Hyundai Art For Hope × Dastkar
From Village Walls to Urban Interiors – Madhubani Reimagined | 2025–2026
About the Project
Supported by Hyundai Motor India Foundation's Art for Hope initiative, From Village Walls to Urban Interiors – Madhubani Reimagined explored new possibilities for Madhubani painting beyond its traditional formats.Implemented by Dastkar between October 2025 and March 2026, the project brought together three Mithila artists and design mentorship to translate traditional visual vocabularies into contemporary home furnishings and décor. Rather than altering the identity of the art, the intervention explored how its motifs, compositions and techniques could inhabit everyday spaces through thoughtful design, material exploration and product development.
Crafts & Communities
The project worked with three Madhubani artists, Sujeet Kumar Karn, Sapna Karn and Boby Das, bringing their individual artistic practices into a collaborative design exploration under the guidance of Laila Tyabji. Rooted in the Mithila painting tradition, the intervention explored how familiar motifs and intricate compositions could be reinterpreted through patchwork appliqué, simplified imagery and the considered use of negative space. Alongside painting and surface design, the artists explored framing, mounting, finishing and presentation, expanding their understanding of how traditional artwork could translate into functional products while retaining its cultural and visual identity.
Impact
The project directly engaged three artists through two design and development workshops, resulting in three product collections spanning bedspreads, cushion covers, runners, table mats and a signature wall hanging.
The process extended beyond product creation to include finishing, mounting, labelling, costing and presentation, helping artists understand the practical considerations of developing and presenting a collection for contemporary markets.
The collection was showcased at Travancore Palace, New Delhi, as part of Hyundai Art for Hope 2026, in March, creating a platform for visibility, audience engagement and market exposure. More than a product development exercise, the project demonstrated how traditional art can move into new spaces and contexts without losing its connection to the artists, cultural memory and knowledge that sustain it.