CULTURAL VIEW FINDER

GURDEEP DHALIWAL, 25, AND NAVJEET KAUR, 31, CHANDIGARH

Frame One In January this year, writer-photographer Gurdeep Dhaliwal and designer Navjeet Kaur started The Kirrt Project to document and honour lesser-known artisans, artworks and their stories across the state. A Punjabi word with roots in Sanskrit, Kirrt stands for creation.

With an aim to introduce people to the dying arts and crafts of this region, the team visits small hamlets to meet artisans and understand the process.

The Guerilla Army With just four members entirely dedicated to the cause, Kirrt is a closely-knit unit. “No one is paid a penny for the time and effort they put in. The Punjab Arts Council gives a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000 to our team. Till this point, we have not accepted any private donations,” says Kaur.

Future Perfect The team now plans to travel across Punjab extensively and take on more creative and artistic projects that will engage the local population.

We are not only taking arts to the people but also educating ourselves with the experience that the artisans share with us,” Gurdeep Dhaliwal, Member, Kirrt