Kolkata, March 9, 2026:
Kolkata witnessed the grand inauguration of Ekaa – The One, a national travelling art exhibition by renowned artist Dr. Beena S. Unnikrishnan, presenting a powerful contemporary interpretation of the ancient tradition of the 64 Yoginis. The exhibition introduces audiences to a unique artistic exploration of one of India’s most profound yet underexplored cultural legacies.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by several distinguished personalities, including Syed Gardezi, Acting Consul of the U.S. Consulate; Anirban Das, Theme Artist and Director of Bengal Echoes and concept designer for Asian Paints Sharad Shamman; Raju Burman, Owner of Rupa Publications and Treasurer of the Publishers and Booksellers Guild; and Silajit Ghosh, edupreneur and abstract expressionist.
The exhibition features 64 contemporary paintings, a series that Dr. Beena spent five years creating. The project forms part of an ambitious national journey across 16 states, having begun in Kochi earlier this year and travelling through several cities before arriving in Kolkata. Through these artworks, the exhibition invites viewers to engage with the Yoginis not merely as mythological figures but as powerful symbols of feminine knowledge, identity and cosmology.
Conceived as a non-commercial travelling exhibition, Ekaa – The One aims to reintroduce the Yogini tradition to modern audiences through art, research and dialogue. Historically, Yogini temples dating back to the 9th–12th centuries served as open circular spaces that challenged traditional ideas of power, gender and ritual, and explored feminine knowledge beyond orthodox structures.
Drawing inspiration from this heritage, Dr. Beena’s works reinterpret the Yoginis through a contemporary visual language that bridges ancient traditions with present-day conversations on gender, identity and cultural memory.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Beena S. Unnikrishnan, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Atelier Magazine and Founder of Kankali Trust (KT-ACED), said the Yoginis represent deeper ideas of embodiment and feminine wisdom rather than mere mythological figures. She expressed hope that audiences would engage with the works not only as paintings but as encounters with an ancient yet living feminine legacy.
Open to the public without any entry fee, the exhibition reinforces its commitment to making Yogini heritage accessible beyond institutional or commercial frameworks. With its arrival in Kolkata, Ekaa – The One has sparked a meaningful dialogue between ancient feminine knowledge systems and contemporary artistic expression, transforming the exhibition into a significant cultural moment for the city.
