The India International Centre’s Kamla Devi Complex witnessed the inauguration of the exhibition Weaving Water: Feminine Countercultures in Paint and Print, curated by Jyoti A Kathpalia, on Thursday, October 30th, 2025. The exhibition was inaugurated by Prof. Ashis Nandy, Political Psychologist and Social Theorist; Shri K. N. Shrivastava, IAS (Retd.), Director, India International Centre; and Padma Shri Ajeet Cour. The opening drew a large gathering of artists, writers, scholars, and art enthusiasts.
On view until November 9, 2025, the exhibition features the writings of Padma Shri Ajeet Cour alongside works by 15 eminent women artists of India. The works draw inspiration from the strength of independent and courageous women seeking to make their voices heard within an oppressive middle-class family structure — expressed through Cour’s evocative words and vivid artworks by leading Indian artists.
The participating artists include Anupam Sud, Aparna Anand Singh, Aradhna Tandon, Arpana Caur, Bula Bhattacharya, Durga Kainthola, Gogi Saroj Pal, Hemavathy Guha, Jayasri Burman, Kanchan Chander, Manmeet Devgun, Nitasha Jaini, Shivani Aggarwal, Shubhika Lal and Vasudha Thozhur. Their works explore themes of gender, identity, and resilience through diverse mediums such as painting, printmaking, sculpture, and installation.
The exhibition spans multiple forms and materials — from performance art to paintings in oil, acrylic, and charcoal; printmaking through silkscreen and etching; mixed media; and sculptural and installation-based works.
A special highlight of the opening was a performance by Manmeet Devgun inspired by Water Weaver, the Sahitya Akademi film on Ajeet Cour, which received wide appreciation. Passages from Cour’s autobiography were also recited in Punjabi, adding a deeply personal and literary dimension to the event.
Speaking about the exhibition, Padma Shri Ajeet Cour said, “Art and writing are profoundly connected. Both tell stories and express human emotions. I am glad this exhibition brought these forms together.”
Curator Jyoti A Kathpalia remarked, “The exhibition reflects on the silences and struggles of women and their search for equality and alternate ways of being.”
Weaving Water received an enthusiastic response from the public and was lauded for its thoughtful curation, strong visual language, and meaningful engagement with contemporary gender discourse.
