Reviving Heritage: Gauda – Invoking Classical Bengal is India’s Best Design Project 2023

The Gauda festival was conceived to present art and design that celebrates the classical heritage of Bengal. Bengal’s rich classical and artistic heritage, particularly from the Pala and Sena periods, has often been overshadowed by the more recent Bengal Renaissance. The profound art and architecture that once influenced regions as far as Tibet and Burma are rarely seen in their place of origin, with many historical remnants lost to time and invasions. Furthermore, the traditional sculptural and artistic techniques that once flourished in Bengal have largely disappeared.

Crafting a New Legacy

Karu, a brand dedicated to reviving these ancient traditions, embarked on a mission to use traditional stone craft techniques to create objects of beauty and utility for contemporary living spaces. The team was trained at stone carving workshops in Odisha, specialising in crafting granite, the preferred material for Pala sculpture. After mastering the classical Bengali style, the artisans began creating sculptures to attract collectors and a line of accessories that merged symbols from classical Pala art with modern utility. This innovative approach positioned Karu as the only studio in the region capable of crafting sculptures in the classical Bengali idiom. The line of affordable, functional accessories resonated with patrons seeking to incorporate a touch of timeless magic into their modern urban homes.

A Symbol of Identity: The Karu Emblem

To represent this unique collection, Karu developed a distinctive identity mark inspired by the Siddha Matrika script, renowned for its lyrical and iconic presence in classical Indian manuscripts. The chosen symbol, the Kirti Mukha, is a fierce, awe-inspiring guardian of thresholds often depicted in Indian sculpture, with some of its best representations found in Pala art. The emblem cleverly uses two rampant lions straddling submissive elephants, an imperial symbol of Eastern India, to form the Kirti Mukha’s face. This symbol, combined with the word mark, perfectly embodies the glory and vibrancy of ancient Bengal.

Reinterpreting Tradition: Modern Functionality

Karu designed a collection of accessories inspired by the art and architecture of the Pala and Sena eras, crafting stone and wooden artifacts that capture timeless classical forms. Each item in the collection is meticulously finished, aiming to evoke a beautiful story and present each symbol in its correct context, connecting it to a modern purpose.

Credit: Karu Design and Marketing Pvt. Ltd.