http://www.thepindcollective.org/

The Pind Collective, Jaipur (2026)

15/08/2022

On the 75th anniversary of independence of our twin nations, here is a stanza from Agha Shahid Ali’s “By the Waters of the Sind”. On this Independence Day, may we remember that which holds us together, and that to which we may always return. Over the coming week, as we reflect on the legacy of this day, seventy five years ago, we will turn to the Pind Collective archives and the incredible work that our artists have produced, across borders and disciplines, over the past six years. We look back to look forward, to each other to more fully see ourselves.

05/08/2022

At the end of an incredible set of collaborations and exchanges, we are thrilled to have produced a set of stunning, thoughtfully researched visual guides that allow us new ways to understand the subcontinent. Bringing us to the close of the , here’s a look at how .pahul put together the fantastic Hariti zine: "The focus of ’s research was on the fascinating story of Hariti and how this story travels across the continent – creating intersections between different cultures and religions. This also brings into focus how a religious figure is transformed while traversing contexts and geographies. Keeping this in mind, the use of multiple, ever-changing silhouettes in the zine was very important - to destabilize the idea of a singular form. It was crucial for the viewers to be able to read the plurality that exists in Hariti’s representation. I chose to approach the space and compositions akin to painted paper scrolls from Asia and illustrations of the Silk Road travelers - allowing one section to flow into another. This allowed a ‘passing through' - the depiction of one continuous journey.

Working with Ayesha and getting to know her research was a very enriching experience. Discussions and feedback from The Pind Collective, as well as the other collaborators (Waleed, Sibghat and Ayeshah) was instrumental in honing the final version of the zine."

30/06/2022

As we buckle up for the second and final zine from this edition of we’re excited to share a special peak into .pahul’s creative process.

“The process and design for this zine were informed by a very pluralistic archive of images provided by . These images encompass representations of Hariti across geographies and cultures. It was important to depict Hariti, not only as a demoness who went on to become a benevolent Goddess but also as one who constituted a space where several faiths and cultures were brought together.”

Watch this space for more

06/06/2022

While tales of the Koh-i-Noor have been widely documented, its origins have always been hazy.
In 1518, the kingdom of Golconda built its formidable fortress, Qila Muhammad Nagar (now called Golconda Fort). Golconda was home to 23 of India's 38 diamond mines, garnering it the moniker "Diamond Capital." The diamonds mined here were the purest, clearest, and most valuable. Today, none of the original diamonds discovered in Golconda exist in the vicinity.

It is usually assumed that the Koh-i-Noor was initially discovered by the Rajas of Malwa and was then acquired by Alauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi in 1304. This notion is frequently reinforced by a reference in Babur's autobiography, Baburnama, to a stone weighing 787 and a half carats.

However, it is certain that Koh-i-Noor was mined in Golconda. The travelogues of Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a traveller, jeweller, and merchant from France, support this account. In the 17th century, Tavernier travelled to Asia six times over the span of forty years and published a number of travelogues. In his Travels in India, he records the presentation to Aurangzeb of a magnificent uncut diamond measuring 900 carats discovered in the Kollur mine. His records include drawings of the original shape of this priceless stone before it was cut.

While Persia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan all have legitimate claims to the jewel, the Koh-i-Noor was undoubtedly discovered in South India — in the Kollur mines of Golconda in what is now Telangana state. It was owned at various periods by Nadir Shah, Ahmed Shah Durrani of Afghanistan, and, of course, Ranjit Singh of Lahore, presently in Pakistan. Most people forget, however, that the diamond was first owned by the Qutb Shah of Golconda.
In attending to the origins of this famous gem, we aim to emphasise the rich history of the Deccan. For centuries, the Deccan has been geographically, linguistically, and culturally distinct from the rest of the Indian subcontinent. As we attempt to understand the ownership of cultural objects in national terms, the secret history of the Koh-i-noor helps us challenge the foundations of our claims.

06/06/2022

While tales of the Koh-i-Noor have been widely documented, its origins have always been hazy.
In 1518, the kingdom of Golconda built its formidable fortress, Qila Muhammad Nagar (now called Golconda Fort). Golconda was home to 23 of India's 38 diamond mines, garnering it the moniker "Diamond Capital." The diamonds mined here were the purest, clearest, and most valuable. Today, none of the original diamonds discovered in Golconda exist in the vicinity.

It is usually assumed that the Koh-i-Noor was initially discovered by the Rajas of Malwa and was then acquired by Alauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi in 1304. This notion is frequently reinforced by a reference in Babur's autobiography, Baburnama, to a stone weighing 787 and a half carats.

However, it is certain that Koh-i-Noor was mined in Golconda. The travelogues of Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a traveller, jeweller, and merchant from France, support this account. In the 17th century, Tavernier travelled to Asia six times over the span of forty years and published a number of travelogues. In his Travels in India, he records the presentation to Aurangzeb of a magnificent uncut diamond measuring 900 carats discovered in the Kollur mine. His records include drawings of the original shape of this priceless stone before it was cut.

While Persia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan all have legitimate claims to the jewel, the Koh-i-Noor was undoubtedly discovered in South India — in the Kollur mines of Golconda in what is now Telangana state. It was owned at various periods by Nadir Shah, Ahmed Shah Durrani of Afghanistan, and, of course, Ranjit Singh of Lahore, presently in Pakistan. Most people forget, however, that the diamond was first owned by the Qutb Shah of Golconda.
In attending to the origins of this famous gem, we aim to emphasise the rich history of the Deccan. For centuries, the Deccan has been geographically, linguistically, and culturally distinct from the rest of the Indian subcontinent. As we attempt to understand the ownership of cultural objects in national terms, the secret history of the Koh-i-noor helps us challenge the foundations of our claims.

26/05/2022

As we prepare to release .zafar and ’s zine, here’s a glimpse of what’s coming your way!

Speaking about his process, Waleed says: “The multifaceted history of the Koh-i-noor is central to the design process of this publication. The archival visual material used in this publication and its transnational context has guided the ideation process and design of this zine.”

Stay tuned for more!

14/05/2022

Of the many contested precious objects in the world, few come close to the infamy of the Koh-i-Noor diamond. In the present day, the ownership of the stone is disputed by several nations - the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran all laying claim to the Koh-i-Noor. But where did the stone come from and to whom did it first belong?

As the makes headway, here’s a look at what and .zafar are working on. More updates to follow!

09/05/2022

Kariteimo or Kishimojin is a Japanese fertility goddess, thought to guarantee safe childbirth and familial joy. Enshrined to this day in temples in Tokyo and Ichikawa city, Kariteimo is often depicted with a pomegranate in one hand and a child in the other.

But while she is now viewed as a benign goddess, Kariteimo’s journey to Japan begins in an unlikely place – Rajgir in modern day Bihar, India.

As they explore the lesser known facets of the subcontinent’s material heritage for the project, here’s a sneak peek of what Hop and Pahul are working on. Stay tuned for more!

02/04/2022

We’re thrilled to announce our next participating artist for the .pahul ✨ Pahul Singh is an artistic practitioner from Jaipur, Rajasthan. She holds a BFA from Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan, and an MVA from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda. She was awarded the Narendra Gajanan Bhatt Gold Medal and the Late Milind Madhukar Bhade Gold Medal for Painting. In her practice, Pahul takes recourse to bookmaking, exploring the idea of the book as media. She is also interested in the contemporary use and modification of languages, the tension between the oral and textual, and the practice of self-naming.

21/03/2022

Next up, we’ve got from Lahore!

Waleed Zafar was born (1995) and raised in Lahore, Pakistan. Zafar finished his MA in Art and Design in 2022 from Beaconhouse National University Lahore.

Zafar’s concerns as a research based visual artist revolves around colonial history, ethnography and racial politics from a South-Asian context. Zafar has exhibited at multiple venues including the Islamabad Art Fair 2019, Indian Art Fair 2020 and multiple galleries across Pakistan. Currently Waleed Zafar is a Lecturer at BNU, his alma mater and is currently researching colonial racial politics in South-Asia from an Art Historical context.

We’re so excited to welcome Waleed to the family and collaborate with him over the coming weeks!

18/03/2022

Today, we’re excited to introduce the first of four collaborators we’re partnering with for the next edition of Secret Histories - the incredible storytellers at

Sibghat Khan is an architectural and visual designer, and the founder of The Deccan Archive. He founded the blog in November 2018 in order to put together a digital archive of the Deccan accessible to researchers and scholars. The Deccan Archive is run by Sibghat and his friends. They also conduct heritage walks with Deccan Archive in Hyderabad city every weekend where people come to learn about their city’s rich history. In 2021, Sibghat had co-authored an illustrated book on Hyderabad’s built heritage. So far, Deccan Archive has collected 100+ old books, several maps, 700+ rare photographs and other media from private archives.

Ayeshah Mohammed, born in the United States and raised in Saudi Arabia, is an artist and architectural designer based in Hyderabad, India. Ayeshah has been working with The Deccan Archive since the past two years as an illustrator and writer. She takes keen interest in historical fiction and old mansions and is currently working with digitising rare books from private collections.

We’re so excited to welcome them to the Pind family. Watch this space for more!

18/03/2022

Today, we’re excited to introduce the first of four collaborators we’re partnering with for the next edition of Secret Histories - the incredible storytellers at

Sibghat Khan is an architectural and visual designer, and the founder of The Deccan Archive. He founded the blog in November 2018 in order to put together a digital archive of the Deccan accessible to researchers and scholars. The Deccan Archive is run by Sibghat and his friends. They also conduct heritage walks with Deccan Archive in Hyderabad city every weekend where people come to learn about their city’s rich history. In 2021, Sibghat had co-authored an illustrated book on Hyderabad’s built heritage. So far, Deccan Archive has collected 100+ old books, several maps, 700+ rare photographs and other media from private archives.

Ayeshah Mohammed, born in the United States and raised in Saudi Arabia, is an artist and architectural designer based in Hyderabad, India. Ayeshah has been working with The Deccan Archive since the past two years as an illustrator and writer. She takes keen interest in historical fiction and old mansions and is currently working with digitising rare books from private collections.

We’re so excited to welcome them to the Pind family. Watch this space for more!

The Pind Collective

15/08/2022

05/08/2022

30/06/2022

06/06/2022

06/06/2022

26/05/2022

14/05/2022

09/05/2022

02/04/2022

21/03/2022

18/03/2022

18/03/2022

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Category