Mughal miniature painters are known for their fine skill in portraying elaborate detail — their dexterity the product of an intricate painting process passed down through generations of artisans. From the preparation of paper to the concoction of pigments to the precise lines that land on the page, skill manifests as ritual within this art form and discipline. When we examine the living tradition of Mughal miniature painting and marvel at its techniques, the process of creation reveals itself as a form of preservation — a repository of history that continues to endure through practice.

In celebration of the culmination of the exhibition What the Camera Didn’t See, TRI Art & Culture welcomes Keerat Garcha, Conservator at Kolkata Centre for Creativity, in conversation with master Mughal miniature painter Riyaz Uddin of Pink City Studio, Jaipur. Together, they explore the relationship between creation and conservation through the lens of miniature painting, offering audiences a glimpse into the atelier traditions that preserve both craft and cultural memory.