The legacy of traditional artists lies in the visual canons and practices they have created over generations, invoking emotions while embodying methods passed down through time. These practices hold particular value in the contemporary world.

The legacy arts of Gond painting, Chamba Rumal embroidery, Chikankari, Bhadohi rug-making, and Madhubani painting are tied to the artists who sustain them. They deconstruct inherited traditions to construct new layers of invention in evolving their generational practices into new practices. Collective solutions resulted from extended conversations among artists, articulating shared dreams, desires, and possible futures for India’s legacy arts. These conversations sparked a plan for collaboration. Of all futures that were visualised, the goal was clear: to thrive in the contemporary context.

By working together, the artists synthesized their practices in a range of Indian textiles, bringing together thread (taar) and embellishments (saaj) preserving the essence of their artwork (saar).