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.
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 ♥️♥️♥️
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.
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 →
Museum Memory by Stephen Barker
Stephen Barker, Heritage Advisor, Author, Guided Tour leader In December 2018, I decided to fly to Florence (Firenze), on a whim (remember those days of spontaneity?). A relationship had ended at the beginning of the year and with England’s winter now well established, I was in need of a change of scene and lucky enough... Continue Reading →
Museum Memories from Kolhapur or ‘Kalapur’
This is a memory from Anita Yewale from the Town Hall Museum, Kolhapur. All text and photo credits rest with the author. Photographs have been taken at the Museum by her with permission from the Director, Town Hall Museum, DAM, Government of Maharashtra: her contribution to the ongoing 'Museum Memories Project' Two little hidden... Continue Reading →
100th post, 5 years!!!
This is the 100th post celebrating 5 years of this blog!!! I can't believe it! I had never imagined I would be able to write regularly but here it is - 100 posts 🙂 thank YOU for reading them and giving encouraging feedback. Through this 100th post I formally announce the 'Museum Memories Project' -... Continue Reading →