The India International Centre’s Kamla Devi Complex came alive on Thursday evening with the inauguration of Weaving Water: Feminine Countercultures in Paint and Print, a powerful exhibition curated by Jyoti A Kathpalia. The show, which opened to a packed audience of artists, writers, scholars, and art lovers, was inaugurated by Prof. Ashis Nandy, Political Psychologist and Social Theorist; Shri K. N. Shrivastava, IAS (Retd.), Director, India International Centre; and Padma Shri Ajeet Cour.
On view until November 9, 2025, the exhibition brings together the evocative writings of Padma Shri Ajeet Cour and the works of 15 eminent women artists from across India. The showcase draws on the strength and resilience of independent women who have challenged patriarchal and middle-class family structures — weaving their struggles and assertions through words and visual expression.
Among the participating artists are Anupam Sud, Aparna Anand Singh, Aradhna Tandon, Arpana Caur, Bula Bhattacharya, Durga Kainthola, Gogi Saroj Pal, Hemavathy Guha, Jayasri Burman, Kanchan Chander, Manmeet Devgun, Nitasha Jaini, Shivani Aggarwal, Shubhika Lal, and Vasudha Thozhur. Their works span diverse mediums from painting, printmaking, sculpture, and installation that explores the interconnections between gender, identity, and creative autonomy.
The exhibition’s range is as expansive as its theme, encompassing performance art, oil and acrylic paintings, charcoal works, silkscreen and etching prints, mixed media, and sculptural installations.
A special highlight of the opening evening was a performance by Manmeet Devgun inspired by Water Weaver, the Sahitya Akademi film on Ajeet Cour. The performance received wide acclaim for its emotional depth and artistic interpretation. Adding a literary touch to the evening, passages from Cour’s autobiography were recited in Punjabi, giving the audience an intimate glimpse into the writer’s world.
Reflecting on the relationship between art and literature, Padma Shri Ajeet Cour said, “Art and writing are profoundly connected. Both tell stories and express human emotions. I am glad this exhibition brought these forms together.”
Curator Jyoti A Kathpalia described the exhibition as “a reflection on the silences and struggles of women and their search for equality and alternate ways of being.”
Weaving Water has drawn praise for its thoughtful curation, striking visual language, and its nuanced engagement with contemporary gender discourse, affirming the vitality of women’s voices in India’s evolving art landscape.
About Author
Leave a Reply