SARITA HANDA ARCHIVE
Private Cultural Repository
Preserving Our Textile Legacy
The Sarita Handa Archive is a private cultural repository dedicated to preserving India's rich textile heritage. Founded by Sarita Handa and Captain Rahul Puri, it houses an archival collection of historic textiles, paintings, photographs and objects. Through research, documentation and conservation, the Archive safeguards traditional craft knowledge while serving as a valuable resource for scholars, designers, artisans and cultural practitioners ensuring India's diverse textile legacy continues to inspire future generations.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The Sarita Handa Archive celebrates India's rich textile heritage through exhibitions that preserve and showcase the artistry, craftsmanship, and stories woven into its cultural history. It debuted at India Art Fair 2025 with Ancient Moderns The Art of Jain Chhods, highlighting rare embroidered Jain temple textiles. Continuing this journey, India Art Fair 2026 presents Painted Epics & Printed Lives, exploring India's storytelling traditions through painted and printed textiles from the 19th and early 20th centuries, drawn from the Archive's collection.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The Sarita Handa Archive celebrates India's rich textile heritage through exhibitions that preserve and showcase the artistry, craftsmanship, and stories woven into its cultural history. It debuted at India Art Fair 2025 with Ancient Moderns The Art of Jain Chhods, highlighting rare embroidered Jain temple textiles. Continuing this journey, India Art Fair 2026 presents Painted Epics & Printed Lives, exploring India's storytelling traditions through painted and printed textiles from the 19th and early 20th centuries, drawn from the Archive's collection.
“Every textile I collected carried the story of an artisan, a region and a moment in our history. Preserving them became a responsibility rather than a hobby. I wanted future generations to understand that India’s strength was the craftsmanship, hard work and creativity of its people. Today, the Sarita Handa Archive preserves over 5,000 South Asian antique textiles so that this extraordinary legacy can continue to be seen, studied and valued.”
Capt. Rahul Puri
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
“Every textile I collected carried the story of an artisan, a region and a moment in our history. Preserving them became a responsibility rather than a hobby. I wanted future generations to understand that India’s strength was the craftsmanship, hard work and creativity of its people. Today, the Sarita Handa Archive preserves over 5,000 South Asian antique textiles so that this extraordinary legacy can continue to be seen, studied and valued.”
Capt. Rahul Puri
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR