Favorite smell: Parrots

For a chaotic mind, Maithilee’s love (and need) for order is rather odd but befitting for a communications anchor at the Conflictorium. They are interested in the politics of love and make efforts to build, and curate dialogues about various intersections of identity through different forms of media. They have previously worked with multiple LGBT+ rights organisations on using storytelling as a tool for advocacy

Favorite smell: Khichdi, musk melon and ghee

Vaidehi is a visual artist who primarily expresses herself through the mediums of text, books, zines, and graphic novels. Her area of research is centred on socio- political and identity dynamics.

Favorite smell: Dashang Dhoop

Kamini Nag is a housekeeping and maintenance coordinator at the Conflictorium, Raipur. She is from Bhilai-3 in Chhattisgarh. Mother of three children, she likes to read whenever she gets a chance. She also enjoys listening to music and indulging in impromptu dance with her daughters. She likes to work at the museum the most as she gets to learn new things on a daily basis.

Favorite smell: How Mirzapur smells for sure, of wet earth, of raat rani, of cinnamon sticks and tea shops

Avni is an interdisciplinary practitioner with her primary concern lying between culture, memory, space and the body. She studied Interdisciplinary Design from the Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore and pursued a master’s in performance studies at Ambedkar University, Delhi. She conceptualized and designed the Conflictorium in 2013 and has operated as its Artistic Director from 2013-2023. Trained in multiple dance idioms, her performances are largely inspired by syncretic faith traditions as well as sites of contested narratives. She is interested in exploring the relationship between intimate audiences and the performing body.

Favorite Smells: “I can’t pick up many smells”

Divakar is an art critic and curator who also edits a bi-monthly called ‘The Baroda Pamphlet’, on art and culture. He also manages an experimental art space called ‘Knots’ in Baroda. His other interests include films, music, books and star gazing. At the Conflictorium, he curates exhibitions on various themes and facilitates the Artist-in-Residency programme.

Favorite smell: Naphthalene balls and sauteing garlic

Gargi is an associate working in research and outreach of the museum. She moonlights as a freelance journalist and is exploring storytelling through different media. She is interested in exploring conflict, its symptoms and consequences, through stories.

Favorite Smells: does not like smells

Jay is interested in exploring and developing dialogues around the politics of translations, haptics, and bridging worlds. Jay’s vision for the Conflictorium is to make it a mainstream “event” that reaches a wider audience, rather than just a haven for a select few. He believes that the museum is a thought-provoking exploration of events, memories, (non)representation, and (anti)image. His outreach presentations aim to challenge and confront people, encouraging them to consider new ideas, break habits that hold them back, and unearth “certain” grounds.

दिमाग की नसे खींचने वाली बातें, इनका पेट भरती है।

Favorite Smells: Jeera and Phenyl 

Ranjeeta is the sole earning member of her family, and has been working as domestic housekeeper and carer for the last 30 years. She has three children who she is extremely proud of. Her two daughters have studied till 5th grade and are now married and engaged respectively. Her son, the youngest child, is a professional dancer. Ranjeeta has a sweet tooth and is most happy to survive off just cake and mithai for an entire day!

Favorite smell: Scent of geniunity and creativity

Abhishek has submitted and presented PhD thesis in Film Studies at School of Culture and Creative Expressions (SCCE), Ambedkar University Delhi. He has taught courses and conducted workshops in film-production, film- studies, theatre performance making, culture studies and creative arts at universities like Ambedkar University Delhi, AAFT Noida, Amity School of Film and Drama Noida and Amity School of Communication Jaipur. At Conflictorium Abhishek serves as an educator to initiate dialogues and workshops that promote critical thinking and art-appreciation. He is also practicing as a documentary filmmaker and theater-maker.

Favorite Smells: Fresh flowers, rain wet clay and sweet basil

Nayan Rathod working as a museum manager at Conflictorium-Ahmedabad, which includes but is not limited to interacting and guiding visitors at the Museum premises. Along with, also handle many internal communications for purposes of accounting, building maintenance and intra-team logistics. Studied M.com from the H.L Commerce College. Like to watch movies, swimming and always excited for wandering new places.

Favorite Smells: Citrus and Coco Butter 

Jignesh is a graduate of Gujarat University and has earned a diploma in computer programming from H.K. College, Ahmedabad. He has more than 15 years’ experience in commerce and the IT sector. At the Conflictorium, he provides technical & technology support from time-to-time.