.
Design Course
Artifact, Temporal and Spatial Mapping Visualization
Objects, activity and space relationships
by
Indigo
Swarangi Bhave, Madhura Kulkarni, Khushi Agrawal, and Saloni Rajput chose Indigo as the focus of their visual storytelling project, exploring its rich and layered history. Often called “blue gold,” indigo is far more than a dye, it symbolizes culture, trade, and transformation. Its origins date back to the Indus Valley Civilization around 2500 BCE, where blue-dyed cotton fragments highlight the early mastery of Indigofera tinctoria.
Celebrated for its rare and vivid hue, indigo became a prized luxury in ancient Persia, Greece, and Rome, eventually adorning elite textiles across the world. As trade routes expanded, so did its influence, carrying the deep blue of Indian vats to European aristocracy. Yet, indigo’s story is also marked by colonial exploitation and the Indigo Revolt in Bengal. From ancient traditions and artisanal practices to synthetic innovations and sustainable revivals, indigo’s journey is a vibrant tapestry of artistry, resistance, and resilience.
Case Study Download:
• Indigo by Swarangi Bhave, Madhura Kulkarni, Khushi Agrawal and
Saloni Rajput......
