Triveni Kala Sangam's 75th Anniversary
I was the project director and curator of this celebratory milestone event which took place from 27th February - 15th March 2026 at all venues of Triveni. The celebration included an exhibition of Triveni's archives at Shridharani and Triveni Gallery, which was being done for the first time, performances in the Amphitheatre and Auditorium spaces and a series of Talks.
Triveni & Me
I first got to know about Triveni through my friend Shubhi in 2017. I was working as a graphic designer and missing making art. I remember meeting Mr.Broota to take admission in the dept. a week later after that call, and was appointed to learn under my teacher Mr.Sanjoy Roy, who has taught me everything I know about contemporary art. I fell in love with the dept. and with Triveni and it became an important part of my routine. Luckily I got a chance to work in the office here also, while continuing my studio practice at the dept. (which I still do!)Triveni's archival project started in bits and pieces. Since day one of joining work here, I would hear many stories of artists that had lived through these halls and of Triveni's Founder-Director Sundari K.Shridharani. The stories were amazing, and it felt important to record them in some way. Working together with Triveni's Director, Mr.Amar Shridharani and Triveni's President, Ms.Kavita S. Mohindroo, we began documenting these memories with seriousness from 2023 and uncovered a wealth of archival material—so much so that we realized we had the foundation for an exhibition.It's been a journey putting this show together, and have loved the process and working with an amazing set of people!
From Two Rooms...to a Landmark
75 years ago, a dream took root in the heart of a young woman. Her name was Mrs. Sundari Shridharani. Newly married and a prolific dancer, she had a strong desire to do something meaningful with her time.
Long before Triveni found its permanent sanctuary on the broad, sunlit lanes of Tansen Marg, Mrs. Sundari Shridharani started Triveni in two modest rooms at Connaught Place which were lent by a friend.
The entrance was marked by a dark, narrow staircase. In the first year, the bell rang often, though rarely for students; more often, it signaled the arrival of the cleaner. Yet, Mrs. Sundari Shridharani remained unswayed by the silence, waiting with a patient conviction.
Amidst a single filing cabinet and the steady whir of a rickety table fan, the arts were waiting to unfold, tucked away in a space that felt small but held the weight of a defining future.
What started as a quiet experiment slowly evolved into a sanctuary. To mark our 75th Anniversary, we invite you to step behind the curtain of history. Our commemorative exhibition unveils the "unknown histories" of our making, featuring a curated archive of stories, photographs, and memories from the generations of artists and admirers that have called these halls their home.