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How Mandu’s vivid architecture appeared on shawls and sarees of this label
Updated On: 08 October, 2023 09:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Ela Das
Rachna Devidayal and Hema Shroff Patel’s collection of textiles and paintings will take you through the hues of the ancient fort city
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Mandu’s architecture dates back to before the 10th century, and was built by empires ranging from the Afghans to Marathas to Mughals; (right) Textile practitioner Hema Shroff Patel (left) and graphic designer and artist Rachana Devidayal have collaborated to capture the scenic heritage architecture in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh. Pics/Ashish Raje
When graphic designer and artist Rachana Devidayal visited self-taught textile practitioner Hema Shroff Patel at her weaver’s atelier in Maheshwar last summer, she had some time to kill, which led her to explore the ancient fort city of Mandu an hour’s drive away. Surrounded by its heritage architecture on a particularly sunny day, Devidayal was taken in by the light and shadow play between the structures, and their jaalis, jharokhas and archways. “The architecture,” she recalls, “is steeped in history, dating back to before the 10th century, built by empires ranging from the Afghans to Marathas to Mughals. There are arches going into arches, which gives such a dramatic effect to the sharp shadows that fall under the sweltering sun.
This led to an idea to collaborate on a show—Devidayal’s first as an artist—unveiling Mandu’s vivid architectural glory on canvas and textiles, and visiting the site together a few more times to experience it in different seasons. While spring blanketed the streets with a carpet of vibrant pink and orange palash flowers, the monsoon, in contrast, created a more broody romantic setting around the monuments, where the bright green moss clung to and patinated everything from the surface of the Dilli Darwaza and to the floor of Hindola Mahal.
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