My project was the outcome of one of my discussions with my guide and my sponsor. As I wanted to study and capture the Indian idiom of design, I chose festivals as my area of study.
As India makes the transition from the natural rhythms of its agrarian society to the more tightly regulated time frame of a modern society, there are newer challenges imposed on our culture which further highlight the dilemma of holding on to our traditions while embracing a new culture. As people slowly drift away from their culture and tradition, soft cultural imports like Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, etc. are gaining popularity.
My project attempted to observe the changing scenario in India with increasing migration to urban cities and its impact on festive celebrations. It also aimed at gathering and thereby, preserving information on our culture before it gets lost forever, keeping in mind the changing lifestyles, needs and limitations of the people.
In a land of plural cultures like India, there are over a hundred festivals to celebrate; there are variations with respect to the names of festivals, legends and styles of celebration. All these factors contributed to the enormity and complexity of the project. Hence, I focused on the southern zone of the country and collaborated with my target audience and subject experts to delve deeper into the topic. I went beyond research to devise a system in order to arrive at a visual language which not only captured the essence and spirit of festivals but could also be taken forward for some design exploration.
A country like India with its vastness and diversity extended several challenges for design. My project was just one of the many ways to bridge the gap by holding on to traditions while embracing the new.
