New Delhi — Think folk tales are just bedtime stories meant for your nanaji’s evenings in Lajpat Nagar? Not anymore. Ojas Art in Mehrauli just pulled off something that feels like a cultural mic drop: a global storytelling showcase that spans continents and centuries—right here, a stone’s throw from the Qutub. Welcome to “Masnavi: Lores Across Lands,” and trust us, it’s not your average gallery jaunt.
From Persian Rhymes to Tribal Drums—All in One Room
Curated by Ojas Art, “Masnavi: Lores Across Lands” peels back the curtain on how storytelling captures the soul of a region. The name nods to traditional Persian poetry—masnavi as in narrative verse—but the show doesn’t stop at the western deserts of Iran. You’ll find yourself bouncing from African myths to Japanese folklore to Punjabi legends, all woven into contemporary media like mixed textiles, digital installations, and kinetic sculptures. It’s less “look and leave” and more “get lost for an hour.”
The show isn’t just an aesthetic detour. It’s structured like a slow-burn novel. Each artist was handpicked not just for their talent but for their ability to interpret local lore as living emotion. The gallery has even set up interactive stations where you can listen to oral recordings, trace myths through time, and send a digital postcard based on your favourite folk story. Honestly, it feels more immersive than a Netflix binge.
The showcase runs till the end of June, and with no entry fee, it’s a cultural wealth experience that costs less than Maggi at Priya Market.
Why Every Dilliwallah Should Care—Yes, Even You in Sector 15
Here’s the thing: we live in a city that moves so fast we barely remember the stories we were raised on. Masnavi at Ojas is a gentle punch in the gut, reminding us that folklore isn’t just literature—it’s identity, resistance, and sometimes even therapy. For the IIT aspirant in Hauz Khas, this is a hack into anthropology without needing a degree. For the ad exec commuting from Golf Course Road? This is serious aesthetic detox after hours of doomscrolling and pitch meetings.
In a city obsessed with tomorrow—and plagued by yesterday’s infrastructure—Masnavi gives us a rare middle ground. You’re not just looking at art; you’re listening to your own reflection. And if nothing else, it’s a great first date idea that sounds intellectual and costs zilch.
From Chaupals to Capsules—How Delhi Lost and Found Its Stories
Storytelling isn’t new to Delhi. From Ramleelas in Ramlila Maidan to qissas in Old Delhi’s havelis, we’ve always had a thing for narrative drama that brings the gullies alive. But over time—some say post-Liberalisation, others blame TikTok—we started outsourcing our imagination.
Ojas Art, for years, has tried to reverse that—hosting artists like Sanjay Bhattacharya and supporting tribal arts from Bhil and Gond communities. This recent Masnavi series is a bold expansion. It’s not just about India anymore—it’s about putting Indian imaginations in global conversations. And that’s a curveball we didn’t see coming but desperately need.
📍 Spot Check: Ojas Art Gallery is located inside Qutub Complex, right next to Anokhi Café and a short auto ride from Saket Metro Station (Magenta Line or Yellow Line). Look for the massive neem tree—you can’t miss it. While you’re there, grab momos at Nagaland’s Kitchen or sneak in a sunset walk to Jamali Kamali ruins.
The Final Word
If you’re tired of reels, retakes, and real estate ads disguised as content, “Masnavi: Lores Across Lands” is your cultural palate cleanser. It’s sincere without being preachy, and rich without burning a hole in your FabIndia kurta pocket. Should you care? Absolutely. Is it worth dragging your Sector 23 date to MKR for chutney pork and then impressing them with “intellectual taste”? Yes and yes.
So tell us—What’s the folk story that stayed with you from childhood?
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