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Library Catalogue

The library catalog at Sarmaya is a meticulously curated collection designed to facilitate research and exploration into India’s rich cultural heritage. This digital archive spans a diverse array of materials, including rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and maps, each meticulously cataloged for easy access. The catalog not only serves as a gateway to Sarmaya’s physical collections… Read more »

A feminist modern art maestro

The paintings of B Prabha capture the hopes and anguish of a woman making art in a newly independent India

Celebrating women

On 16th March 2024, we invited a group of participants to celebrate women from the Sarmaya collection who have carved their own identities by breaking boundaries. For this session, we focused on subversive female voices by exploring the fascinating world of a few courageous women such as Razia Sultan, Nur Jahan, Fanny Parkes, Lena Lowis, Umrao… Read more »

SARMAYA X PRADIGI CREATIVITY CLUB – MADHYA PRADESH & MAHARASHTRA

This year, Sarmaya Education kicked off our on-ground collaboration with Pratham Education Foundation as part of their initiative, PraDigi Creativity Club. So far, Sarmaya has created memorable learning experiences through art for students in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The Pratham Creativity Club offers three levels of engagement: All, Some and Few. Based on digital resources… Read more »

‘True To Their Salt’ by Ravindra Rathee

“The British held India by an army predominantly comprising Indian soldiers, and relied on their fidelity. This loyalty stood the test of time but was eventually breached during the Second World War, leading to India’s independence. True to Their Salt is a radical retelling of how India came to be colonized by a handful of… Read more »

Forgotten names on India’s map

India has seen the names of cities, rivers and even roads changed to reflect political realities, contemporary national narratives and the drawing of new borders. Take our quiz to see how well you know some of these forgotten monikers from the past

Forgotten Files

For the 39th issue of Spotlight, we’re bringing you some vanished traditions, unsung artists, lost scripts and other surprising facets of Indian history and art

Copper-Plate Inscription, Madurai

This is an eighteenth-century copper plate with a village grant inscribed in Tamil. In 1733 CE, villages named Suriyan Kuttam and Sembikuttam from Kuruchikadu in Madurai mandalam (province) were granted to Anand Iyengar, son of Narayana Iyengar from Nettoor by Kumaramuthu Ragunatha Sethupathikatha Thevar, the son-in-law of Ragunatha Sethupathi (r. 1713-1725 CE), who ruled the… Read more »

Mata-ni-Pachedi

From devotional offering to art, Mata-ni-Pachedi has continued to take new forms. We outline a brief history of this textile tradition and a community that has practiced and perfected it over centuries. READ MORE Colour speak Traditional Mata-ni-Pachedi paintings only featured three colours, each symbolising an aspect of divinity. Tap on the moving hotspots in… Read more »

Khedda Silver Medal, Mysore

This silver medal dates back to 1960 and is attributed to the Mysore Khedda (Elephant Stockade). Khedda was a practice for centuries in India, where wild elephants were captured to be tamed and domesticated. In the Mysore Khedda, in Southern India, the Kabini river was a permanent capture site given its topography and having one… Read more »

Copper-Plate Inscription, Thiruchendur

This is an eighteenth-century copper plate inscribed in Tamil. It is a record dating back to 1760 CE that states the traders of villages, including Kottaru Aloorupettai, Sivakasi Virudhugupetti, and Sivathondu Maanadupettai, gave their monthly expenses for cotton, tobacco, and kaalchattai (trousers), as well as for the puja (worship ritual) of Maheshvara in the month… Read more »

Letter, Gulam Muhammad Sultan Sahib to Captain Peacock , 1868

This is a letter written by Prince Ghulam Muhammad Sultan, the fourteenth son of Tipu Sultan (1751-1799), the ruler of Mysore. The letter, dated 21st August 1868, is addressed to a British government official, Captain Peacock. After Tipu Sultan’s defeat in Seringapatam, the British deported the Sultan’s remaining family members to Calcutta. Prince Ghulam Muhammad… Read more »