Art exhibition celebrates Ajeet Cour's legacy of womanhood

Fifteen women artists reinterpret Ajeet Cour's writings through powerful visual narratives.

- NOOR ANAND CHAWLA

(Arpana Caur Durga Kainthola Jayasri Burman)

"But there came a time when from among the ashes accumulated over the years, I rose like a smouldering ember, phoenix-like, gathered and shook myself, like a wild animal shakes the hair on its body, and looked around, with newly opened eyes," is a powerful refrain penned by renowned writer Padma Shri Ajeet Cour in her autobiography 'Weaving Water'.

The words, and the book, have provided inspiration to many women since its release a few years ago.

And now, her wisdom is being interpreted in a thoroughly unique manner. 'Weaving Water: Feminine Countercultures in Paint and Print', an art exhibition featuring the work of India's 15 eminent women artists, visually represents themes from the book and Cour's life which mirror that of many Indian women. A 32-minute film on Cour's life titled 'Water Weaver' made by the Sahitya Akademi and directed by Meera Dewan, is also being shown at the exhibition, which takes place from October 30 to November 9, 2025, at the art gallery in Kamla Devi Complex, India International Centre, New Delhi.

Curated by Jyoti A Kathpalia, the exhibition was launched in the presence of distinguished guests like Prof. Ashis Nandy, Political Psychologist and Social Theorist, Emeritus Fellow, CSDS (New Delhi), Shri K. N. Shrivastava, IAS (Retd.), Director, India International Centre and writer Padma Shri Ajeet Cour.