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!
My name is Shamsul.
My name is Shamsul. I am originally from Bihar, I ran away from my home at the age of seven and came to Delhi and became a permanent resident of New Delhi Railway Station. Astadji meant everything for me and will remain so. He was like a Father and an Angel. I consider him as my Father.
‘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.
‘Impresario:A Heritage Foundry’ Interview with Stephen Barker, author and military historian
On Impresario: A Heritage Foundry we present an interview with Stephen Barker. A heritage advisor and museum consultant for museums in England, Stephen has been researching on the role of Indians as part of the British army during the World Wars. He closely examines their lives and activities on the battlefield and after. ‘The Museum Memories Project’ catches up with him on his latest book called 'Lion of the Skies: Hardit Singh Malik, the Royal Air Force and the First World War’ (it is called 'The Flying Sikh' outside India).
Netaji and India’s non violent struggle!
23rd January is the birth day of Subhas Chandra Bose, revered in India as Netaji ('Neta' means leader and 'Ji' is a title of respect). He was born in 1897 to Prabhabati Devi and Sri Janakinath Bose at Cuttak, in Orissa. He spent the first 16 years of his life there and loved Orissa and she loved her back, I will tell how. He studied in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and got selected for the Indian Civil Services (ICS) now known as Indian Administrative Services (IAS). He was inspired by Swami Vivekananda's speeches during his Cuttak years and decided to fight for India's freedom, in a different manner. Below are some lesser know facts related to him.
Happy 100 CSMVS
Happy 100th Birthday dearest CSMVS. Our association with you runs deep - both personally and professionally. Giving below just some of our connections, through exhibition reviews, lectures, blogs, and recent long discussions with the gifted conservation architect who prepared you for your special 100th birthday - Vikas Dilawari 🙂
The year that was: 2021 roundup by VarnikaDesigns
2021 has been a difficult year for VarnikaDesigns but we kept on our endeavour of making heritage and history accessible and inclusive, an arduous task in the global Covid lockdown year. Thank you for your constant support and motivation ♥️♥️♥️
Beyond the Palace: creating new approaches, empowering artisans design a new paradigm
Through 'Beyond the Palace: creating new approaches' series, VarnikaDesigns is immensely honoured to bring to you a set of 5 video interviews with 6 amazing women entrepreneurs from the erstwhile royal families of India. We asked them how they are empowering artisans design a new paradigm, their future plans, how they extend their family’s royal legacy and preserve heritage through social media and how they are making their family’s and India’s culture accessible and inclusive. Follow us on the VarnikaDesigns Instagram profile from November 26 - 29, 2021 for their stories.This series is to help promote the unique fundraiser auction 'India for Artisans' by 200 M Artisans, CD and StoryLtd to raise money for India's artisans to be held online on 30th November, 2021, 8AM - 8PM IST for which VarnikaDesigns is a Cause partner
Review of exhibition of Annie Morris and Idris Khan
It’s out! My review of the exhibition of the work of Annie Morris and Idris Khan seen at the Gallierie Isa in 2020 January at Mumbai.
Durga Pujo Specials: An offering for you <3
Wishing everyone a very Happy, Safe and Healthy Durga Pujo 🙂 This is the second Durga Pujo during the lockdown induced by the dreaded Covid 19. Nearly everyone is exhausted and drained - emotionally, physically, financially, intellectually and every other possible way. We have collected a special offering for you which are inspired from Durga Pujo celebrations from Bengal. We would not want you to miss out on the festivities associated with this festival and season ❤ so re live your memories and joys of the season, and plan for the grand one next year. May the power of the Mother Goddess be with you 🙂