Triveni Kala Sangam, currently celebrating its 75th anniversary, has transformed into a vibrant node of the India Art Fair ecosystem as the Young Collectors’ Programme (YCP) returns this year with its 2026 edition. Avimukta: The Never Forsaken, a monumental site-responsive installation is presented by Tilfi, the Banaras-based atelier renowned for its handwoven silks and metal craft traditions. The work remains on view from 31 January to 8 February 2026.
As the Programming Partner for the Young Collectors’ Programme, Tilfi extends its enduring philosophy of continuity and craft stewardship into the realm of contemporary art. The collaboration underscores YCP’s focus on nurturing new audiences and building long-term relationships between modern practitioners and traditional knowledge systems.
Anchoring the exhibition space is a towering sculptural pillar sheathed in patchworked fragments of silk and zari — remnants salvaged from the margins of weaving. In Avimukta, these fragments move from overlooked byproducts to objects of reverence, transforming discarded material into a surface rich with tactile memory. Each piece carries the subtle traces of the artisans’ hands, evoking Banaras’ long lineage of textile mastery.
In dialogue with the textile structure is Contours of Kashi, a repoussé brass panel shaped through hand-hammering. Its fluid relief traces the iconic skyline and spiritual topography of Varanasi, shimmering with the imperfect regularity that defines handcraft. Together, the textile and metal elements articulate a shared language of endurance and transformation — a meditation on how heritage remains both tangible and alive.
Speaking about the partnership, Tilfi Co-Founder Aditi Chand observed that collaborating with YCP “allows us to extend this philosophy into the contemporary art ecosystem, where new patrons and practices are being shaped.”
Through Avimukta, Tilfi reaffirms its commitment to material responsibility and artisan-led processes, situating craft not as nostalgia but as living continuum — an inheritance that insists on presence, purpose, and mindful making.
The presentation is part of the Young Collectors’ Programme’s 2026 edition, which brings together exhibitions, workshops, and learning exchanges across the week, drawing in new collectors and cultural patrons eager to engage with India’s evolving art landscape.
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