Sarmaya Spotlight is a magazine-style digital property that explores various themes in the universe of Indian history, art and culture through objects in our collection. Each issue of Spotlight includes interviews, articles, videos, 101 guides, virtual tours and social media campaigns. Browse our archive of over 30 Spotlights below.
What stands out in a study of India’s royalty is not all the fabulous wealth, extravagant lifestyles or legendary eccentricities. It’s the humanity. The delusions of grandeur, the hunger for validation, the aching paranoia. But also, the passion for poetry. The great love for animals. The steadfast loyalties. They were by no means perfect, our… Read more »
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Myths are born and heroes are made through the art of storytelling. When a bard travels from village to village narrating tales of a local event or a minor god, they’re scattering the seeds that will one day grow into a towering forest of legends. Generations will take shade and find inspiration here. This month,… Read more »
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Over centuries, Delhi has come to mean different things to different people. It has drawn saints and scholars, conquerors and traders, refugees and royals to its fertile lands with the promise of shelter, warmth and a place to dream. These dreams were not modest, either. The saints sought spiritual absolution and the conquerors, world domination.… Read more »
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As Independent India turns 71, we look back at the movements that won us our freedom, the struggles that have held us back and the symbols that give us strength. We journey with Delhi as it steps from the medieval world to the modern; we see India through the eyes of historical map-makers; and we… Read more »
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What do you seek from travel? Adventure? A sense of purpose? Or simply a change of scene? For centuries, travellers have landed up in the subcontinent looking for all of the above—with a generous sprinkling of spice. They took back indelible impressions that would inspire travelogues, paintings, photography and even some incredible maps. The voyages… Read more »
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Wise, compassionate and endlessly inventive, Badri Narayan added a pinch of fantasy to every story he told. His art occupies a special place in the Sarmaya collection, not just for their incredible skill and craft, but also for their essentially hopeful perspective on life. His world of dreams and fables offered not the empty promise of escapism, but the deeper comfort of transcendence.
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As you study the vault marked ‘Tipu Sultan’ in the Sarmaya archives, a picture begins to emerge. Of a man who sought beauty and harmony in everything he created, from coins to palaces. Of a warrior so fierce, even his enemies admired him. Of a ruler so charismatic and flawed, even history hesitates to pass judgement.
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Sarmaya has collaborated with celebrated Rajasthani artist Manish Soni to reimagine Christ in a new light and through an Eastern lens. With support and direction from Sarmaya founder Paul Abraham, Soni has revived the ancient Mughal art of Hamzanama painting and used the form brilliantly to retell the legendary tales we know so well.
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When we launched our Art of Travel series this month, we just knew we had to begin with Lucknow. For all the obvious reasons, of course. It’s a city soaked in art and history, and lends itself so beautifully to all manner of poetic interpretation. Plus, the kebabs are heavenly. But there was another reason… Read more »
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Just like us, people in the 1800s too wanted to look their best in pictures. They put on their finest clothes, made sure all their nicest possessions were all in the frame and angled the lens so it would tell their side of the story. Through a sampling of the works in Sarmaya’s first ever… Read more »
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