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Holy waters
Exploring the cultural and spiritual significance of water in India and around the world
Search Results for: Cultures of India
Spotlight
Masters of the Universe – Medieval Deccan’s kings & queens
Meet some of the most influential kings and queens of the region and understand their contribution to the language, politics and art of south India
Spotlight
Empires of the Deccan – 1,000 years of shifting sands
The Deccan’s diversity of art, culture and language is the result of centuries of shifting politics. Let’s get to know the prominent early and late-mediaeval kingdoms of this vast region through Sarmaya’s rare photographs, coins, books, engravings and maps
Reads
“Echoes of the Land has been a revelation for us at Ojas”
In conversation with Anubhav Nath, founder of Ojas Art, on the collaboration with Sarmaya and the vitality of indigenous art
Spotlight
Dark Mother – Goddesses of wrath
Within the mythology of the Mother Goddess there exists a duality. Just as her benevolent aspects are depicted in many forms, here are some of her fiercest and most terrifying forms
Reads
‘Sisters Who Watch Over Us’ – Telangana’s powerful local goddesses
Among the Dalits and Bahujans of South India, the seven sister-goddesses are revered as protectors of the land and preservers of its people. Meet the gramadevatalu of Telangana
Spotlight
Reign of the Goddess
As the festive season draws near, we get to know some of the great goddesses of our culture in the 33rd issue of Sarmaya Spotlight
Spotlight
Miracle cure – Goddesses of health
The devis, matas, ammas and other female divinities who have been called upon, time and time again, to save humanity from disease, death and its own hubris
Spotlight
Mighty mother – Goddesses of plenty
She predates language, defies borders and annihilates evil. Dhartari, Durga, Lakshmi, Mariamman–meet the mother goddesses of India
Collections
Vindusagar tank, Bhubaneshwar
This late-19th century photograph of the Bindusagar lake was published in Antiquities of Orissa, authored by Indologist Rajendralal Mitra (1824 – 1891). The lake dating back to the 8th – 9th century is situated north of the Lingaraja Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Bhubaneshwar. It measures about 1300 ft in length and 700 ft… Read more »
Reads
Stepping into the underground splendour of Delhi’s baolis
Marvels of Medieval architecture, conservation and urban planning, baolis or stepwells have played an important role in defining the culture of Delhi
Guides
Holy waters
Exploring the cultural and spiritual significance of water in India and around the world
Team
Komal Chitnis Komal Chitnis is Archive and Programmes Head at Sarmaya. …She holds a Master’s in Archaeology and Museum Studies. Komal has previously completed projects at Pune’s INTACH chapter, New Walk Museum in Leicester, and Oriental Museum at Durham University, and she worked at Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum. She enjoys meme-ing, birding,… Read more »
Spotlight
Thanjavur – Country of Gods & Kings
Between the 16th and 18th centuries, Thanjavur welcomed large communities of Telugu and Marathi speakers as a consequence of Nayaka and Maratha conquests in Cholamandalam. The result was a slow mingling and simmering of cultural influences, resulting in the unique artistic heritage of this temple town
Exhibitions
reimagine II
Inside the studios and minds of seven contemporary artists who have interpreted and re-imagined objects from our collection to tell us stories in their unique styles
Spotlight
Mapping Mirages: The art of Saju Kunhan
Walking the path of the historian, archivist and craftsman, Saju Kunhan creates room for cultures, centuries and civilisations to constantly collide and create new meanings
Reads
Assam’s Mighty Ahom Dynasty
The Ahoms outlasted most other medieval Indian dynasties and gave their name to the state of Assam, but an account of their empire barely finds mention in mainstream culture. Here’s 10 facts that will get you curious to learn more about this northeastern empire
Spotlight
Empire of Faith: Into the realm of the Buddha & the Mauryas
Most Indians are familiar with the great emperors and exploits of the Mauryan empire. But until a few hundred years ago, their legacies lay buried in ruins, their faith forgotten by time. This is the story of a remarkable resurrection
Exhibitions
reimagine I
‘reimagine’ is an ongoing Instagram-exclusive series through which we make connections across the Sarmaya collection and examine the extent to which our ways of seeing — and an object’s own meaning — are informed by time, space, and context
Spotlight
Of Silk and Spice: A Tale of Two Empires
Sometimes rulers are remembered in song, sometimes in the clinking of coins. Let’s explore the empires of the Cheras and Kushans, whose greatness is echoed in the trade routes they forged