IFA@Pune | Layers Upon Layers: The Life and Work of Maneklal Gajjar by Mala Pradeep Sinha & Suchitra Balasubrahmanyan | August 10, 2024

India Foundation for the Arts (IFA) and Parijat Foundation invite you to an evening of conversations around the life and work of Maneklal Gajjar (1928-2012), a textile block maker and master craftsman from Pethapur, Gujarat.

Mala Pradeep Sinha and Suchitra Balasubrahmanyan embarked on a research project celebrating the life and work of Maneklal Gajjar which culminated in a monograph on his life and milieu, and an exhibition, held in Baroda, Gujarat, in February 2023.

In this session, through materials from Maneklal’s incredible archive of his designs, correspondence with clients, books of accounts, photographs and films, Mala and Suchitra will talk about how Maneklal blurred the boundaries between craft and design and presented himself as a modern personality who is self-reflexive. The presentation will offer us a glimpse into his work, and the shaping of his aesthetic and social persona.

Layers Upon Layers: The Life and Work of Maneklal Gajjar (1928-2012) - textile blockmaker, master craftsman
A presentation and discussion by Mala Pradeep Sinha and Suchitra Balasubrahmanyan

Date: August 10, 2024 | 06:30 PM onwards 

Venue: Model Colony, Gokhale Road, Pune - The full address will be shared upon confirmation of registration

Join us for beverages and hors d'oeuvres post the presentation.

Free and open to all. Limited seating and entry by registration only. To RSVP, write to Aditi at aditi@indiaifa.org with your name, number of people attending and phone number.

Mala Pradeep Sinha is a textile designer based in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Suchitra Balasubrahmanyan is an independent scholar.

Mala Pradeep Sinha received a grant from India Foundation for the Arts (IFA) under the Arts Research programme, made possible with support from Parijat Foundation.

Image Credits: Maneklal Gajjar, Mala Pradeep Sinha and Suchitra Balasubrahmanyan

We thank the Parijat Foundation for making this event possible in Pune.