Jan 28 2025 to Jan 28 2025 6:30 p.m.

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

Despite what many people think, India is a land of constant change, innovation and movement. Ephemerality and constant adaptation are woven into Indian philosophies, religions, and customs – whether darshan with a deity, drawing with powdered rangoli or kolams in the early morning, chanting a mantra, practicing yoga, immersing oneself in Aarthi or in offerings to the Divine. Each requires a pause in the rush of daily life. Duty to others, to society, and to the future, is suspended for the moment of being present.

Stephen Huyler has spent his life observing and listening, mesmerized by these very Indian expressions, resulting in six illustrated books, and over 25 museum exhibitions abroad as well as in India.

This session draws on Huyler’s book Transformed By India, exploring his many encounters, from maharajahs to musicians, Dalits to Brahmins, politicians to potters, from layered traditions to recent innovations, of India’s momentary arts.

Stephen Huyler will be in conversation with Sandhya Mendonca. This will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience.
Speakers
Stephen P. Huyler
Author

Stephen Huyler’s life has been dedicated to exploring, surveying, preserving, and celebrating India’s rich artistic and cultural heritage. For 50 years, he has travelled through Indian villages for an average of four months each year.

Art historian, cultural anthropologist, photographer, and author, he has been Consultant/ Guest Curator for more than twenty-five major museum exhibitions of Indian art, with solo exhibitions at the Smithsonian, the Asian Art Museum (San Francisco), and the Kodak Center for Creative Imaging.

His seven books invoke an India rarely seen by outsiders – people, places, and customs which are, today, not known even by many Indians.
Sandhya Mendonca
Journalist, Media Entrepreneur

Sandhya Mendonca is a journalist-turned-media entrepreneur who chronicles people, society, and culture. She’s the founder and chief editor of Raintree Media which specialises in coffee table books, content creation and experiences. She co-authors biographies and other books with industry leaders and politicians for major publishers like HarperCollins and Penguin. Her book ‘Disrupt and Conquer’ was shortlisted for the Gaja Business Book Awards 2022. She writes ‘The Female Gaze’ column for The Sunday Guardian and hosts the ‘Spotlight with Sandhya’ podcast. A gender and cultural advocate, she founded India’s first multi-arts women’s cultural festival, Under the Raintree.