bikaner miniature painting depicting a banyan tree, signed front and back; painting 7 × 9.5 cm, framed 17 × 20 cm.
2025 — “Birds in a Flowering Tree with Butterflies”
Stride & Son Auctions Ltd, UK — Lot 1299, October 2025. Watercolour and gouache, 33.5 × 21 cm, signed and labelled verso. Provenance: Gallery Mansur, New Delhi. Estimate:
International Auction Database
MutualArt — Raju Swami
MutualArt currently records three auction results for the artist.
https://www.mutualart.com/Artist/Raju-Swami/FF1BD5CE158D85FE/auction-results
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Original artworks are held in private collections across India and internationally.
SPECIALIZATION
- Bikaner School of Miniature Painting
- Traditional Fresco Painting
- Handmade Wasli Paper
- Natural Mineral & Stone Pigments
- Gold Leaf Miniature Painting
- Botanical Art
- Heritage Paintings
- Museum Quality Artworks
- Custom Commission Paintings