The Master craftsman Niru Chhabra who excelled herself in writing on grains of rice does not require any introduction. Her works themselves are her introduction. However, her’s is a well recognized name both among art critics and connoisseurs. Micro-calligraphy and painting on rice grains is an old Indian tradition. This craft requires immense concentration, neatness of hand and keen eyesight. What makes Niru Chhabra different from other craftsman? Not that she has been recognized and honored at the State and National level. Not that her works have been appreciated and hailed by National and International luminaries. Not that she has won umpteen awards and prizes for her unique craft. But Niru’s work itself makes her different.

There are so many artists who do writes on grains of Rice and make micro-calligraphy. Then how she is different from others? All other who make miniature writing on grains of rice use very fine point pencils or pen to execute their work. Niru is the only artist who does not use this fine tool of writing. Fine pointed pencil makes writing much easier. She charts for herself a different but difficult territory. She writes on grains of rice with an ordinary hair brush. That makes her different. She boldly enters into this difficult terrain and conquers. With the tip of ordinary hair brush she creates wonder by writing 108 letters on a single grain of rice.

Once is a awestruck to see her writings on rice grains without using a magnifying glass. However, one has to use magnifying glass to see her bold writings on the grain of rice. Yes, it is a difficult task. But she has mastered the art with her diligence, perseverance and great dedication.

One is surprised to know that this unassuming simpleton woman with great craft at her command is a housewife who pursues perfection in her craft simultaneously shouldering routine family cores in a joint family.

Niru has received accolades from so many dignitaries of the world that one many simply envy her. Those who personally wrote to her hailing her work include the then US President Bill Clinton.

Among the big and mighty national leader who appreciated and hailed her work are late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the then President zail Singh, R. Venkat Raman, Dr. Shanker Dayal Sharma and the then Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.So impressed was the Kazakhastan President, Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayeva with the skill possessed by Niru that the visiting dignitary gifted away a beautiful pocket watch to her. She had presented two grain of rice having inscription in English and Hindi on each of them when Nazarbayeva visited in Jaipur during his day long tour to the Pink City.

Born in a distinguish Jain family she studied drawing and painting at graduation level. When she married into another distinguish Jain family of Chhabras she got all encouragement for her hobby which soon transformed into a great passion. Fulfilling her domestic duties and raising family she continued her passion for miniature writing on grains of rice with ordinary brush and achieved grand success bringing glory not to her family but to the entire state of Rajasthan. In fact every Rajasthani feels proud of her achievements.

Niru clubs her skill of miniature writing on grains of rice with social and patriotic message. She has written Namokar Mantra of Jains, Geeta Saar, Anekta Main Ekta, Bharat Putra, Bharat se Bharat, Jal hai toh ,Kal hai and other message of different religions on grain of rice. This socially consciousness of Niru makes her more different than others.
Although she did her graduation in drawing and painting in 1975 and acquired higher diploma in 1979 she started pursuing her craft only in 1984. At the outset she decided against using fine tools of writing being used by others in Micro calligraphy. She opted for ordinary water color brush. No artist worth the name was ready to okay her decision of using ordinary brush. But with determination she continued practicing and refining her writing technique. And finally she conquered. She achieved what others thought unimaginable.

Today she is much sought after artist. When grains of rice on which she has made miniature writings spread in front of a viewer they create a mystery and the whole mystery is evaporated when a magnifying glass is handed over to the viewer. When one starts looking into the magnifying glass to decipher what is written on a grain of rice he is floored and the whole new world of art unfolds before the viewer giving a great experience. Giving a new experience to viewer is the basic aim of any art form. Niru Chhabra’s artful skill turns a simple grain of rice into a fine work of art.