Lavanya Mani (b. 1977) is a Baroda based artist who harnesses traditional domestic craft techniques to explore the histories of power dynamics and trade that affect current social dynamics in India. While studying painting at the M.S.U. Baroda, Mani began researching craft and textile techniques from around the country and specifically became fascinated with the kalamkari technique. This historically
important fabric is painstaking to make and takes seven steps – from treating and fattening cotton with natural buffalo milk to dying it with natural herbs and minerals to weaving it into the fabric, to finally drawing on the fabric by hand or by block printing. Mani did not come from a family of weavers, so obtaining access to the craft technique took commitment and dedication, which she has applied to her own contemporary renditions of kalamkari in her artwork. She is currently represented by Chemould Prescott Road, Mumbai since her first solo show in 2009. The artist lives and works in Bangalore.