VarnikaDesigns collaborated with LLDC to present to the world their amazing Festival. The blog has videos of interviews with individual artisans. We conceptualised, planned and moderated an interactive discussion between upholders of generations old craft communities from Orissa and Kutch and their custodians - long video link in blog.
Adieu 2024 – Welcome 2025 :)
VarnikaDesigns wishes you a very Happy, Healthy, Safe and Peaceful New Year. May 2025 be kind to you ♥️ We are grateful to all the people and institutions for supporting our new ideas in 2024 ♥️ details in link
Jadughar Journey: Creating Universally Accessible and Inclusive Spaces in Ahmedabad
Have you visited a museum, heritage site and enjoyed your experience? Have you wanted to share your joy with those left behind? This links shares the 2nd adventure of 'Jadughar Journeys' bringing Ahmedabad's famous 'jalis' into our homes. One more attempt at access
Reviving Dahod’s Tradition: Crafts, Culture, and Livelihood
This article was written by me in 2001 as the lead for the craft documentation team of 5 students. It closely observes the crucial role of craft regeneration in the creation of livelihood, leading to empowerment of women and education, health and hygiene for children and the whole community of Bhils there.
Somaiya Kala Vidya exhibition
I have been a die-hard fan of the amazing Judy Frater since decades, have been following her work in Kutch, Gujarat, through Kala Raksha. When I finally got the chance to visit an exhibition showcasing the work of the graduating students of this university I rushed to it, at Mangalbagh Gallery, Ahmedabad
Textile Book Review: The Shoemaker’s Stitch – Mochi Embroidery in TAPI Collection, India
This post is a review of the book 'The Shoemaker's Stitch: Mochi Embroideries of Gujarat in the TAPI Collection', published last year by Niyogi Books. It is as delicately narrated as the embroidery itself by Shilpa Shah and Rosemary Crill. Each page is like another stitch into the past of the embroidery and the lavish photos do justice to the exquisite embroidery. The festive season of India is upon us, and women are digging into their treasure chests for old textiles that are still wearable or can be upscaled.
Happy Women’s Day!
This 2023 Women's Day post is dedicated to the most awesome Priyanka Tolia and her Design Studio Chitku – a design and craft collaborative established in 2009. Wishing you, your team and this little girl the very best wishes for a peaceful life, full of love and safe women's day, every day!
Museum Memory #75 by Sharon Misquitta
I have personally visited the site of the Lothal and the adjoining Archaeological Site Museum of Lothal on 15th February 2020. I visited this museum as a part of a study tour organized by the Department of Ancient Indian Culture, St. Xavier’s College. Dr. Anita Rane-Kothare and Prof. Jason guided us through the museum giving... Continue Reading →
