Alice Boner and the Arts of India Trust – Residency

The Alice Boner and the Arts of India Trust offers Swiss literary scholars and practising artists a place to reside and work in Varanasi, India. [dated August 2008]

Pro Helvetia New Delhi in collaboration with The Alice Boner and the Arts of India Trust offers Swiss literary scholars and practising artists a place to reside and work in Varanasi, India.

Dr Alice Boner (1889-1981) a Swiss artist and scholar settled in Varanasi, India in 1936 and came to be known as one of the outstanding scholars and interpreters of Indian sculpture and temple architecture. Inspired by the surroundings, Alice Boner chose to live in an old house on Assi Ghat, on the banks of the river Ganges in Varanasi. Once in India, she turned to art studies and studied principles of Indian art and architecture. Her research led her - to not only the significant discovery of the principles of composition in Indian sculpture, but also to a search for the meaning of its content.

For her unique contribution to the understanding of Indian art, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan, an Indian civilian award that is awarded to recognise distinguished service of a high order to the nation, in any field, by the President of India in 1974. She was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Zürich.

The Alice Boner and the Arts of India Trust was set up with a view to support the study of fundamental principles in Indian art and establish fellowships for writers, artists and scholars who wish to live and work in Varanasi for a length of time. The Trust has maintained the house, as it was when Alice Boner lived there. Her own living quarters from where she could watch the sunrise and the river Ganges remain untouched. Residents staying at the house can also see Alice Boner’s paintings, which to this day adorn the walls of the house.

The Residency
Each residency will be for a period of four to eight weeks and will cover the costs of international flights, visa and insurance and also a per diem for the duration of stay. The Alice Boner and the Arts of India Trust will provide accommodation and also take care of the hospitality costs for the duration of the residency. Swiss writers and artists who are looking to work in India are encouraged to apply for this residency at least 3 months before they wish to take up residency to Pro Helvetia New Delhi.

Alice Boner House B1/ 159 Assi Ghat Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India Tel: +91 542 2311360