Chandigarh is set for a vibrant cultural weekend with the launch of a notable new book and the opening of a significant art exhibition. Author and academic Ananya Vajpeyi will release her latest literary work, while a curated group art show will debut in the Tricity.
Ananya Vajpeyi's 'Place' Explores 13 Cities
Ananya Vajpeyi's new book, titled 'Place: Intimate Encounters with Cities', will be officially launched in Chandigarh on Saturday, December 6. The event is organized by the 'Thinkers Collective', an initiative of the Institute for Development and Communication (IDC) and Chandigarh University (CU). It will take place at the IDC campus at 4:30 PM.
The book is a collection of pieces tracing Vajpeyi's emotional and intellectual journeys through 13 cities across India and the world. She describes these writings as journeys in the mind as much as in the physical city, engaging with each location as a multi-layered space. "These are journeys in the mind as much as they are in the city, that is the thread that binds together these separate unconnected pieces of writing," Vajpeyi explains.
For the compilation, Vajpeyi revisited a wealth of personal materials, including diaries, journals, unpublished pieces, photographs, letters, and mementos from her travels. She admits that her perception of these places transformed with repeated visits and greater familiarity. The author, who has taught at the University of Massachusetts and Columbia University and is currently a visiting professor at Ashoka University, believes her academic life enriches her literary work and vice versa.
Dr. Pramod Kumar, Chairperson of IDC, states that inviting authors like Vajpeyi aims to encourage conversations that extend beyond a single work or subject.
'Blueprint' Art Exhibition Marks Gallery Anniversary
Parallel to the literary event, the Tricity's art scene will witness the debut of a thoughtfully curated group show. Titled 'Blueprint', the exhibition will open at Mehak Bhan's 105arts gallery in Sector 11 on December 6. It will run until January 5, 2026, from 12 PM to 6 PM daily, marking the gallery's fifth anniversary.
The show, conceptualized and curated by acclaimed visual artist Avijit Dutta, will feature 44 works from both legendary and promising young artists. Dutta ponders the purpose of visiting a gallery, stating it is not solely for buying art but for reflection and mindful engagement with the artwork and the ideas it evokes.
Dutta sees galleries as stepping stones for artists and finds Chandigarh, with its thoughtful design, a perfect fit for an exhibition named 'Blueprint'. "This is the city that established the blueprint of a new, free India," he observes. The exhibition is built around the concept of the artist's 'first line of thought'—the initial mark from which a painting begins.
In preparation for the show, Dutta has been interacting with local art students and has hinted at the potential for a student biennale in the Tricity in the future.
A Weekend of Cultural Reflection
This dual offering positions Chandigarh as a hub for cultural introspection this weekend. From Vajpeyi's literary exploration of urban landscapes and memory to Dutta's artistic examination of creative origins, both events invite the public to engage deeply with ideas of space, design, and personal journey. Residents and visitors have the opportunity to experience a rich dialogue between literature and visual art, reflecting on how both internal and external landscapes shape our understanding of place and identity.
