A haveli was purchased in 1998 by French artist Nadine Le Prince, a descendant of prestigious French painter Jean-Baptiste Le Prince.
The "Nand Lal Devra Haveli" was originally built in 1802 by a rich family of traders, the Devras,
who were officers at the court of the local Maharaja. Since then, Nadine
Le Prince has entirely restored the palace and all the frescoes. She is
doing much to preserve and restore the heritage of havelis throughout
Shekhawati, working with other associations to give the havelis a second
life.
Besides, she has opened a cultural center where her most precious
paintings are exhibited along with many French and Indian modern
artists' works to mingle old and contemporary art. The Kala Dirga
Gallery of Contemporary Art features pieces made by artists about India;
the Saraswati
Gallery covers traditional themes of Rajasthan, through painting. In
addition, there are two little Tribal Art Galleries exhibiting the
artistic work of tribes, as Patachitras and Madhubani.
The aim of the project is to offer the visitor a large panorama of
works and visions of India; the exhibited artists and art are from
France, from Jaipur Fine Art School and local Shekhawati painters.