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“ECHOES OF LIPPAN” - Nexus Event
- May 18
- 2 min read
18th September 2025, 10am-4pm | Hosted by GITAM School Of Architecture - Z565
Where Tradition Meets Form
On 18th September 2025, the GITAM School of Architecture (Z565), hosted “Echoes of Lippan”, a NEXUS event organized under the banner of the National Association of Students of Architecture (NASA) India. The goal being to create art pieces using Lippan (a traditional Gujarati craft of mud and mirror) to show modern architecture, a way to connect traditions with the present and to keep the traditional artforms alive.
The event brought together first, second and third - year architecture students from across the city for a morning of collaboration, cultural immersion, and artistic expression with footfall of 120 students.
Participating units : Z514, Z515, Z523, Z527, Z529, Z532, Z540, Z560, Z564. Z565.
Briefing Session
The day commenced at 10:00 AM with an orientation and briefing session by Advaya (Z565 UD) that set the tone for the event. Participants were introduced to the historical and cultural origins of Lippan art, its roots in the pastoral communities of Kutch, its role as a functional and decorative practice in traditional homes, and its visual vocabulary of mirrored tiles, geometric motifs, and earthy textures. The briefing also outlined the challenge: to translate the language of this ancient craft into a composition that reflected an architectural sensibility, a building, a skyline, or a spatial form rendered through clay and mirror.
Work Session
The heart of the day unfolded during the extended work session. Participants, working in groups set to work on their base boards with paints, air-dry clay, mirror chips, brushes, and glue, all materials supplied by the host college. The studio floor came alive with the sounds of creative exploration: sketching, molding, painting, and problem-solving.
The blending of the old and the new - vernacular craft with modern architectural form was very much at the heart of the exercise.
Lunch Break
A well-earned lunch break offered participants a moment to step back, recharge, and reflect on their compositions mid-process. The participants were given a chance to explore the GITAM, Hyd campus and regroup for the second half of the event.
Work Session / Painting
The afternoon session saw participants refine and complete their works. The clay-raised forms took shape under coats of vibrant colour, mirror fragments caught the light, and the base boards gradually transformed into richly layered compositions.
Conclusion and Closing Remarks
The event drew to a close with a brief conclusion session during which completed artworks were displayed and appreciated. Organizers and participants reflected on the day’s experience, on what it means to engage with craft as a form of architectural inquiry, and on the value of cross-college collaboration in the formative years of one’s education. The closing remarks were given by Veeksha (Z565 USec) acknowledged the warmth and enthusiasm brought by every participant and extended gratitude to the organizing team at Z565 for curating a day that was as enriching as it was joyful.
Credits
Ar. Bandhan Kumar Mishra - HOD GITAM School Of Architecture
Ar. Shruti Gawali - NASA Coordinator GITAM School Of Architecture
GSTUDIOS
GITAM HOSPITALITY
GITAM TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT
Coordinators
Veeksha Nomula Z565 Unit Secretary
Advaya Spoorthi Z565 Unit Designee
Volunteering Team,
GITAM School of architecture, 2nd Year
As my first time attending nexus, this was one of the best experiences. Collaborating with other college students was a first time for me, we enjoyed thoroughly. We made new connections, learnt to work with complete strangers and finished the work in a given time. Overall had a great time.