An affair of art and ancestry
The stone corridors of the venue seemed to breathe during the opening of the second edition of Anant Samagam. A grounded warmth filled the space as the Aalekh Foundation presented an initiative that reflects the homecoming of India’s diverse artistic soul. One could trace the map of India just by touching the fabrics on display. The natural, honeyed glow of Assam’s Muga silk felt right at home next to the bold, hand-tied patterns of Rajasthan’s Bandhani. Looking closely at the fine Jamdani and the pieces by designers like Pallavi Jaipur and Bappaditya Biswas, you really start to appreciate the tired eyes and steady hands of the weavers who still do this work by choice.
The afternoon started with a quiet sort of respect as artist Bose Krishnamachari and dance exponent Sharon Lowen opened the doors, bringing together the masters of the craft and the new energy in the room. Later, Zuher Kollective’s music swelled through the rooms, brushing against Yamini Telkar’s curated paintings from Sameksha Art Gallery. Each canvas, each cloth fold carries tales of rivers, deserts, and the hands still coaxing those traditions forward. Both art and fabric speak straight to regional roots, yanking you out of the city’s grind for a real breath.
Stepping out, those threads still tug. From Rajasthan deserts to Assam rivers, the showcase is bound by weavers’ calluses and artists’ fire. It is a rare nod to roots that pulse alive, holding court at the venue through tonight. Bandhani gleams catch the dusk, Muga silk glows soft. In this weave, our shared past refuses to fade. From Kerala-Northeast to desert-delta-riverine ties, honoring evolutions.
