Karen Lukas: Executive Director, Folk Arts Rajasthan, Inc.
New York, NY
Karen Lukas received a BFA with a crafts concentration from the Massachusetts College of Art. She has created and maintained a decorative painting studio in New York City for more than 25 years with a portfolio composed of private homes, businesses, and international institutions. Her work draws on a broad spectrum of influences culled from extensive travel and study of traditional decorative arts, textiles, and crafts. Ms. Lukas founded Folk Arts Rajasthan (FAR), out of a desire to preserve the vanishing folk art, music, and culture of the Rajasthani Merasi (musician) clan. Her vision and artistic ingenuity have initiated and cultivated FAR’s invaluable American support base for Lok Kala Sagar Sansthan, FAR’s collaborative organization in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.
314 East 84th Street #11
New York,NY 10028
Tel/Fax:212-628-7210
karen@folkartsrajasthan.org
Sarwar Khan: On-Site Manager, Lok Kala Sagar Sansthan
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Sarwar Khan was born and raised in the Merasic community of Jaisalmer, India. He is a distinguished drummer who descends from 37 generations of royal musicians designated to play for the Maharajahs of Jaisalmer. He is a visionary artist who has committed his life to the preservation of Merasi culture and the betterment of his marginalized people. In 1996, he channeled his humanitarian efforts into the development of Lok Kala Sagar Sansthan (LKSS) [reg. #16 Jaisalmer, Raj., 1996], a Non-Governmental Organization based in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Since LKSS’s inception, Mr. Khan, a self-taught multi-linguist, has managed and maintained LKSS in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan as a much needed support base for the Merasi and local community.
Lok Kala Sagar Sansthan (LKSS)
Office: 011-91-921-474-0690 or 011-91-2992-2-51171
Cell: 011-91-982-863-2318
Merasi Para
Jaisalmer 345001 Rajasthan,India