Abirpothi

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Allegory of Two Ladies: Gender, Race and Colour in One Painting

The artworks are rare and invaluable because of many reasons. Some artworks are more priceless and treasured than others because of their historical significance and employing scope with time and space. Some works may be preserved as a nation’s treasure, not allowed to carry outside the country’s border. The British government declared ‘the allegorical Painting […]

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Ingenious Collaboration: Nakashima and National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad

George Nakashima, the revered Japanese-American woodworker and furniture designer, left an indelible mark on India’s architecture and furniture design. From his tranquil sojourn at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, where he embraced the name Sunder Nanda, to his collaboration with Antonin Raymond on the iconic Golconde dormitory, Nakashima’s influence was profound. He even developed

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Golconde: A Modernist Marvel in Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry

Golconde, the iconic dormitory constructed by architects George Nakashima and Antonin Raymond, stands as a brilliant example of India’s architectural evolution, representing the country’s first foray into the realm of modernist design. Completed in 1945, this remarkable structure is nestled within the serene confines of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, India. With its origins

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A Historian’s Tale: The Life of Jasleen Dhamija in Indian Textiles and Other Traditions

Smriti Malhotra Jasleen Dhamija, was a highly esteemed historian and a revered champion of traditional Indian crafts, has left an indelible mark on the preservation and promotion of the country’s rich cultural heritage. Through her extensive research, significant policy contributions, and unwavering dedication, she has become a beacon, illuminating the narrative surrounding Indian textiles and

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A Visual Dialogue with Three Heroes in Haitian Revolution

In 2004, Haiti was revisited by its ghosts, by the memories and realities of dictatorship and political violence, and, most strikingly, by the French and American troops once again on Haitian soil, spectres of the first black republic’s unfinished history, revenants whose very presence in Haiti is an unavoidable reminder of a nation’s failings, of

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A Craft Catalyst, Life of Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay

Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, an often overlooked and forgotten figure, was far more than a mere sum of her achievements. Widely recognised as the driving force behind the revival of India’s diverse craft traditions and a staunch advocate for “tribal art” after independence, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay’s influence extended beyond her expertise in Indian handicrafts. She played a significant

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‘Times We Live In’: When Migrant Labours Comes to Painting

It’s not surprising that the real-life experience is reflected in the artwork. We use painting or literature to understand the social settings of a time because they might be included in that ‘creative’ expressions. What is creative is not something that excludes all those social realities; some painters may use the facts to create an

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