Nandini Rawal
Research Interest
Education
MA: South Asian Studies, Columbia University, 2020
B.Tech (Hons.): Cept University, Ahmedabad, India, 2016
Biography
Nandini Rawal is an MA student in the Department of Religion at Columbia University. Her research explores the intersection of religion, arts, and crafts, with a particular focus on Krishna worship traditions. Her current study investigates and documents the religious paraphernalia and arts and crafts associated with Krishna worship traditions like the Pushtimarg, aiming to illuminate how devotion shapes various artistic practices.
Prior to her current studies, Nandini earned a Master's in South Asian Studies from Columbia University, where she examined various aspects of Indian culture. She also runs a start-up based in India, that is dedicated to preserving the country's rich cultural heritage through handcrafted conversation pieces of functional furniture made by collaborating with different local artisans. This endeavour has deepened her engagement with artisan communities, fostering a commitment to empower these skilled artisans while ensuring their craft traditions thrive in an increasingly automated world.
She is pursuing her MA with the intent of exploring the profound connections between traditional arts and religion, since many of India's traditional arts and crafts have a basis in religious devotion. She is particularly intrigued by what motivates and inspires artisans to continue their craft despite numerous challenges. This focus on the nuanced relationships between faith, creativity, and cultural resilience is central to her research. She believes that understanding these intersections is also crucial for documenting and preserving the narratives behind India's diverse craft practices.
Through her study, research and work, she intends to contribute novel insights about these traditional religious arts and aims to create a cultural consciousness that values heritage, fosters compassion and understanding within society.