MID-DAY: How did you decide to put together this water-themed collection of art?
Karishma Swali: Water Memories didn’t begin with a single moment. It took shape gradually through conversations, observations, and a deepening sense of responsibility. At Moonray, environmental responsibility is part of how we think, create, and live. This project grew from that ethos. It felt like the right moment to bring art and awareness into the same space and create something that could hold reflection, urgency, and beauty in equal measure. Water holds memories of stories, rituals, and ecologies that have shaped how we live and relate to the world around us. It was important to respond to that presence, not only as an artist, but as part of a larger, interconnected whole. This book is our way of honouring that connection — a tribute, a reflection, and a call to care for what still endures.

Krishna, 2024, Karishma Swali and the Moonray Collective, organic jute and cotton thread on textile, 60 x 84 inches. Pics Courtesy/The Moonray Collective

MD: Who was your inspiration when you started to assemble the visual artists for this project?
KS: Its making was a collective act shaped by many hands and conversations. We worked closely with Studio Anugraha, a Mumbai-based design studio, to craft a visual and conceptual rhythm for this book. Together, we shaped a space that could hold the work of 12 incredible artists. Some of the artists featured in the book are long-time collaborators; others have been friends and sources of inspiration for years. Manu Parekh’s work, for instance, is part of our private collection.