India’s long legacy is not just the product of what we have managed to retain, but also of the many losses we’ve faced over time. From the terror the British Raj reigned on our people to the daily routines that have grown obsolete over the years, we’ve walked a cobbled path, left with dips and divots where cultural iconography once was. However, through this journey, we’ve also seen many resurgences, as artisans and scientists, beloved family members and strangers, dedicate themselves to reviving parts of what we’ve lost. 

Indianama 2024 honours Indian legacy through this year’s theme ‘Lost and Found.’ Founded by homegrown agency Animal, Indianama is a creative initiative dedicated to exploring our history, culture, and society through design. The project spotlights Indian talent, taking submissions from artists and designers across the country. We’ve covered previous editions of Indianama before, most notably their “Remapping History” project, wherein 69 artists reimagined significant moments in Indian history to celebrate 69 years of Independence. 

This year, 42 artists have come together to create a series of 40 unique postage stamps, each highlighting an aspect of Indian culture that was either lost or found. Stamps are a symbolic vessel for India’s primary historical mode of communication, issued by governing bodies– in the case of this project, they represent messages moving through time, traversing into the past, present, and future, as we consider what we’ve lost, recovered, and what we stand to gain. 

The stamps vary greatly in theme and message; some venture into the land of the obscure, such as one redacting a statement altogether to provoke thought about censorship. Others are based on a singular moment in time, such as India’s tragic loss in the 1950 World Cup qualifier, the only time we got even slightly close to the global pitch. Each of the 40 designs is unique, showcasing a different artist’s distinctive style through this shared medium. 

Indianama 2024’s reflection on our tumultuous, rich history sparks contemplation about what’s to come. In the months, years, and centuries that lie before us, we stand at a crux, at risk of losing so much but with the opportunity to regain and rebuild from what once was. I’m just excited to see what we have yet to find. 

Indianama 2024’s ‘Lost and Found’ project is being displayed at Method India from now until November 2. Find out more on Indianama’s Instagram page.

If you enjoyed reading this, here’s more from Homegrown: 

Diwali In A Cone: Bono’s Gulab Jamun Ice Cream Puts A Festive Twist On A Classic Dessert

Swarnim Moon's Abstract Art Captures The Chaos & Confusion Of A Dyslexic Mind

From Blood Fry To Intestines: Offal Could Offer Long-Lasting Homegrown Food Security