Vishwa Patel

शंखध्वनि Shankhadhvani (Echo of the Conch)

This work is a part of a quadriptych which reinterprets the apsara carvings of Rani Ki Vav, a stepwell built by Queen Udayamati in the 11th century in Patan, Gujarat, through the lens of miniature painting. Apsaras—celestial dancers depicted in moments of play—symbolize joy, fluidity, and feminine power. By portraying them in playful states, the work challenges conventional views of women’s roles in history, offering a reminder that women have also embraced joy, freedom, and self-expression. It also acknowledges the immense labor behind both the original carvings, emphasizing that every element in the imagery is intentional. This series incorporates bindis as a tangible link to contemporary femininity and an embroidered circle as a symbol of women as the sustainers of the universe, according to many Hindu thoughts. By blending traditional iconography with contemporary relevance, these paintings aim to have these carvings more accessible across borders and across time.