Carimpanna

Hortus Malabaricus, as it is popularly known, is a magisterial 12-volume botanical treatise on the medicinal plants of the Malabar region of Kerala. This 17th-century work, completed over 30 years, was unique for the colonial literature of the time because it credits Indian contributors by name. While the work was commissioned by the Dutch governor of Malabar, Hendrik van Rheede, it was also supported by the King of Cochin, Prince Veera Kerala Varma (1663 -1687). The treatise was a collaboration between European physicians and botanists, Indian scholars and physicians, and technicians, illustrators, and Dutch officials. It contained 794 copper-plate engravings of 740 plants.

This work was displayed as part of Sarmaya’s exhibition – ‘In the Dappled Light’ (29th March – 4th May 2025)