Vadodara: Marking World Heritage Day, Vadodara-based artist Kakoli Sen unveiled a striking immersive audiovisual installation at Gebanshah Ni Vav in Champaner, transforming the centuries-old stepwell into a living narrator of its own layered past.On Saturday evening, the subterranean structure at Champaner came alive through a blend of sound, light and storytelling, guiding visitors into its depths as if journeying through time.At the heart of the work was a bold artistic gesture—the personification of the vav. Instead of being a silent relic of history, the stepwell was given a voice, recounting its own evolution: from a life-giving water source in a harsh landscape, to a vibrant social and cultural meeting point, and eventually to a monument slowly fading into neglect.Gebanshah Ni Vav is believed to have been built in the 16th century by Gebanshah, a Sufi fakir remembered more for service to the community than for patronage or grandeur. Unlike royal structures meant to display power, this stepwell was conceived as a humble yet vital space—offering water, shade and respite to pilgrims, traders and local residents navigating the arid terrain of Champaner.For Sen, who has spent over a decade engaging with archaeological landscapes, the project grew far beyond its original intent. What began as a mapping exercise gradually evolved into an artistic and cultural intervention aimed at reviving forgotten histories.“This installation serves as a gateway to the past, offering a glimpse into the layered history of Gebanshah ni Vav while reminding us of our responsibility to conserve such heritage,” she said.The installation also brought into focus the many lives the stepwell once held. It was not just a water reservoir, but a bustling social space where communities gathered, travellers paused, and women met daily while drawing water—sharing stories, rituals and moments of everyday life that quietly shaped social bonds.By weaving these narratives together, the artwork highlighted the vav’s role in religious, cultural and social practices, reframing it as a living, breathing heritage space rather than a static monument frozen in time.Organized under the banner of Soul of A Vav, the initiative is part of Sen’s ongoing effort to reimagine and revive neglected stepwells through storytelling, sensory experience and public engagement.
