BOITO

Boito îs born out Richa Maheshwari’s desire to connect back with her state, and make visible the textiles and stories of her people.

The journeys into Odisha have been like no other.

The intricacy of artisanal techniques, the sheer madness of things created for customs and congregations left us gobsmacked. Resources are limited, knowledge runs deep, resilience is astounding.

Sadly, despite much collective effort, this reservoir of beauty and belief systems lives in the shadow of financial difficulty. Something is lost and must be found. This artisanal expertise must be helped to flourish.

Historically Boito (boat) would set sail from Odisha laden with textiles for trade. The festival Boito Bandana celebrates with zest and vigour the memory of its maritime history, and pray for its revival.

The show is curated with a view to evoke cultural appreciation and open up new possibilities. We invite you to get a glimpse into this landscape full of myths, folklore and fabulous craft techniques and to get to know the people who inspire the making of BOITO

Anshu Arora,

October, 2023