KHADI : a CANVAS, the free exhibition on Indian art and craftsmanship

Published by Communiqué Sponsorisé · Updated on October 14, 2026 at 03:42 p.m.
KHADI : a CANVAS is an exhibition that probes the ongoing dialogue between khadi, art, and India's cultural heritage, weaving in the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Raja Ravi Varma. Don’t miss it—it's right in the heart of Paris, in the 7th arrondissement. Best of all, admission is free.

The Art of Indian Textiles

After touring across India, Khadi: A Canvas is now on display in Paris, at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (7th arrondissement), where it will be shown weekly Tuesday to Saturday (opening hours from 11:00 to 17:00), from October 20, 2026 to January 31, 2027. This Paris edition gives international audiences the chance to explore India’s artistic and textile traditions, while also strengthening cultural exchanges between India and France.

Khadi : A Canvas is an exhibition that delves into the connections between two pivotal figures in modern India’s history: Mahatma Gandhi, for whom khadi — a hand-spun, hand-woven cotton fabric — became a tool for economic and political self-reliance, and Raja Ravi Varma, whose lithographs helped spread pictorial art across the Indian subcontinent.

Bringing together 35 pieces, including handwoven textiles, natural dyes, spinning and weaving tools, and contemporary installations, the exhibition celebrates the meeting of art, craft and Indian cultural identity. It charts the transformation of printed images into textile creations through traditional artisanal know‑how.

An artistic journey from India to Paris, weaving together textile traditions and contemporary creation

Designed by Lavina Baldota and Gaurang Shah, the exhibition premiered in Bengaluru in 2018, before touring several of India's prestigious cultural institutions, including Mumbai's National Gallery of Modern Art, the Kasturbhai Lalbhai Museum in Ahmedabad, and TRI Art & Culture in Kolkata.

The exhibition also brings together prominent figures from the art world, including poet Navkirat Sodhi, textile and embroidery specialists Karishma Swali, Ashdeen Lilowala and Jean-François Lesage, as well as a host of other artists and creators. Their contributions highlight the richness of Indian textile heritage and its ongoing dialogue with contemporary art and international haute couture.

Practical information

Dates and Opening Time
From October 20, 2026 to January 31, 2027

× Approximate opening times: to confirm opening times, please contact the establishment.

    Location

    3 Avenue de Lowendal
    75007 Paris 7

    Route planner

    Prices
    Free

    More information
    Exhibition open to the public.
    Tuesday to Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    Free admission.

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