Jodhpur, October 3:The third day of Jodhpur Arts Week (Edition 1.0) unfolded as a vibrant celebration of art, ecology, and cultural heritage, with workshops, walkthroughs, and panel discussions held across the city's historic and contemporary sites.
At Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, a participatory and immersive experience titled "Rao Jodha as a Living Archive" was conducted by Paati × Land Teaching Fellows. This journey traced the geological and cultural history of the Marwar region—from its volcanic origins and the dinosaur era to its present-day ecological and social fabric. Through clue-based trails, sensory experiences, and learner-led storytelling, the park was presented as a living archive of geology, ecology, folklore, and memory.
The morning began at Shri Sumer School, Walled City, with a textile reuse workshop titled “Katran Daghha: Stitching Workshop” led by artist Richa Arya, where participants learned to repurpose fabric scraps into bags and other objects, drawing inspiration from the creativity of local Jodhpuri women. Following this, artist Saruha Kilaru introduced participants to the intricate art of drypoint printmaking, offering a hands-on experience in the traditional intaglio technique.
Simultaneously, the "Paati Residency Jodhpur Walkthrough" guided attendees through the House of Premchand, a fourth-generation Marwari haveli now reimagined as a hub for contemporary art practices.
A compelling panel discussion titled "Pastoral Heritage Today: From Rajasthan to Somalia" featured Dhaakan Collective and camel pastoralism expert Dr. Ilse Köhler-Rollefson, who highlighted the camel as a keystone species and symbol of living heritage. The conversation linked ecological knowledge, women’s labor, oral traditions, and contemporary art practices, envisioning resilient futures in the face of climate change.
In the afternoon, events shifted to Khas Bagh, where curator Sakshi Mahajan led a walkthrough of artist Avadhesh Tamrakar’s toran-inspired installation. Created in collaboration with artisan Than Chand Mehra and supported by Shrine Empire, the artwork reimagined the traditional toran—a symbol of welcome and protection—as a layered cultural memory and contemporary form.
The day concluded at Khas Bagh with a panel discussion titled “Exploring Jodhpur’s Architectural Legacy”, held in collaboration with the RMZ Foundation. Artists Ayesha Singh, Chila Kumari Singh Burman, Richa Arya, and Saruha Kilaru participated, with Kamna Anand (Senior Curator, RMZ Foundation) sharing curatorial perspectives. The discussion was chaired by Jodhpur-based architectural historian Mimansha Charan, focusing particularly on the Maila Bagh Jhalra, and highlighting women’s contributions and the forgotten histories of Jodhpur’s intricate water structures.