Holy waters
Exploring the cultural and spiritual significance of water in India and around the world
Sea of Stories
“My landscapes are testaments to the silent lands of Assam”
Through this series of woodcut prints, Chandan Benz Baruah looks back at the forests of his childhood with love for what they gave him and rage for what’s being taken from them
10 interesting facts about Mughal gardens
Mughal emperors considered gardens as one of the most important architectural components of their state—so what made a garden adequately ‘Mughal’? Here are 10 clues
Ripple effect
Two contemporary creators, Zishaan K Latif and Sahil Vasudeva, on how water flows through their filmmaking, photography and music practice
‘By saving our tigers, we saved our rivers too’
Did you know that most of India’s rivers originate in forests? To understand this invisible connection, we interviewed conservationist, naturalist, wildlife photographer and President of the Wildlife Conservation Trust, Dr Anish Andheria
Heritage walk on Mumbai’s water histories with Akanksha Gupta
A unique heritage walk led by Akanksha Gupta helped us understand Mumbai’s history, politics and culture through an exploration of the routes water takes to reach our homes
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
Mata Ni Pachedi, Vahanvati Mata
Goddess Vahanvati is also known as Sikotar Mata. The Goddess is closely associated with the sea, commerce, and traders. She is revered by seafarers and is frequently depicted sitting on a boat with outstretched sails. In this Pachedi, the six-armed Goddess is illustrated on a boat-like structure. Worshippers and deities from the Hindu epics decorate… Read more »
Sea of Stories
In the 32nd issue of Spotlight, we explore how the basic human instinct to stay close to water has shaped Indian culture, art and history
Gateways to India
The sea is witness to much that defines India and our port cities are the sentinels of change. Let’s travel to some old and new ports through the Sarmaya collection of maps and engravings and imagine them at the peak of their power
River of Faith
Through the veins of a centuries-old textile art tradition flow the waters of a once-mighty river. Follow the journey of a Mata-ni-Pachedi painting as it takes birth on the banks of the Sabarmati
Holy waters
Exploring the cultural and spiritual significance of water in India and around the world
Worshipping water – Faith & conservation in Indian culture
Let’s travel to some picturesque and iconic Indian destinations where water is worshipped as saviour, sustainer, and bringer of salvation