The Charpai project was commissioned by the Serendipity Arts Foundation. The project consisted of an installation, an exhibition, workshops and a competition. The project was installed in the 3rd-edition of the festival in 2018, in Goa.
It was widely appreciated and talked about. Subsequent to the exhibition, it was reinstalled in the India Design Exhibition held in Delhi in 2019, and at the YPO summit in Delhi, also in 2019.
The charpai, more commonly known as 'Khatiya', 'Khotlo', 'Khat', 'Maach', or 'Charpais', is an emblematic element of Indian rural civilization. This craft involves the artful diagonal interlacing of the charpai, which requires no tools and is achieved purely through manual dexterity and thoughtful planning. The result is a harmonious blend of mind and body, with the charpai featuring intricate geometric patterns that are visible only to a keen and trained eye.
Unlike traditional weaving, where threads intersect at right angles to the frame, the charpaiʼs weaving involves the rope traveling diagonally from one post to another. This distinctive technique adds to the complexity and beauty of the charpai's structure.
