Indira ji was also a fan of this art of Rewa; There is demand in Germany and France! Know what is the specialty…

Last Updated:January 16, 2025, 15:32 IST

Rewa News: The artefacts made of betel nut in Rewa are famous all over the world. The Kunder family has been keeping this unique art alive for generations. Betel nut idols are presented to politicians and celebrities. Despite inflation, this tradition is the cultural identity of Rewa…read more

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Here sculptures and toys are made from betel nuts, Indira Gandhi was also a fan of this art.

Reva. You may have seen many types of artefacts made of stone, marble, wood and metals, but have you ever seen artefacts made of betel nut? Have you ever thought that artefacts can also be made from betel nuts eaten with betel leaves or yolk? The sculptures and toys made of betel nut here are so beautiful that one falls in love with them as soon as one sees them.

Betel nut artefacts have special significance in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. Betel nut toys are made here and these toys have brought popularity to Rewa. Although every city has an identity, and this identity comes from the people there, from the traditions, from the ancient heritage, but if we talk about Rewa, then there are many famous things to say or hear here, but Betel nut toys are a different matter.

This toy is famous all over the world
Vindhya region of Madhya Pradesh is a unique example of natural beauty. But Rewa is also identified with Rewa’s artefacts. Although Rewa has achieved worldwide fame with the white tiger, but if we talk about artefacts, Rewa’s betel nut toys are famous all over the world. A family of Rewa has been doing this work for many generations, which is still continuing.

Kunder family has preserved this art for generations
In Rewa, the Kunder family has not only been manufacturing betel nut toys for generations, but has also kept this art alive in the times of inflation. If we look at the history of betel nut toys, it is important to mention the Rewa royal family. The tradition of cutting betel nuts in different designs to use them in betel leaves started in the Rewa royal family. After that, while making designs of betel nut, artefacts of betel nut started appearing. The royal family first called Bhagwandin Kunder in 1942 to cut betel nut.

Made the first work of vermilion box from betel nut
On the orders of the Maharaja, waxed betel nuts started being cut for the royal court. By giving a beautiful shape to the same betel nut, Bhagwandin Kunder made a box of vermilion and presented it to Maharaja Gulab Singh. At that time, Bhagwandin was given a reward of Rs 51 by the royal family for cutting waxed betel nut in the court. With time, betel nut sculptures started being made as per the demands of the market. From then till today, the responsibility of making betel nut idols and toys is being carried out by Bhagwandin Kunder’s generation, and this responsibility is now on Durgesh Kunder.

Indira Gandhi also became a fan of this art
In 1968, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had come to Rewa. During this, he was given an idol of betel nut as a gift. After reaching Delhi, Indira Gandhi also included Ramsia Kunder, great-grandmother of betel nut idol maker Durgesh Kunder, in the panel of board of directors of the Central Bank of India, which gives loans to the handloom industry. Indira Gandhi introduced him in many big programs. Indira Gandhi tried to give recognition to betel nut sculptures at the national level.

This unique work is gifted to celebrities
Betel nut sculptures made in Rewa are given as gifts to politicians and other celebrities visiting the city. In this way, these statues are maintaining their identity in other states also. Rewa residents often gift betel nut toys as souvenirs. The Kunder family of Rewa has kept this art alive for years. The family has taken the responsibility to ensure that the tradition that has been going on for generations should not be broken. At present, in this era of inflation, preserving the art of betel nut seems like a challenge, but the Kundar family of Rewa is committed to carrying forward this tradition.

After Corona, the price of betel nut doubled, but these gifts start from Rs 120. Then it goes up to 20,000. Rewa’s betel nut art goes as gifts to Germany and France.