The restoration of a 19th-century Kochi temple ceiling, hidden away in storage for nearly 70 years, is a fascinating project that showcases the power of art, architecture, and craftsmanship. The intricate wooden ceiling, acquired by the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1883, has nearly half its panels missing. The museum invited artists and designers to recreate the missing panels, and the commission was awarded to Bengaluru-based artist Devi Seetharam and architect-interior designer Ananth Ramaswamy. The duo aims to "respectfully contemporise" the ceiling while preserving its artistic and historical character.
Ananth emphasizes the sensitivity of the intervention, stating that everything they create must be sympathetic to the existing ceiling and respond carefully to the artefact. Instead of producing replicas, the duo hopes to celebrate the original craftsmanship while making the new work visibly contemporary. For Devi, seeing the teak ceiling in person transformed her understanding of the project, revealing vibrant natural pigments hidden beneath decades of dust.
The ceiling features a grid of square panels framed by richly carved beams with elephant corbel heads and lotus medallions. The surviving panels depict figures including Shiva, Brahma, Hanuman, and Garuda. Working with Indian craftspeople, Devi focuses on the artistic detailing, while Ananth brings expertise in architecture, design strategy, and woodcraft. The replacement panels will be carved in India in collaboration with local artisans before being shipped to London.
The biggest challenge for Devi is matching the extraordinary craftsmanship of the original. She notes that the carvings appear like simple reliefs in photographs but are deeply sculptural in reality, with each panel carved from a single block of wood. The ceiling will feature in the V&A's redesigned South Asia Gallery, which will also showcase several objects that have remained in storage for decades. The history of the ceiling's acquisition and its complex travels between countries remain central to the artists' approach, encouraging conversations within the diaspora.
This project highlights the importance of preserving historical artefacts while adapting them to modern contexts. It also underscores the value of collaboration between artists, architects, and craftspeople in creating meaningful and impactful works of art. The restoration of the Kochi temple ceiling is a testament to the power of cultural exchange and the enduring beauty of traditional craftsmanship.
