Toward the end of 2019, we launched an initiative to support both education and craft, with a line of limited edition marble plates created by inlay artisans in Agra. Christened The Gyaan Project, the funds we raised from their sale and auction went toward the construction of the CITTA Foundation's Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School in Jaisalmer.
We approached twelve renowned creative talents to participate in this charitable endeavour with us and support fundraising efforts. The idea was to sustain craft and push the boundaries of marble inlay, translating designs by these individuals from the fields of art, fashion and architecture. As inlay artisanry is both graphic and challenging, the selection process involved inviting those whose names not only command attention -- particularly given the agenda to raise money for charity -- but whose skills in terms of graphics and/or print are par excellence. From the fashion world, couturiers Christian Louboutin, Olympia Le-Tan, Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Sabyasachi, Anamika Khanna and Manish Arora contributed; architects B V Doshi, Bijoy Jain and interior designer Sussanne Khan were brought on board; and artists Atul Dodiya, Tanya Goel and T. Venkanna also extended their efforts.
The design plates were either 18" in diameter or cut in an 18"x18" square and each designer was requested to create a print accordingly. These were translated into marble inlay pieces in Agra, providing over a year's worth of employment to an artisan family. Each design was issued in a limited edition of ten plates; while nine were sold, the tenth was reserved for auction, which took place on December 21, 2019. Hosted by Sonam Kapoor Ahuja and Isha Ambani Piramal, the proceeds benefited the construction of the school in Jaisalmer.
The CITTA Foundation established its Jaisalmer Gyaan Center for women on 22 bighas of land near the village of Kanoi in Rajasthan; it includes not only the school, but a women's cooperative and market and exhibition space as well. The state's female literacy rate ranks lowest in India; in rural areas like Jaisalmer, it is an abysmal 32 percent. Additionally, there are also the pressing issues of child marriage and female infanticide to grapple with, resulting in a skewed sex ratio favouring men. It is hoped that the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School, which will be offering underprivileged girls the chance to an education, will serve to bring change to the region. Running a state-based curriculum, the facilities will include classrooms, a library, a computer centre and a bus facility. In addition to literacy, the school will also be helping the children hone traditional crafts unique to the region, and providing a mid-day meal to them so as to ensure nutrition and ease their families' financial burden.
