Book Launch: Smarya

Smarya — meaning ​“the act of remembering” — brings together powerful stories of people who craft and live with vernacular furniture in their everyday lives. It speaks of memories held in objects from cherished events, of lives marked by Partition, and of communities built through shared histories. Attended by faculty, staff, and students, the evening saw the authors share the premise of a book that pays homage to the people of Punjab and Haryana — their resilience, their craftsmanship, and the quiet dignity of the objects that hold their stories.

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About the Authors:

Mansi S Rao is the Collection Curator of the South Asia Collection and the SADACC Trust, with research interests in linking museum objects to their socio-cultural contexts within source communities. 

Dr. Ben Cartwright is a former curator of the South Asia Collection and the SADACC Trust, whose research focuses on India’s crafts, art history, and vernacular furniture, with a particular interest in memory and oral histories.

Jay Thakkar is a Senior Associate Professor and Head of Exhibitions at CEPT University, and the founder of DICRC. His work focuses on India’s crafts, vernacular furniture, and indigenous architecture, alongside creative education and research in the craft sector.

Abhishek Ruikar is an architect-turned product designer based in Bengaluru who leads a design studio creating toys, puzzles, and furniture, and has contributed extensively to field research and documentation at DICRC.