While Indian athletes were competing in the Olympic Village in Paris on August 9, the 7th Arrondissement Town Hall hosted a special event celebrating Indian achievements in the Olympics, organized by the JSW Group. This event honored India’s Olympic history, tracing back to 1920 when three Indian athletes traveled on the SS Mantua to participate in the Antwerp Summer Olympics.
Paris-based Indian artist Sujata Bajaj contributed a striking canvas that intertwined the Indian flag with the Olympic rings. She described her work: “There is an explicit play on both flags (France and India) as strong hues of orange, green, blue, white, and red have a prevalent place. The universality of the Olympic message is mirrored within the fill of the circles themselves, where the fluidity of the colours suggests world maps as seen from distant outer space.”
The event also featured three hand-embroidered artworks by artisans from the Chanakya School of Craft, created under the guidance of creative director Karishma Swali.
These pieces, commissioned by Sangita Jindal, chairperson of the JSW Foundation, commemorate significant moments in Indian Olympic history, such as Sakshi Malik’s bronze medal in wrestling at the 2016 Rio Olympics (right) and Neeraj Chopra’s gold medal in javelin at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics (left).
Swali commented on the artworks: “The fluid silhouettes and vibrant colours embody the dynamic energy and disciplined elegance of sports while also reflecting the nuanced, intricate beauty of the craft. This synthesis captures the spirit of movement and the delicate balance of artistry, conveying a deep appreciation for the human form and the stories of resilience it carries.”
The hand-embroidered pieces used a variety of techniques, including couching, bullion knots, running stitch, crochet, and stem stitch, along with hand-knotting and hand-tufting, showcasing a rich blend of traditional and modern artistry.
