Category: Article

The session began informally – checking slides, confirming visibility – but soon unfolded into a deeply layered conversation with Madan Meena. What seemed like a presentation on textiles gradually revealed itself as an exploration of identity, ecology, history, and the philosophy of design embedded within traditional practices. Meena opened by reflecting on his recent trip,… Continue reading Threads of Identity: Botany, Community, And The Living Language Of Rajasthani Textiles

The Marwar Block Print Revival Project is advancing on multiple fronts to reclaim what was lost over the past century — not just the prints, but the rich cultural and design history of Marwar, a desert region in western Rajasthan bordering Sindh to the west and Kachchh to the south. These geographies have shared a… Continue reading The Journey of Prints: Exploring India’s Trade, Craft, and Design Legacy

(Nine months report for the period Oct-2024 to June-2025) The project started with the first grant from Centre for Embodied Knowledge-Hyderabad, through which extensive visits to twenty-eight block printing centres across western Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat were made (see map below). These centres are interconnected due to the migration of the block… Continue reading REPORT : Marwar Block Print Revival Project

Block printing is not merely an artistic tradition; it is a living testament to the movement of people, ideas, and craftsmanship across regions and generations. The story of block printing in western India is intricately woven with the histories of migration, trade, and cultural exchange that have shaped this arid landscape over centuries. From the… Continue reading The Enduring Journey of Block Printing: Tracing Migration Through Design

INDICA’s Center for Embodied Knowledge (CEK) is pleased to collaborate with Jeevika Ashram, Village Indrana, Jabalpur, MP in hosting the Bhikshavritti Festival – a confluence of art, aesthetics and prosperity traditions of Bharat through performances, discussions and immersive experiences between December 27 to 29, 2024. Speaking to CEK, Shri Ashish Kumar Gupta of Jeevika Ashram… Continue reading ‘Bhikshavritti’ Festival – Celebrating Wandering Wisdom

Dr Madan Meena has spent the past 15 years deeply immersed in the art of Rajasthani block prints, focusing on documenting and preserving this crucial element of India’s design history. His journey began with a meticulous study of block designs, which he believes are windows into the evolution of textile design over centuries. Over time,… Continue reading Initiative To Document Vanishing Block Prints Of Western Rajasthan

Our previous gathering at Jeevika Ashram in the quaint, bustling village of Indrana, Jabalpur offered us a glimmering glimpse into the intricate interplay between culture and ecology of this region. The diverse interactions and discussions during our stay helped us gain a deeper understanding of the living history of community life from various unique perspectives.… Continue reading Exploring The Architectural Heritage Of Indrana

The possibility of rebuilding learning in to include Indic traditions beckons at Jeevika Ashram, located in a village called Indrana 30 km from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. The Ashram sits at the base of a hill in the Vindhya Mountains near the Hiran River, surrounded by forests teeming with deers, langoors, jackals and fabled herbs… Continue reading Arthavyavastha – An Indic View Of Economics

Imagine standing at the foot of a hill, and from its crevices, emerge the “Pilla Kalvalu” – tiny streams that sparkle like jewels under the sun. These delicate rivulets, born from the embrace of small stones, hold within them the promise of life. They meander through the landscape, gathering strength with each passing moment, until… Continue reading Who Is Pilla Kalvalu

The Center for Embodied Knowledge is pleased to present a report on Home and Beyond 2.0, another immerse experience for families and especially children to live in harmony with nature. In a fast paced world where everything is available at the click of a mouse, children have had an elemental experience creating a sense of… Continue reading Home And Beyond 2.0