Why do we collect what we do? The inexorable pull of nostalgia. The simple human need to draw closer to beauty. The undeniable thrill of acquisition. All these influence the act of collecting. At our archive, each potential addition to the collection is judged by one other criteria: Can this object expand our understanding of the Indian subcontinent and its inexhaustible vault of stories? This holds across genres including rare numismatics, medieval miniature paintings, pioneering early photography in India or contemporary art that poses provocative questions. In a previous edition of ‘This Just In’, we focused solely on works by Indian artists. This time too, we have some incredible talent showcased on our site for the first time. But we wanted to take a broader view to introduce you to all the new objects—and by extension, the new ideas and histories—we’ve been unpacking recently at Sarmaya.
This Just In
Unpacking new objects, ideas and histories
Earth made flesh – The visceral art of Soghra Khurasani
Soghra Khurasani finely shaded woodcut prints and etchings reflect her evolving ideals and multiple identities as Muslim, feminist and mother
“Beauty that unhinges you” – Inside Varunika Saraf’s brilliant art
Varunika Saraf’s paintings draw you in with their vibrant splashes of colour, only to unnerve you with the details veiled underneath. She speaks to Sarmaya about her process, politics and perennial love for the miniature art tradition
Space Age: The celestial art of Desmond Lazaro
The art of Desmond Lazaro is a manifestation of his meticulous research in the fields of cosmology, astronomy, and astrophysics, interpreted through the lens of the miniature art traditions he has imbibed
One tradition, many lives: The Indian miniature
We welcome some priceless miniature paintings into our collection, including the Mughal Hamzanama by exploring the many traditions of this practice in the Sarmaya collection
Wild Child: The world of Gond artist Japani Shyam
Taking forward her father's shining legacy, Japani Shyam has developed her own voice, distinctive styles, point of view and stories to tell in the medium of Gond art
Madhubani paintings: Hidden Dalit histories
Hailing from a family of pioneering Dalit artists, Urmila Devi and Shravan Paswan talk about their trials and triumphs in the world of Madhubani art
Koh-e Asmai – The unspoken words of Havva
In this essay, Arshi Irshad Ahmadzai takes us into the beating heart of her art practice that carries the fragrance of Najibabad and Kabul, and the poetry of Rumi and Ghalib
Coins of Ancient India: A Sarmaya roundup
Our new numismatic acquisitions span the timeline between 200 BCE and 950 CE, representing a diversity of epochs in that millennium
Stretch of imagination: The rise of panoramic photography in India
Tracing the popularisation of the panorama in photography, from its invention by a painter to the pioneering work of Felice Beato
Collecting art & artefacts
Sarmaya Founder Paul Abraham and Brand Custodian Pavitra Rajaram acquire objects to continually enrich our museum's collection. In this Guide, they share some great advice with young collectors on how to engage meaningfully with the art and culture of India
Think Small: Carte de Visites, Cabinet Cards & Travelling Portraits 
Who is an Indian – Crafting Identity Through Photography 
Bhupen Khakhar and the Queering of Modern Art in India 
The Wonderfully Weird World of Waswo X. Waswo 
Dibin Thilakan – Tales of the Land 
reimagine I 
The Great Churn: Indian Military History After the Fall of Aurangzeb 
Maximum Art: The Incredible Journey of Indian Miniatures 
The Slave Who Built a City 
City-Scape – Hyderabad’s Modern Masters of Art