On the evening of 29th August, 2026, JUGNU book club invited eminent designer Prof Mahendra C Patel to share his design approach to books and other print products. Prof Patel is a Design Guru and winner of the Gutenberg International Award for his contribution in Type Design Development of Indian Scripts.
Dehra + Dun = Dehradun ☺ but it ain’t that simple☺
Darbar Shri Guru Ram Rai Ji Maharaj is situated in the heart of Dehradun city is a magnificent monument of great historical and religious significance. These two images will help you find the exact location when you’re in the city. The Foundation students of the School of Design, Doon University, Dehradun, were directed there by... Continue Reading →
MuMe Matters #6: Guardians of Memory: how archiving matters
Guardians of Memory: how archiving matters Panel Discussion with Jane Borges and Chirodeep Chaudhuri Theme: In this discussion we understand the importance of preserving the stories and narratives of our immediate surrounding - through archival and documentation tools like oral history recording, photography, writing, and sharing that knowledge. We argue if we need archives and... Continue Reading →
Astad Deboo: Indian Contemporary Dance Pioneer and Fashion Icon
Happy Birthday Astad ❤ This post is dedicated to his magnificent flair for textiles, style, fashion, colours and his experiments in their fluid transition in his unique style of Indian contemporary dance.
Water! We will always need you but we treat you bad :(
One morning in March, 2024, India woke up to a headline that shocked us beyond belief * India's pride, Bengaluru, had no water!!! Born and brought up in Rajasthan and having spent most of my life there and in Gujarat, both desert states of India, water scarcity was something we were aware of being integral to our lives.
Award of Honorary D. Litt. degree to Dr Asok Kumar Das
The Courtauld Institute of Art, an independent college of the University of London has announced the conferment of an Honorary Doctorate degree (Doctor Honoris Causa) to the distinguished art historian Dr Asok K. Das.
International Museum Expo, New Delhi, 18 – 20 May, 2023
I was honoured to be invited by the Ministry of Culture as a speaker on International Museum Day to talk about the oral history documentation project called ‘The Museum Memories Project’ – it was found at the beginning of the Covid global lockdown that to bring the world closer through sharing of personal memories from museums visited by anyone in any corner of the globe. It is a free digital archive and resource platform of histories, heritage, cultures of all people, making them accessible and inclusive to everyone 🙂
‘Jadughar Experts’ panel of ‘The Museum Memories Project’
For our 3rd year, we are honoured to announce our panel of 'Jadughar Experts' who will advise us with their valuable wisdom. Museums in most parts of India were called a ‘Jadughar’ or ‘Ajaibghar’ meaning a physical space of magic, our project attempts to transform the Museum into an accessible and inclusive digital, intellectual, emotional,... Continue Reading →
Happy 2023 :)
Happy 2023:) Wishing you a very Happy, Safe and Peaceful 2023. Thank you everyone for your support, encouragement and appreciation. VarnikaDesigns managed to get back to doing what we have been attempting since 2010 - to make Indian museums and heritage more accessible and inclusive.
‘Breaking Boundaries’ – Astad Deboo Exhibition Announcement: 10 – 17 December, 2022, Mumbai
You are cordially invited to Breaking Boundaries - A retrospective on the life of Astad Deboo: a journey through his time, work and vision, opening on Dec 10, 2022, Mumbai. The exhibition on the life, vision and work of Astad Deboo has been conceptualised like going on a journey with him - trekking and hitchhiking, heartbroken during his struggles, applauding his successes, in rhythm with his dance moves.
