Devi Seetharam and Ananth Ramaswamy to Recreate 19th-Century Cochin Ceiling Panels for V&A's South Asia Gallery

The V&A has appointed artist Devi Seetharam and architect-designer Ananth Ramaswamy to design 25 new panels for a 19th-century carved teak ceiling from Cochin (Kochi), Kerala, set to be showcased in the museum's upcoming South Asia Gallery, which will debut in 2028. This original coffered ceiling, measuring 6 by 1.7 meters, features 45 panels that illustrate Hindu deities, with over half currently missing. The new panels will draw inspiration from the lotus flower, a prevalent theme in Kerala's temple art. Seetharam, originally from Kerala and now residing in Bangalore, previously exhibited her work "Brothers, Fathers and Uncles" at the 5th Kochi-Muziris Biennale (2022–23), and her pieces are included in the V&A collection. Ramaswamy, who studied at the Architectural Association in London, heads the practice Arall and collaborates with his family's furniture business in Bangalore; he has been recognized as a Rising Star by House & Garden. The National Lottery Heritage Fund is partially financing this project.