Archive · 27 Jul 2026
British Asians Explore Osterley House Through Shawl Exhibition
A man named Karun Thakar has put on a special show at a big old house in London called Osterley House.
He has 70 beautiful shawls from India that he wants to share with everyone.
These shawls are very special and were used in weddings and other important events.
The house was built by a family that made a lot of money from the East India Company, which is a part of history that some people might not know about.
The show is not just about the shawls; it's also about telling the story of how the house and the shawls are connected to history.
The shawls are displayed in different rooms of the house, and there is even a soft Punjabi wedding song playing in the background.
The show is meant to make people think about the past and appreciate the beauty of these special shawls.
Karun Thakar curated an exhibition of 70 Indian shawls at Osterley House in west London.
The shawls, known as baghs, are displayed in various rooms of the mansion, complementing its interiors.
Osterley House was built by the Child family, who made their fortune through the East India Company.
The exhibition aims to highlight the cultural significance of the shawls and the colonial history of the Child family.
A book titled 'The East India Company at Home: 1757-1857' provides detailed information about the Child family's wealth and its connection to the East India Company.
- Who
- Karun Thakar and Emma Slocombe
- What
- An exhibition of 70 shawls curated by Karun Thakar
- When
- Not specified in the articles
- Where
- Osterley Park and House, west London
- Why
- To showcase the beauty and cultural significance of traditional Indian shawls and to draw attention to the colonial history of the Child family.
Cultural Preservation
Colonial History Critique
Exhibition Purpose
Cultural Preservation
The exhibition aims to showcase the beauty and cultural significance of traditional Indian shawls, highlighting their artistic and historical value.
Colonial History Critique
The exhibition also serves as a critique of colonial history, drawing attention to the wealth of the Child family derived from the East India Company.
- Exhibition Name
- Journeys: Wedding Shawls, Baghs and Phulkaris from the Karun Thakar Collection
- Location
- Osterley Park and House, west London
- Curator
- Karun Thakar
- Number of Shawls
- 70
- Architect of Osterley House
- Robert Adam
- Book on East India Company
- The East India Company at Home: 1757-1857
- Authors of the Book
- Margot Finn and Kate Smith
- Exhibition Duration
- Not specified in the articles