En route is an interdisciplinary artistic exploration that emerges from a profound collaborative dialogue between Maria Grazia Chiuri, Creative Director of Dior’s Women’s Lines, and Karishma Swali, Creative Director of the Chanakya School of Craft. This project is conceived for the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, reflecting the confluence of culture and craftsmanship.
At its core, en route honours the legacies of five pioneering women — Elizabeth Bisland Wetmore, Annie Cohen Kopchovsky, Elizabeth Cochrane, Gertrude Bell, and Agnes Smith Lewis — whose defiance of societal constraints redefined the boundaries of travel, identity, and belonging. Through the lens of these women, it becomes evident that craft is not an isolated practice, but part of a broader global dialogue, where techniques, materials, and ideas are exchanged and reimagined across cultures.
This evolving exchange takes tangible form, culminating in an installation featuring a series of crafted abstractions that honour the spirit of exchange. Four maps, rendered in translucent layers of dried linen and hemp and enriched by the delicate kantha stitch, evoke the tactile fragility of ancient parchment. Central to the installation are two globes, handcrafted from layered textiles, kantha embroidery, and couching needlepoint techniques. The first globe explores various textile traditions from around the world, honouring the coming together of cultures. The second globe is more intimate, capturing the inner worlds of artisans from the Chanakya School of Craft, many of whom have never travelled beyond their local communities.
In an exploration of craft's evolving boundaries, the Chanakya School of Craft also partnered with Italian musician Lorenzo Cherubini, known as Jovanotti, to create three torans — traditional Indian door hangings. Installed at the entrance of the Library, these torans serve as a symbolic gesture of welcome, inviting visitors into a space where the transformative power of archives converges with the universality of music and craft.
Among the stories we discovered, Agnes Smith Lewis left an indelible mark. Above the door of her Cambridge home, she inscribed the words lampada tradam — “I will pass on the torch.” This simple, yet profound phrase encapsulates the very essence of En route — a reflection on the transmission of knowledge, creativity, and cultural memory across generations and geographies. In this project, we celebrate those who have carried the torch — and those who continue to illuminate the path forward.
En route is on view from 15 February to 20 December, 2025 at the Vatican Apostolic Library in Vatican City.
Derived from the transformative power of nature, Towards Light is a spontaneous immersion into the coexistence between man and the natural world. From it emerges a fantastical universe, where the interconnectedness between all beings, their innate nature, and the ecosystems they inhabit come into sharp focus. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the interconnectedness unfolds in dialogue, uniting the real and the metaphysical worlds.
The works explore the intersection of handwoven textiles, hand embroidery, and stone carving as tactile forms of expression. By blurring the boundaries between internal and external spaces, they evoke enigmatic realms awash with vivid colour and untethered by definition. Through their juxtaposition, they engage an introspective, collective consciousness, inviting personal reflection on our relationship with the natural world and our sense of self.
Indigenous craft traditions amplify this conceptual framework, celebrating artisanal legacies through the meticulous arrangement of materials, needlepoint and knotting techniques such as couching, bullion knots, crochet, stem stitch, feather stitch and fine stitch. In addition to the crafted works, textile abstractions handwoven on a custom-built Saori loom in vibrant colours, mirror the raw forms in the crafted works. A village of sculptures further explores the space between anthropomorphic forms and abstract vessels of knowledge. Primitive in shape yet complex in concept and technique, these sculptures balance the playful spirit of experimentation with a brute, spare physicality.
Together, these works examine the full spectrum of fibre-based materials — from processes such as loom weaving, hand weaving, hand embroidery, and dyeing, and experiments with diverse mediums, fabrication, and thread. By delving into the historical context, symbolism, and regional variations of craft, the collectives practice not only underscores the infinite potential of craft but also narrates powerful stories of cultural heritage and shared identities.
Towards Light was unveiled at the India Art Fair, 2025 in New Delhi.
Aravalli hills – the quiet guardians of Jodhpur have shaped its story through stone and wind. Their red earth keeps this city from becoming a desert. It is from these hills that the Mehrangarh Fort stands tall, drawing its strength from their primal energy. As the oldest mountain range on Earth, the Aravallis — from the Sanskrit "ara" and "vali," meaning "line of peaks" — carry a profound legacy.
The works represent the unspoken connection between the land and the communities it sustains. Woven on customised loom, the textiles capture the shifting, raw forms of the Aravalli Hills. The two panels are crafted using traditional loom-weaving techniques – basket weave, and chevron weave with organic, hand- dyed cotton. The techniques extend beyond weaving; deliberate, fine hand-embroidery traces the contours of the textile panels, inviting the viewer to experience the tactile connection between the hills' ancient energy and the form it takes in textile. The sculpture serves as a visual metaphor for the women who weave
with in the domestic realm, honouring their spirit of self-reliance and ability to create beyond the loom. Its core is formed from bamboo, interlaced with organic cotton threads through basket and mat hand-weaving techniques, bridging heritage and innovation.
Together, these works engage with the full spectrum of fibre-based materials — from processes such as loom weaving, hand weaving, hand embroidery and dyeing, fabrication and thread. Each work provides both content and meaning, raising questions about process and purpose, and ultimately blurring the distinctions between art and craft.
The Aravalli was showcased at Surface from 14 January to 23 February in Jodhpur.
In celebration of the 210th anniversary of the Indian Museum, Kolkata, The Sun Within transforms the museum’s historic courtyard into a space of contemplation. This installation features three monumental black stone sculptures, each standing 6 feet tall. The sculptures embody the primal energy of the sun, symbolizing life, renewal, and light. They remind us that the sun’s essence—its light, strength, and energy—resides within all of us and that we are all, in our own way, children of the sun.
Intricate etchings on the stone depict radiating patterns that evoke the brilliance of the sun, while thread weaving encircles each piece, forming an aura that symbolises unseen forces of connection and vitality. The combination of the enduring strength of stone with the delicate intricacy of threadwork reflects the interplay between permanence and transience, reminding us of our inner resilience and light.
The Sun Within explores the cyclical nature of existence and humanity’s timeless bond with the natural world. Positioned in the museum’s courtyard, the three sculptures create a meaningful dialogue between heritage and modernity, celebrating the eternal light that connects and empowers us all.
Children of the Sun is open for public viewing from 11 January to 31 March 2025, at the Indian Museum, Kolkata.
In 1920, aboard the SS Mantua, India made history by sending its inaugural Olympic team of three athletes to the Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium, marking a pivotal moment in the history of Indian sportsmanship. With Citius - Altius – Fortius, we honour this 100-year milestone by celebrating the grit and enduring legacy of the Olympic Games and its athletes.
Commissioned by JSW Foundation and Sangita Jindal, Chairperson, these works collectively embody Olympism’s fundamental principles of excellence and community, while highlighting our shared commitment to preserving traditional culture through contemporary art.
Two of the three crafted works commemorate pivotal moments in Indian sports history: Sakshi Malik’s breakthrough bronze in wrestling at the 2016 Rio Olympics and Neeraj Chopra’s gold in javelin at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The central piece, featuring a torch and a wreath, serves as an ode to human resilience and symbolizes the continuity of the games from past to present. The works are meticulously handcrafted using a variety of materials and needlepoint techniques, such as couching, bullion knots, running stitch, crochet, and stem stitch, complemented by carpet-weaving methods like hand-knotting and hand-tufting.
Art and sports, though seemingly distinct, share a profound connection as powerful means of creative expression. By drawing parallels between these two disciplines and exploring their rich cultural contexts, Citius - Altius – Fortius, celebrates the indomitable human spirit.
Citius — Altius — Fortius was unveiled on August 9th at the 7th Arrondissement Town Hall, 116 Rue De Grenelle, Paris.
An artistic collaboration between Madhvi Parekh, Manu Parekh, Karishma Swali, and the Chanakya Foundation. Curated by Maria Alicata and Paola Ugolini.
Manu Parekh's art assimilates India's cultural tapestry while embracing elements of Western modernism and abstract expressionism. His vibrant compositions, characterized by broken lines, stripes, crosses, and floral motifs, embody the cosmic harmony of masculine and feminine energies. On the other hand, Madhvi Parekh's works portray formidable female deities encircled by celestial beings and symbolic representations, inspired from Indian myths and emphasizing the connection between humanity and the divine. Karishma Swali and 320 highly-skilled artisans from Chanakya conceptualized and interpreted the textile re-imaginings through meticulous needlework embroidery and handcrafting techniques, utilizing organic materials like raw linen, jute, silk, and cotton. The result becomes a true conceptual act: a creative dialogue that reinvents the role of the artist and the artisan, and blurs the boundaries between art and craft.
The exhibition, titled 'Cosmic Garden,' emerges from an ongoing fertile exchange between acclaimed Indian artists Madhvi Parekh and Manu Parekh, in collaboration with Karishma Swali, Artistic Director of Mumbai-based Chanakya School of Craft — a non-profit institute committed to the emancipation of women through craft. Marking its inaugural showcase in Venice, the presentation pays homage to the pluralistic beauty of India’s artisanal legacies and indigenous art traditions. Curated by Paola Ugolini and Maria Alicata, the exhibition is set to be unveiled at the Salone Verde - Art & Social Club in Venice, Italy, from April 20th to November 24th, 2024.
This carefully curated collection embraces a multidisciplinary approach, dismantling entrenched ideological hierarchies within the art world. It casts a spotlight on the contemporary reinterpretation of traditional techniques, transcending conventional boundaries to carve out a fresh artistic vernacular rooted in collective cultural histories. The exhibition features an array of works, including paintings and sculptures, as well as their metamorphosis into a third interdisciplinary medium—hand-embroidery — an art form refined over millennia.
The exhibition, titled 'Cosmic Garden,' emerges from an ongoing fertile exchange between acclaimed Indian artists Madhvi Parekh and Manu Parekh, in collaboration with Karishma Swali, Artistic Director of Mumbai-based Chanakya School of Craft — a non-profit institute committed to the emancipation of women through craft. Marking its inaugural showcase in Venice, the presentation pays homage to the pluralistic beauty of India’s artisanal legacies and indigenous art traditions. Curated by Paola Ugolini and Maria Alicata, the exhibition is set to be unveiled at the Salone Verde - Art & Social Club in Venice, Italy, from April 20th to November 24th, 2024.
This carefully curated collection embraces a multidisciplinary approach, dismantling entrenched ideological hierarchies within the art world. It casts a spotlight on the contemporary reinterpretation of traditional techniques, transcending conventional boundaries to carve out a fresh artistic vernacular rooted in collective cultural histories. The exhibition features an array of works, including paintings and sculptures, as well as their metamorphosis into a third interdisciplinary medium—hand-embroidery — an art form refined over millennia.
Manu Parekh's art assimilates India's cultural tapestry while embracing elements of Western modernism and abstract expressionism. His vibrant compositions, characterized by broken lines, stripes, crosses, and floral motifs, embody the cosmic harmony of masculine and feminine energies. On the other hand, Madhvi Parekh's works portray formidable female deities encircled by celestial beings and symbolic representations, inspired from Indian myths and emphasizing the connection between humanity and the divine. Karishma Swali and 320 highly-skilled artisans from Chanakya conceptualized and interpreted the textile re-imaginings through meticulous needlework embroidery and handcrafting techniques, utilizing organic materials like raw linen, jute, silk, and cotton. The result becomes a true conceptual act: a creative dialogue that reinvents the role of the artist and the artisan, and blurs the boundaries between art and craft.
Belong was showcased at the India Art Fair, 2024
“Belong is a tribute to the spirit - common to us all, the wonder of nature and the interconnectedness of all life forms. Through this presentation, our endeavour is to honour the profound role craft plays in preserving our collective heritage and nurturing communities.”
—Karishma Swali, Chairperson & Creative Director,
Chanakya School of Craft.
Derived from the transformative power of nature, Belong is a spontaneous immersion into the coexistence between man and the natural world. From it emerges a fantastical universe, where the interconnectedness between all beings, their inherent nature, and the ecosystems they inhabit come into sharp focus.
Through an interdisciplinary approach, the interconnectedness unfolds: the central figures seamlessly integrate into the landscape, embodying a sense of profound belonging. The use of indigenous craft traditions further amplifies the narrative, underscoring the importance of preserving and celebrating artisanal legacies. The concept is brought to life by the meticulous arrangement of materials and techniques with threads secured using variations of needlepoint techniques such as couching, bullion knots, running stitch, crochet and stem stitch to create a Sfumato effect, a technique of allowing tones and colours to shade gradually into one another, producing softened outlines or hazy forms.
Exhibition Details
Opening Dates: February 1, 2024 to February 4, 2024
Venue: India Art Fair, Delhi
“Belong is a tribute to the spirit - common to us all, the wonder of nature and the interconnectedness of all life forms. Through this presentation, our endeavour is to honour the profound role craft plays in preserving our collective heritage and nurturing communities.”
Karishma Swali, Chairperson & Creative Director,
Chanakya School of Craft.
Chanakya Ateliers and Dior unveil artistic collaboration celebrating nature's wonders and India's artisanal legacies
Physical, spiritual and ecological themes from our natural world, and their implicit interconnectedness have been rooted in ancient and indigenous traditions for centuries.
Our affinity for nature — its majestic wonders as well as its boundless mysteries — manifest in organic shapes and forms. Underscoring these thematic notions are a series of crafted artworks imagined by Artistic Director, Karishma Swali, and brought to life by the master artisans of the Chanakya Ateliers. Collectively, they create visual landscapes showcasing the mastery of hand-craftsmanship, reflecting the colours, energy, and harmony of earth, sea, sky and the cosmos. This inherent talent is present even today, kept alive and vibrant through the guru-shishya tradition of mentoring, the knowledge passed on personally and honed through apprenticeship.
Expanding on our rich cultural heritage and a three-decade long creative partnership with Maria Grazia Chiuri, Artistic Director of Dior Women’s Collections, we bring forth a presentation dedicated to the creative spirit of our master artisans. Through their collective stories, we thread the past, present and the incredible savoir-faire of India’s artisanal legacies. We welcome you to discover eleven schools of hand-craftsmanship brought to life through this artistic collaboration.
You can explore this exhibition captured in a 3D 360˚ format by clicking on the markings on the floor to move within the space. To know more about the object / artwork / garment, click on the hotspots besides them to learn more. Immerse yourself, browse, swipe, pinch to zoom into intricate details and enjoy the presentation - as if you are really there.
Exhibition Details
Opening Dates: April 1, 2023 - April 22, 2023
Venue: Chanakya International, Mumbai, India
Time: 11:00am - 7:00pm; Tuesday - Sunday (closed on Mondays)
A showcase of 22 large-scale textile artworks by award winning Indian artists Madhvi and Manu Parekh
Mūḷ Māthī; From The Roots is a showcase of 22 large-scale textile artworks by award- winning Indian Artists Madhvi and Manu Parekh in collaboration with Dior and Maria Grazia Chiuri, Artistic Director of Dior’s Women’s Collections, and Chanakya Craft Collective and Karishma Swali, Artistic Director of Chanakya Craft Collective. Curated by Asia Society India Centre, as a postscript to an original commission by Maria Grazia Chiuri for the scenography of her Dior Couture spring-summer 2022 runway show, the exhibition presents 22 textile artworks, along with archival material, in an Indian context and for Indian audiences for the first time.
The exhibition is an homage to the Parekhs, whose practices have a long-standing relationship with vernacular artistic traditions, an ode to the legacies of embroidery-work and textiles, and a critical reflection on the possibilities of collaborations and patronage in the preservation and sustainability of craft-based artistic work.
This exceptional series of artworks was created by 320 artisans from the Chanakya Ateliers, as well as female artisans from the Chanakya School of Craft, a non-profit school dedicated to craft, culture, and women's expression, who partnered together for more than three months to embroider 340 square meters (3,600 square feet) of work entirely by hand. The resulting interpretations become new works in their own right, poised between quotation, stylistic exercise, and interpretation, reactivated by the gesture of craft using the language of embroidery.
You can explore this exhibition captured in a 3D 360˚ format by clicking on the markings on the floor to move within the space. To know more about the object / artwork / garment, click on the hotspots besides them to learn more. Immerse yourself, browse, swipe, pinch to zoom into intricate details and enjoy the presentation - as if you are really there.
Exhibition Details
Opening Dates: April 1, 2023 - April 22, 2023
Venue: Snowball Studios Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
Time: 11:00am - 7:00pm; Tuesday - Sunday (closed on Mondays)
The Chanakya x Dior retrospective exhibition reveals an exclusive craft and design collaboration, featuring 50 hand-embroidered couture pieces and rare art and craft antiquities
You can explore this exhibition captured in a 3D 360˚ format by clicking on the markings on the floor to move within the space. To know more about the object / artwork / garment, click on the hotspots besides them to learn more. Immerse yourself, browse, swipe, pinch to zoom into intricate details and enjoy the presentation - as if you are really there.
Exhibition Details
Opening Dates: April 1, 2023 - April 22, 2023
Venue: Chanakya International, Mumbai, India
Time: 11:00am - 7:00pm; Tuesday - Sunday (closed on Mondays)
The exclusive Chanakya x Dior retrospective featured 50 hand-embroidered archival pieces made with Chanakya across 16 couture and prêt-à-porter collections. Each season, Chanakya works collaboratively with the historic maison to innovate across various genres of craft and design to handcraft couture, ready-to-wear, accessories and fine art. To give insight into this process, each dress featured was told through a craft perspective, supported by its miniature design reference, raw materials and contemporary variations of traditional craft techniques. The presentation also offers an inside look into the Chanakya private collection, featuring close to 300 examples of rare global art antiquities and craft objects from Chanakya's historical archive.
Notable pieces on display include a series of Victorian dresses from the 19th century, an embroidered cape gifted to an emperor of the Ming dynasty from the 18th century, 20th century central-Asian Ikat robes, Indian nomadic wear, and several fine examples of phulkari from Punjab.
