Exhibition at Shanti Krishna Museum of Money and History at the Indian Numismatic, Historical and Cultural Research Foundation (INHCRF), Nashik

Curatorial Note

The city of Nashik has undergone multiple changes during various historical periods, and this exhibition closely looked at the imprints of the nineteenth and first half of the twentieth centuries by looking at the architectural footprints of colonial Nashik, or rather Nasik. The city and its surrounding regions came under the British administration in the year 1818 and continued till the country’s independence in 1947. During this long period, the region saw considerable changes, and this exhibition documented six colonial infrastructures symbolising this period. We closely examined public buildings chronologically to discuss materiality and making, aesthetics, and contextual adaptations. The city became a part of the larger geographical network, and ideas of making and aesthetics travelled to the city. Building techniques such as Jack Arches were incorporated, and early cement concrete slabs can be seen in these buildings. Stylistic influences span a great range, from Indo-Saracenic to Art Deco. Apart from these influences, the fabric of the city also underwent a major change. Infrastructure projects such as the Victoria Bridge, now the Ahilyabai Holkar Bridge, connected the existing settlements across the River Godavari and significantly impacted the city’s urban growth. Nashik’s colonial layer of transformations has played a pivotal role in shaping the contemporary developments of the city. This exhibition allowed us to reflect upon some of these additions and changes to the city.

“Tracing Nashik’s Colonial Footprints” exhibition was organised by MET SOA & ID and INTACH Nashik Chapter. It travelled to four venues in 2023 and 2024, namely, Kusumagraj Smarak, Shanti Krishna Museum of Money and History at the Indian Numismatic, Historical and Cultural Research Foundation (INHCRF), Saint Andrew’s Church, and the Mistura Art Festival. The exhibition was curated by Yakin Kinger and displayed the work of 4th year architecture students, Soha Hudlikar, Vishala Gaikwad, Archana Gahivade, Nahush Mahale, Prasad Mahale, Rajeshwari Rathi, Mihika Pawar, Sejal Ranka, Siddisha Gangurde, Atharva Jathe, & Moin Sayyed.

Exhibition at Kusumagraj Smarak, Nashik