The Kolkata Centre for Creativity (KCC) has inaugurated the seventh edition of its much-awaited annual symposium, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. The event commenced with the launch of a profound exhibition named 'Convergences: A Shared Ground - Lineages, Practices, Futures'. This showcase is presented by Emami Art in a collaborative effort with KCC.
Exploring Roots and Futures Through Art
Broadly centered on critical ideas and practices from eastern and north-eastern India, the exhibition delves into the profound links between culture, ecology, and community. It assembles a diverse array of artistic, craft-based, and architectural practices. These traditions spring from centuries-old wisdom while actively confronting contemporary issues.
By fostering dialogues between materials, methods, and meanings, 'Convergences' highlights practices that prioritize repair, reuse, and renewal. It celebrates not only what is pristine or novel but also what has been carefully mended, creatively reimagined, and thoughtfully carried forward. The exhibition powerfully illustrates how creativity in these regions is intrinsically tied to the land, ritual, and everyday lived experience, uncovering a cosmological view where making is a fundamental way of life.
A Diverse Gathering of Creative Voices
The exhibition features an eclectic mix of artists and collectives. Participants include Anshu Kumari; ARTISANS’ Sustainable Development Foundation X Leshemi Origins; Dulair Devi, Malo Devi, Putli Ganju, Rudhan Devi, Sajhwa Devi (with support from the Sanskriti Museum & Art Gallery, Hazaribagh); and Ruma Choudhury, Silpinwita Das, Simi Deka, Ujjal Dey, and Ujjal Sinha.
Curatorial Vision and Shared Heritage
Speaking on the initiative, Richa Agarwal, CEO of Emami Art and Chairperson of KCC, stated that Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is among the most anticipated events in the KCC calendar. She emphasized that the seventh edition presents an exciting exhibition with a varied lineup of artists and artisans. Agarwal noted that 'Convergences: A Shared Ground — Lineages, Practices, Futures' offers a critical exploration of diverse artistic and artisanal traditions from Eastern and North-eastern India. It initiates vital dialogues between heritage and contemporary expression, aiming to illuminate a shared heritage and the evolving paths of creative practice within these regions.
Curator Ushmita Sahu, Director and Head Curator of Emami Art, added that 'Convergences' brings together contemporary voices working across disciplines to reflect on these shared cultural landscapes. The exhibition engages with key themes of making that show how practices evolve while staying firmly rooted in inherited knowledge systems. Sahu highlighted that in the eastern and north-eastern regions, culture is inseparable from daily life—it is lived, practiced, and transmitted through routine actions, material knowledge, and collective memory.
With its layered curatorial approach, 'Convergences: A Shared Ground — Lineages, Practices, Futures' invites audiences to witness the resilience and continuity of artistic practices that seamlessly connect the past with the present, thereby charting a course for a shared creative future.
