Supriya Nandgouli

I am deeply rooted in Bidar, a region rich in architectural heritage, community history, and vibrant art and craft traditions. My learning interests lie in exploring how place-based knowledge can be preserved, shared, and transformed into opportunities for local communities. Through collaborative work, I aim to amplify voices from Bidar and foster recognition for the people, practices, and histories that shape this land.

On learning

For me, learning is not just about acquiring knowledge—it is about co-creating understanding with communities.

• Why: I believe learning is a pathway for communities to reclaim their histories and reimagine their futures.

• What: I facilitate spaces where people can engage with local knowledge systems, cultural practices, and everyday lived experiences.

• How: By using dialogic methods, storytelling, and collaborative research, I create opportunities for learners to connect with people and places meaningfully.

Situated Practice

My practice is grounded in Bidar, where every stone and story carries centuries of wisdom. By working closely with artisans, farmers, women’s collectives, and cultural practitioners, I situate my work at the intersection of community well-being, cultural preservation, and knowledge sharing. This rootedness allows me to highlight Bidar not just as a historical city, but as a living space of creativity, resilience, and innovation.

Place-based Engagements

I am engaged in multiple community-based and place-driven actions, such as:

• BHC - Documenting Bidar’s architectural and community histories

• DAKKHAN KE - Supporting artisan networks to showcase their art and craft in wider markets

• RHC Reproductive Health Cultures- Facilitating and creating spaces for women’s collectives to share their oral histories, lived experiences, and archiving cultural practices.

• Collaborating with local communities to design exhibitions, workshops, and dialogues that highlight Bidar’s contributions