Sanjhi is an ancient devotional art form from Braj — an intricate style of rangoli created on water and floors using stencils. Practiced and preserved for centuries by temple priests, it holds profound spiritual significance. However, this sacred art is now on the verge of extinction, with only a handful of artists continuing the tradition due to its complexity. At our Online Talk #SacredStencils, Katyayani Agarwal — museum curator and cultural heritage specialist — will delve into the rich history, symbolism, and ritual traditions of Sanjhi, which is also known by the name Vaishnava Yantra. She will also explore the delicate techniques used by temple artists in Vrindavan, and reflect on its cultural importance and the urgent need to preserve this endangered art form.

About the speaker:

Katyayani Agarwal is a museum curator and cultural heritage specialist who works across India on the conservation and revival of traditional arts. With a PG Diploma in Indian Art History from SOAS, University of London, she has led major projects such as the Vipassana Museum in Mumbai and the Shekhawati Museum in Rajasthan. She is currently developing the Maharaja Agrasen Museum and India’s first Paper Museum. Katyayani has been instrumental in reviving the endangered Sanjhi art of Vrindavan and Mathura, and has spent over a decade working with its artists. She also working at reviving Kagazipura, a 700-year-old village engaged in the unbroken tradition handmade paper. A cultural ambassador and advisor to several institutions, she holds leadership roles with IGNCA, INTACH, and Asia Society India.