Contemporary artworks meet everyday objects at the Palimpsest House in Madurai. Earlier this year, beautiful heritage properties and mansions opened their doors to guests for the second edition of the Chettinad Heritage and Cultural Festival. This year, the festival extended its geographical reach and included programming in Madurai as well. In partnership with the Sumanth Ram Collective, Design Pataki co-hosted an art and design showcase that brought together talented designers from around the country working with material and design in interesting new ways. Set against the backdrop of the castle-like Palimpsest House– located on the banks of River Vaigai in Kochadai–the showcase took place marked the closing of the heritage festival. The showcase was one of the many elements that went into curating an unforgettable evening in Madurai.
It was a five-day event that took place from the 29th of September to the 5th of October and was hosted by the Chettinad Heritage and Cultural Trust instituted by the author Mrs Meenakshi Meyyapan. The festival showcased the rich heritage and traditions of the Chettinad region and allowed visitors to explore the town’s art, architecture, culture and cuisine through guided tours, cooking demonstrations at The Bangala, and Carnatic music performances and dance recitals by Leela Samson’s students. The festival was a harmonious blend of history, art, and flavours, making it an event that truly encapsulates the essence of Chettinad’s cultural legacy.
The showcase included brands like Rhizome by Rebecca Reubens, Floating Canvas Company by Rahul Singh Yadav, Shakti Swarup Sahu and Agam Mehta, Eina Ahluwalia, Black Cube by Sanya Malik, Arjun Rathi- Rural Modern Glass, Yasanche by Yashesh Virkar, Nama Home by Namit Khanna, Cocoon Fine Rugs by Ayush Kasilwal, Shailesh Rajput Studio, and artists like and Ajay Patil. The showcase also included the legendary Padma Shri Dashrath Patel – father of NID (National Institute of Design) who talked about the Dashrath Patel Museum in Alibaug which displays his path-breaking work in painting, ceramics, photography and design that can be experienced in totality. Curated by Esha Gupta, the founder of Design Pataki, the pieces are showcased as featured in the images and descriptions that follow.
Left: Candelabras by Eina Ahluwalia, O3 Chairs by Nama Home and Right: Works by various artists including Durghbhai Vyam from the Floating Canvas Company. (Image credits: ps view photography)
Sustainability is a central theme for the house, and so all doors and windows were procured before construction while joineries were made from refurbished wood. The design emphasizes harmony over strict symmetry by incorporating varied proportions throughout the home. The DP OFFLINE X Palimpsest House showcase was an ethereal curation of modern art and design. Over 20 exquisite pieces transcend traditional decor, represent contemporary Indian living, and reinvent the concept of a modern home.
The evening ended on a high note with an intimate dinner put together by Chef Vichithra Rajasinghe alongside musical performances and special announcements. Meanwhile, the Sumanth Collective also announced the launch of its e-commerce platform while Art Mumbai made a satellite launch at the showcase.
