Mumbai: Indicus Paints has launched a compelling new documentary, “Drishti Bommai: Reviving the Tradition,” through its cultural initiative Indicus Crossections. The film received a special screening during the Design Through Our Lens panel at Madras Art Weekend 2025, the festival’s fourth edition, reinforcing Indicus’ position as a leader in connecting heritage with contemporary design.
The documentary traces the story of the Drishti Bommai, an ancient craft symbolizing faith, protection, and community. It highlights the urgent need to preserve generational skills that are increasingly threatened by urbanization, changing belief systems, and the lack of sustainable artisan livelihoods. Traditionally placed at thresholds, rooftops, and communal spaces across South India, these figures are believed to ward off malevolent forces while reinforcing collective faith and shared cultural memory. By presenting this rich cultural context, the film underscores how such crafts remain relevant today, bridging heritage with modern design practices.
As the inaugural project from Indicus Crossections, the documentary marks the beginning of a series dedicated to spotlighting crafts and practices that deserve renewed attention. Rather than portraying the craft as a relic of the past, the film presents the Drishti Bommai as a living cultural form, evolving while retaining its symbolic power. Through Crossections, Indicus aims to embed heritage into contemporary narratives with dignity and purpose.
Commenting on the documentary, Gokul Basker, Brand Founder, Indicus & Partner, VNC Group, said, “The Drishti Bommai is more than a cultural artefact—it is a living testament to centuries of faith and craftsmanship. This film is not just documentation—it is intervention. By tracing the practice and the craft that must not be lost, we hope to ensure that future generations continue to encounter that unforgettable, wide-eyed gaze watching over them.”
Links of the film:
5 minute version –
20 minute version –
