Time Stands Still at Chandigarh's National Crafts Mela
Visitors to the 15th National Crafts Mela at Kalagram in Chandigarh experienced a remarkable journey through time as artist Vinay Sharma's installation captivated both young and old alike. The unique exhibition created a pocket of temporal travel that intrigued generations across the spectrum.
The Artist and His Vintage Passion
Jaipur-based artist Vinay Sharma, invited by the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi, revealed how his fascination with bygone eras began during his school days. "Back in the 1970s when I was in Class X, I developed a deep love for radios," Sharma recalled. "To me, it wasn't just a device—it was a sculpture with its own rhythm."
His passion materialized in 1977 when he received his first Murphy radio from his aunt. Today, Sharma's personal archive boasts an impressive collection of approximately 300 radio sets dating from 1935 to 1975, each telling its own story of technological evolution.
Rescued Treasures and Historical Artifacts
The installation features more than just radios. Sharma has meticulously collected vintage telephones and cameras, many rescued from junk dealers who saw mere discarded items where the artist recognized historical art. Among the standout pieces were cameras from renowned brands like Laser, Kodak, and Pentax.
One particularly rare exhibit was a box pinhole camera from 1890-1915 that Sharma discovered with a junk dealer in Jaipur. "For him it was just wood, for me, it was art," the artist shared, highlighting the different perspectives people have toward historical objects.
The telephone section featured black spiral wires that once reminded visitors of Shakespeare's descriptions of his lover's locks, now evoking memories of conversations from eras past.
Paperman: The Artistic Alter Ego
One of the most striking elements was a mannequin dressed as what Sharma calls his artistic alter ego—the Paperman. The costume, crafted from canvas and layered with old handwritten account sheets, has earned him the nickname throughout artistic circles.
The figure wears headphones, representing what Sharma describes as "the constant pull between the past and changing times." As a trained painter and printmaker, Sharma blends his artwork with installations to provoke curiosity and reflection among viewers.
"My art becomes a part of me," Sharma explained. "Today, people have forgotten how to hold a pen. Our rhythm with life and memory has been disturbed. This costume reminds us to write, to pause."
Rare Historical Artifacts
Among the exhibition's rarest items was a cordless telephone used by Polish soldiers during Hitler's regime, weighing nearly five kilograms. Another remarkable piece was a full-plate camera with glass negatives, alongside what Sharma claims is one of the smallest projectors ever made—measuring just 6mm and operated manually by rotating a handle to control speed.
Reflecting on how communication has evolved, Sharma noted: "There is a huge difference between photography then and now. Earlier, a single photograph demanded patience, light, frame, timing—everything mattered. Films had value and every click was thoughtful."
He extended this observation to telephone conversations: "Even a telephone call had value. People thought before speaking. That discipline is lost in today's rapid communication."
Eyes, Ears, and Mouth: The Three Symbols
For Sharma, the installation carries a deeper message about human perception and communication. "In everything here, there are three symbols: eyes, ears, and mouth," he revealed. "Cameras represent the power of sight, telephones embody thoughtful speech and listening."
As crowds continued to flow into the exhibition—some fascinated by the historical technology, others nostalgic for memories these objects triggered—Sharma's central message remained clear: "Without knowing and seeing the past, we can't understand the future. We shouldn't abandon the past, we must carry it with us."
The installation at the 15th National Crafts Mela successfully created a bridge between generations, allowing the young to connect with history while enabling the elderly to relive their cherished memories through the artifacts that once defined daily life.
