Rooftop – Where India Inspires Creativity

The Lavanyavati Manuscripts of Orissa

Long before paper made its way to southern India, artists were using engraving techniques to create art on palm leaves. These palm leaf manuscripts of the past tell many local stories in innovative ways. Manuscript making was quite popular in Odisha, which is where the ‘Romance of Chandrabhanu and Lavanyavati’ originates from.

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The Laur-Chanda Paintings: A Tale of Sufi Romance

Certain romances are timeless: they transcend the boundaries of time, fate, and circumstance. In this blog, we explore yet another tale of forbidden love. As Laur and Chanda get entangled in a web of societal norms and personal desires, will they be able to persevere and triumph against all odds?

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The Diverse Interpretations of the Panchasiriya Motif in Warli Painting

Everyone knows what Warli art looks like, but few know the exact significance of its motifs. To truly ‘know’ Warli art, we must indulge in the stories of the Warli community. What we consider merely artistic symbols or motifs represent generations of cultural beliefs and spiritual practices that make up the Warli identity. As we explore the Panchasiriya motif, let us also gain a deeper understanding of Warli art itself.

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fireworks in Indian art

Fireworks in Indian Art: Sparklers and Celebration

From the discovery of fire to the invention of fireworks – we humans have always been fascinated by light. Time and again, poets and artists have strived to represent the brilliance of light on their canvases. Be it Van Gogh’s famous painting “Starry Night” or S L Haldankar’s “Glow of Hope”.  Perhaps, it was this

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Timeless Tales And Artistic Traditions: The Panchatantra In Indian Art and Beyond

Animal fables take us back to our childhood- a utopia of wax crayons, tinkle comics, and Parle-G. Who can forget reading about Aesop’s fables and the Panchatantra? Animal fables are an excellent device to teach children about morality and the concepts of right and wrong. As such, they have been used for millennia to break down ethical concepts into simple, bite-sized pieces.

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Art From The Ahmednagar School of Miniature Painting

In previous Rooftop blogs, we’ve explored each school of Rajasthani Miniature painting in detail, and made several studies of the different paintings in the Mughal School. We’ve only recently mentioned the Deccan School of Miniature Painting. Today, let’s take a look at one of the Deccan sub-schools and explore the paintings of the Ahmednagar School of Miniature Painting.

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Biennale

The Biennale Culture: A movement taking the Indian art world by storm 

If you are an avid art enthusiast, you’ve probably been fascinated by this opulent phenomenon of the art world – the Biennale. The most popular and global Biennales are the Venice Biennale, the Berlin Biennale and The Whitney Biennale. But recently, the biennale has come right to our doorstep, emerging as a coveted art event.

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February Art Exhibitions

5 Must-Visit February Art Exhibitions and Festivals In India 

As the month of February dawns, the Indian art scene continues to flourish, offering a captivating array of February art exhibitions and festivals. This specially curated list promises to enthral art enthusiasts, collectors, and those curious about the world of creative expression. From an art festival and crafts mela to exhibitions on folk, traditional and

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