Chicago-based journalist-photographer Victoria Lautman’s obsessive affair with stepwells or baolis started in Rajasthan. Her passion eventually found expression in her book, The Vanishing Stepwells of India.
ALMOST THREE DECADES AGO, CHICAGO based journalist-photographer Victoria Lautman travelled to India’s Golden Triangle—Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. It was her first trip to India. She stopped a dozen times a day to drink roadside chai, and as she soaked in the intriguing history of the states she was passing through, she stumbled upon an unanticipated obsession: baolis or stepwells. The fascination grew over time and she has now authored a book on stepwells, titled The Vanishing Stepwells of India, which has been published by Merrell Publishers. “Everyone who loves India will describe the usual things— colours, people, aroma, architecture… all of these did overwhelm me in a tangible way, but something beyond all of that stayed with me. I thought I’d gotten India out of my system, but it turned out I’d never be able to. I kept going back. Rajasthan started it all,” says Lautman.
Steeped in history
In her book, Lautman documents over 120 stepwells across India and their intricate histories. A major impetus for this came in 2014, when Gujarat’s opulent baoli, Rani Ki Vav in Patan, made it to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.
この記事は MARWAR India の May - June 2017 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は MARWAR India の May - June 2017 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Postcards from Rajasthan
With fashion labels capturing the captivating beauty of traditional weaves, we explore the portrayal of the exquisite Rajasthani Banjaran rhapsody.
The Lawver Who Loves Cooking
In her book Bapu’s Curries: Culinary Journey of a Father, Shreeparna Khaitan takes us through the culinary journey of her father Umesh Khaitan and his passion for cooking. Flip through the pages for an excerpt from the book and authentic recipes straight from a Marwari household.
Hold, Sip & Enjoy Your Cuppa
A tete-a-tete with Mishthi Aggarwal, Founder-CEO, 93 Degrees Coffee Roasters, the fourth generation of the Bikanervala legacy, and the only woman specialty coffee roaster in India.
50 YEARS OF SPREADING Happiness
With the business conglomerate Emami marking its golden jubilee in 2024, MARWAR India explores its successful journey that started back in 1974 in the humble lanes of Burra Bazaar in Kolkata. The only business group in India run by two partner families unrelated by blood, the brand is rooted yet global in its appeal. Over to Aditya Agarwal and Manish Goenka, Promoter-Directors, Emami Group, on celebrating five decades in the industry.
A Powerhouse from The East
Cosmic Birla Group is a tale of vision, entrepreneurship, and commitment to excellence.
A WARRIOR on Many Fronts...
From becoming the first woman from the Marwari community to join the Indian Army Dental Corps to emerging as the pioneer woman paratrooper, Dr. Captain Reeta Rajkishor Biyani also known as Ritu Biyani, has had a journey of courage and resilience.
The Rolex Renaissance
To mark the International Women's Day, a shout out to women watch aficionados to embark on a journey of alluring Rolex wristwatches and consider adding some of them, at least, to your existing collection.
Style it up with Lights
Brighten up your decor with intriguing lights that give a unique character to your room and maximise your space. Browse through this luxurious selection of immersive lights for an unparalleled experience.
THE MODERN MINIMALIST
An immersive experience of the updated Range Rover Velar changes little of its outer persona while cleaning up the interior, yet somehow improving on its already-regal ride quality.
Capturing The Essence of Freedom
Swadheen, a retrospective exhibition held at Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery, Mumbai, celebrated the life and times of Jankidevi Bajaj, a proponent of Gandhian values and staunch supporter of Khadi.