Anvaya Exhibition 2026, presented by Aabharnam Foundation, arrives in Chennai as a refined showcase of India’s living craft traditions, where mythology intersects with master craftsmanship.
Event Details:
What: Anvaya, an exhibition on India’s historic art, craft and textile traditions
Where: The Folly Amethyst, No. 239 Whites Road, Royapettah, Chennai – 600014
When: 28–30 April 2026
Timing: 11 AM – 8 PM
Who: Aabharnam Foundation
Aabharnam, a New Delhi-based craft foundation with a 75-year legacy in India’s textile ecosystem, presents Anvaya as an exploration of mythology through historic art, craft, and textile traditions. Curated by Neha Verma, the three-day exhibition brings together rare, museum-quality pieces alongside contemporary interpretations by 18 master artisans.
“The exhibition started today on a beautiful and auspicious note with a graceful inauguration, marking the beginning of this much-anticipated showcase.”
“The exhibition,” as explained by Neha Verma, the curator, “is an assertion that Indian art, craft, and textile traditions, when nurtured with integrity, naturally transcends time.”
At a time when handcrafted traditions face increasing pressure from industrial replication and global homogenisation, Anvaya positions itself as both a response and a responsibility towards preserving craft and supporting artisan communities.
Mythology emerges as a central narrative across the exhibition, expressed through regional practices. Odisha’s Pattachitra tradition is represented by Apindra Swain, who illustrates episodes from the Ramayana and Krishna Leela using natural pigments. From West Bengal, artisan Prashad Acharya presents intricate Kantha embroidery, crafted from repurposed textiles, reflecting sustainability embedded within tradition.
The devotional narrative continues through Naveen Soni’s Pichwai paintings centred on Shrinathji, traditionally used as temple backdrops in Nathdwara. Mythological storytelling further extends into Guna Sekhar’s Kalamkari works and Vijay Soni’s Sanjhi art, each reinterpreting cultural lore through distinct artistic languages.
From Pilkuhwa, Uttar Pradesh, artisan Arshad Kafil brings finely detailed wood and brass carvings inspired by nature, continuing a lineage that includes Shilp Gurus and National Awardees. His work reflects a deep-rooted connection to cultural history while remaining relevant for contemporary audiences.
Anvaya marks Aabharnam’s first independent showcase in Chennai, following its earlier editions at Jahan-e-Khusrau in Delhi, inaugurated by Narendra Modi in 2025 and Kirti Vardhan Singh in 2026.
At the heart of the exhibition are Aabharnam’s Banarasi and Chanderi saris, developed by women artisans who have preserved these weaving traditions across generations.
“These crafts haven’t survived by chance, but through the deliberate and quiet resilience of the hands that carry them forward, and the patrons who support them,” says Neha Verma, Aabharnam.
Drawing from its Sanskrit meaning ‘lineage’, Anvaya presents craft not as nostalgia, but as continuity. It redefines luxury through patience, provenance, and permanence, positioning itself as a bridge between memory and mastery, where tradition is not just preserved, but actively lived and reinterpreted.
