November 15 , 2025
05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Aditya Birla Auditorium | On-Site
This panel invites exploration into the relationship between folk and tribal traditions and antiquities, illustrating how these forms of art intertwine with historical narratives to not only preserve but also evolve indigenous Indian craftsmanship in modern and contemporary times. By highlighting themes of cultural continuity, adaptation, and resilience amid historical shifts like colonialism, migration, and globalization. The discussion aims to illustrate how these art forms not only reflect India's past but also shape its ongoing cultural identity. Moreover, the conversation will also include pressing issues like the integration of antiquities into contemporary art practices, the dynamics of the international antiquities market, and innovative conservation methods that honor living traditions. By examining these facets, the panel aims to foster a deeper understanding of how ancient artifacts inform current cultural dialogues, encouraging sustainable approaches to heritage management. This session offers a compelling platform for appreciating the multifaceted stories embedded in antiquities, bridging historical depth with forward-looking perspectives. Images Courtesy Dr. Sureshkumar Muthukumaran
Dr. Sureshkumar Muthukumaran is Assistant Professor of World History at the National University of Singapore. His work focuses on long-distance interactions between peoples in ancient Afro-Eurasia with an eye to movements of flora and fauna. His first book, The Tropical Turn: Agricultural Innovation in the Ancient Middle East and the Mediterranean, was the winner of the 2024 Jerry Bentley Prize in World History awarded by the American Historical Association and the 2025 Mary W. Klinger Award offered by the Society for Ethnobotany. He is also the co-author of the British Museum’s Ancient India exhibition book.
Minhazz Majumdar is a curator, writer and designer who has been deeply involved in preserving and promoting Indian folk and tribal cultural traditions. As a curator, Majumdar has worked on ground-breaking shows on India in the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Australia and has built permanent collections of Indian art, especially folk and tribal art for museums across the world including QAGOMA, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge, National Museums, Liverpool and Glasgow Museums. Majumdar has also written extensively on Indian art and culture for publications across the world.
