Laxminarayan RajSoni was born on 09/05/1948 in Pratapgarh (Rajasthan). He completed his education in 1968 with Diploma Degree in Mechanical Engineering. After completing education he started learning Thewa jewellery making under his father Beniram RajSoni’s observation. Since then he participated in many National and International exhibitions & introduced this unique Thewa art jewellery in many countries. In 1983, When Elizabeth – The queen of England visited the pavilion of Rajasthan in International Business Fair, On Behalf of Rajasthan State, Honorable Chief Minister Mr. Shiv Charan Mathur gifted a Shringar Set box to her, which was made by Mr. Laxminarayan .The Queen of England Elizabeth appreciated his Thewa Art. Many articles made by him also given as a gift to former Vice President BhairoSingh Shekhawat and former Chief Minister of Rajasthan Smt. Vasundhara Raje. He is the Former President of Rajasthan Thewa Kala Sansthan, Geographical indication number for Thewa art work - 244. He is senior Thewa artist and he is the most experienced in Thewa art. In fact, he sacrificed his govt.service for the sake of Thewa art, so really he is the true originator of the Thewa art in Rajsoni family.

AWARDS:

1. Rajasthan State Level Handicraft award in 1985
2. Honored By Chairman, Nagar Palika Pratapgarh on 15 August 1985
3. Awarded & Praised by Madhavrao Scindia, Railway Minister Govt. of India in 1985
4. His Thewa Art was praised by Shankar Dayal Sharma Former President of India,Indira Gandhi Former Prime Minister & Also by MAHARAJA of Pratapgarh.
5. In 2004, Awarded By Vasundhara Raje Chief Minister of Rajasthan.
6. Awarded in Alankrit Shilp Utsav 2005 by Mr. Purshottam Agarwal , M.D. of The Rajasthan Small Industries Corporation Ltd.
7. Awarded by Minister of Industries Rajasthan Mr. Narapat Singh Rajvi in "Utkrishtha Shilp Utsav - 2006" at Jawahar Kala Kendra Jaipur.
8. Awarded by Mewar Kshatriya Mahasabha on Maharana Pratap Jayanti in 2008.
9. Awarded by Soubhagya Foundation,New Delhi
10. Awarded by Akhil Bhartiya Hastshilp Vikas Ayukta in Forhex 2012 Jaipur.
11. Awarded by Queen of Jaipur in Jaipur Vision by Nite 2013.

Participated in following International, National & State Level Exhibitions:

1. Festival Craft – 1985 (Madurai, Tamil Nadu)
2. Festival Craft - 1986 (Bangalore, Karnataka)
3. Festival Craft – 1987 (Bangalore, Karnataka)
4. Bazaar Milan – 1991 (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
5. Shilpgram-Jawahar Kala Kendra – 1993 (Jaipur,Rajasthan)
6. Craft Demonstration Program- Craft Museum, Pragati Maidan - 2003 (New Delhi)
7. Rajasthali Exhibition & Sell- Aamer Fort - 2004 (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
8. Alankrit Shilp Utsav – Jawahar Kala Kendra – 2005 (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
9. Alankrit Shilp Utsav – Jawahar Kala Kendra – 2006 (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
10. Gandhi Shilp Bazaar - 2009 (Udaipur, Rajasthan)
11. Gandhi Shilp Bazaar - 2012 (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
12. Forhex Fair – Birla auditorium – 2012 (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
13. Rajasthan Diwas Samaroh- Jawahar Kala Kendra – 2013 (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
14. Jaipur vision by Nite - City Palace – 2013 (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
15. Jaipur vision by Nite - Hotel Clark, Aamer – 2013 (Jaipur, Rajasthan)

Hitesh RajSoni was born on 23/06/1982 in Pratapgarh (Rajasthan). He completed his education in 2005 with M.Com Degree and having specialization in Business Administration. He is having interest in Thewa since his childhood; he followed the footstep of his father and started working on Thewa Art in age of 13 only. Inspiring from Holy Book Bhagwat Geeta he Made a one feet round plate which include the picturization of “Shree Krishna Leela”, for this incredible art he has been awarded by “ UNESCO Seal of Excellence Award” in 2004. He is the youngest personality in Rajsoni Family who got this Award. He is the most active member of Rajasthan Thewa Kala Sansthan.

AWARDS:

1. Got First Position in District Level Handicraft Competition – 2003, Pratapgarh(Raj)
2. Awarded by additional district collector on Republic Day – 2003, Pratapgarh(Raj)
3. UNESCO Seal of Excellence Award – 2004
4. Awarded by Minister of Industries Rajasthan Mr. Narapat Singh Rajvi in "Utkrishtha Shilp Utsav - 2005" at Jawahar Kala Kendra Jaipur.
5. Awarded by Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin the absolute missionary of the Dawoodi Bohras – 2005 Pratapgarh (Raj)
6. Awarded by Maharana Mewar Foundation Udaipur in “Holy Mohotsav” - 2008 Udaipur (Raj)
7. Awarded for Expertise in Thewa Art on State Level by Chief Minister of Rajasthan Mr. Ashok Gehlot. – 2011 Birla Auditorium Jaipur(Rajasthan)
8. Awarded by Gandhi Swasthya Manch Mandsaur, Aadinath Navyuvak Mandal Pratapgarh, Paryavaran Chetna Manch Rajasthan etc.

Participated in following National & State Level Exhibitions:

1. Delhi Haat Bazaar - Delhi
2. Utkrishtha Shilp Utsav - Jaipur
3. Holi Utsav – Udaipur
4. Mewar Utsav – Chittorgarh

Gyarasi Devi RajSoni had a great contribution in success of our firm Guru Kripa Original Thewa Art Pratapgarh. She had participated in all of the exhibitions wherever Laxminarayan Rajsoni participated. She is having a deep knowledge of Thewa art jewellery.

AWARDS:

1. Awarded by Narpat Singh Rajvi, Minister of Industries Govt. of Rajasthan in Alankrit Shilp Utsav – Jawahar Kala Kendra – 2006 (Jaipur, Rajasthan).
2. Awarded by Vimla Sharma W/o Shankar Dayal Sharma (Former President of India)
3. Awarded by Soubhagya Foundation,New Delhi

Jaya RajSoni is reistered artist of Thewa Art. She shows her keen interest in Thewa Art.She is having a deep knowledge of traditional Indian jewellery. Jaya’s attitude towards jewellery design is simple – ‘to create jewelleries that other people and myself would love to wear around’. Jaya loves to experiment exciting ideas and designs.

History of Thewa

The Thewa art originated in Pratapgarh (Rajasthan) about 400 years ago. Our ancestor Nathu Lal soni was the first goldsmith who initiated this art in 1707. It soon caught the fancy of kings and princes and Maharaja Sumant Singh patronized this art in 1765 and granted a jagir to the family of Nathu Lal soni and conferred the title of Rajsoni on him. The secrets of the craft that passed directly from father to son over the generation’s remains it in this family only, called 'Raj-Sonis’.

This craft flourished especially during the Victorian times when a number of pieces set in gold were sold to British women who lived here or visited India. These pieces were taken to Europe as souvenirs. Somehow they found their way to the British antique market and the work was recognized by European jewelery historians for its distinction. Some pieces about 250 years old can still be seen in the collection of Queen Elizabeth(London museum).

In the last century Thewa unit makers prepared elaborate settings in gold wire in the Canetille style, so called after a contemporary European style. In the days of royal patronage our family RajSoni seeks to enhance the art and not just to India but also proud to Rajasthan Pratapgarh or made and unique identity. To encourage this exquisite and unique art form the Government of India issued a postage stamp in the year 2004. To add to its laurels the art also won nine National Awards since 1966. Thewa jewellery has been appreciated around the world for the fine work. We are in Limca Book of World Records -2011 pride. (Only one family has 9 national awards).

Thewa art is amazing. The Patterned metal sheet is pure 23 carat gold. To creat the pierced work design, several blank foil sheets somewhat longer than the final result are fixed side by side one after the other on a working surface-a board covered with a layer of Lac. The Lac is warmed and the metal is pressed lightly onto it.

Traditional design subjects are carefully drawn on the gold surface with a pointed steel scriber. The designs commonly used can be divided into two main groups-mythological or religious and secular. Popular subjects among the former are Srinathji, a form of Krishna installed at Nathdwara and Radha-Krishna. Ram parivar, Hanuman, Mahadev and the mother goddess are also favorite motifs. The latter include shikargah, a hunting scene depicting animals in jungle foliage, water streams with domestic animals and flowers and birds, etc.

After drawing the design, pockets within the subject outlines are created with gravers and fine chisels designed by the artisans themselves. The entire background of the design is pierced and through these openings the colored glass is seen in the result.

Besides jewellery pieces non-jewellery thewa decorated objects include trays, plate, photo frame, wall clock, ashtray, heart shaped pendants, necklace set, bracelet, earrings, tops, bangles, tie-pin, saree-pin (brooch), button-set, betel-nut containers, rose water sprinklers, cigarette boxes, card boxes, flower vases, cuff-links and perfume bottle.

Legacy of RajSoni's Thewa is continued by Laxmi Narayan RajSoni & Hitesh RajSoni. They conserve heritage of this Unique Art Called “Thewa Art” and make unique identity in this universe.