‘Stepwells of Ahmedabad - a conversation on water and heritage’ is a collaborative effort of a diverse group of researchers, practitioners, young graduates, students and concerned citizens to bring to light aspects of this recurring typology of water structures that are dispersed across the semi-arid and arid landscape of Western India. The first edition of this travelling exhibition was held at the Kanoria Centre for Arts in Ahmedabad from the 22ndto 29thMarch 2016. This endeavor began with the documentation of sixteen stepwells in and around the city of Ahmedabad, hoping to garner interest and raise discussions not only about the architectural merit of the structures themselves, but also larger issues of water, settlement patterns and social relationships to which they are connected. Within this framework, a conversation on their present condition, value and the issues of heritage in the context of the city was initiated.
The following stepwells were documented as a part of this endeavour : Rudabai ni Vaav, (Adalaj), Bai Harir ni Vaav (Asarva), Amritavarshini Vaav (Panchkuva), Jethabhai ni Vaav (Isanpur), Vaav at Vadaj, Maata bhavani ni vaav (Asarva), Ashapura maata ni vaav (Bapunagar), Gandharva vaav (Saraspur), Khodiyar maata ni vaav (Bapunagar), Ambe maata ni Vaav (Malav Talav), Sindhvai maata ni Vaav (CTM crossroads), Khodiyar maata ni vaav (Vasna), Vaav at Bhadaj, Vaav (Doshiwada ni Pol), "Pauranik" Vaav ( Bapunagar), Kali maata ni vaav ( Bapunagar).