Guide to the Yukti V. Agarwal collection, 2008, 2019-2020


John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2024

Collection Overview

Title: Yukti V. Agarwal collection
Date range: 2008, 2019-2020
Creator: Agarwal, Yukti V.
Extent: 0.25 linear feet
Abstract: This collection was created by Yukti V. Agarwal, Brown University and Rhode Island School of Art and Design dual degree student, class of 2024.5, to record the impact of the 2008 Mumbai Attacks on her life. Agarwal was eight years old at the time of the events. Her parents were en route to the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel for a wedding but stopped at a local temple to pray and were late arriving, narrowly missing the attack. At Brown University (in a Literary Arts course with Hiram (Rick) Moody: Graphic Novels and Comic Masterworks), Agarwal created a series of art books to work through the trauma she felt from nearly losing her parents and for her community. The materials include a series of four art books by Agarwal as well as a pink embroidered dupattā that her parents bought as a wedding gift for the bride who was killed in the attacks. Agarwal originally thought to wrap the shawl around the art books as an artistic statement but instead donated the item alongside the books for long term preservation. These items date from 2008, 2019 - 2020.
Repository: John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number: OF.1S.2024.003

Scope & content

This collection was contributed by Yukti V. Agarwal, Brown University class of 2024.5, to record the impact of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks on her life.

The Mumbai terrorist attacks of 2008 refer to multiple terrorist attacks that occurred on November 26–29, 2008, in Mumbai, India. The attacks were carried out by 10 gunmen who were believed to be connected to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terrorist organization. Armed with automatic weapons and hand grenades, the terrorists targeted civilians at several sites in the southern part of Mumbai, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji railway station, the popular Leopold Café, two hospitals, and a theatre. While most of the attacks ended within a few hours after they began on November 26, attacks continued at three locations where hostages were taken—the Nariman House, the Oberoi Trident, and the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower. By the time the standoff ended at the Nariman House on the evening of November 28, six hostages as well as two gunmen had been killed. At the two hotels, dozens of guests and staff were either trapped by gunfire or held hostage. Indian security forces ended the siege at the Oberoi Trident around midday on November 28 and at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in the morning of the following day. In all, at least 174 people were killed. More than 300 people were injured. Nine of the 10 terrorists were killed, and one was arrested.

Agarwal's parents were on their way to a wedding at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel when they stopped at their local temple to pray. This prevented them from arriving at the hotel before the attacks began, ultimately saving their lives. Unfortunately, the bride, groom, and many guests were killed. Agarwal was eight years old at the time of the attacks. Later, at Brown University (in a Literary Arts course with Hiram (Rick) Moody: Graphic Novels and Comic Masterworks), she created a series of art books to process the terrorist attacks and the meaning of terrorism. They won the second prize for the Casey Shearer Memorial Award for Non-Fiction in 2024.

This collection contains the pink embroidered dupattā that Agarwal's parents bought for the bride as well as the artbooks she subsequently created. These items date from 2008 - circa 2018 and are arranged into one series alphabetically. The art books are meant to be read in the order arranged.

Access Points

Subject Organizations Subject Topics Document Types

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into 1 series alphabetically by record type. The art books are meant to be read in the order arranged.

Biographical/Historical Note

Yukti V. Agarwal was born and brought up in the city of Mumbai, India. She graduated from the Bombay International School and then enrolled as a student in the Brown / RISD Dual Degree Program in 2019. She concentrated in Psychology and Contemplative Studies at Brown University and Textile Design with a minor in the Theory and History of Art and Design at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). During her undergraduate career, she was a staff illustrator and section editor for The College Hill Independent, an Executive Member of the Brown / RISD Dual Degree Exhibition Committee, President of the South Asian Students Association at Rhode Island School of Design, and has had work displayed on many local and international fine-arts and design exhibitions and fairs such as the Satellite Salone del Mobile, Milan. Notably, Agarwal founded and was the first editor-in-chief of desi–gned, New England's first publication for the South Asian diaspora. The publication centers native terminology; acts on reviving print and physical knowledge archives; and subverts conventional methods of knowledge transmission to champion for equitable futures on Brown University and RISD's campuses. In spring 2024, the art books she created and contained within this collection won the second prize for the Casey Shearer Memorial Award for Non-Fiction. Agarwal graduated from the dual degree program in December 2024.

As a multidisciplinary designer, Agarwal's work is rooted in engaged scholarship and extensive user research to reimagine societies, cultures, and futures through a lens of mindful, purpose-driven and human-centered design. She believes in collaboration and constant iteration to create experiences and products that champion inclusion, sustainability, and accessibility through design and innovation.

Access & Use

Access to the collection: There are no restrictions on access for analog materials, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials: All researchers seeking to publish materials from the collections of the John Hay Library are requested to complete a Notice of Intent to Publish, prior to reproducing, quoting, or otherwise publishing any portion or extract from this collection. Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation: Yukti V. Agarwal collection, OF-1S-2024-003, Box [#], Folder [#], Pembroke Center Archives, John Hay Library, Brown University.
Contact information: John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
Acquisition: Gift of Yukti V. Agarwal in 2020.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Finding aid prepared by Amanda Knox, on behalf of the Pembroke Center for the Teaching and Research on Women and the Brown University Library.
Encoding: This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-04-30.
Descriptive rules: Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)
Sponsor: Curatorial work provided by Mary O. Murphy, on behalf of the Pembroke Center for Teaching and Research on Women and the Brown University Library.

Additional Information

Related material:

Related Materials

See also Agarwal's Pembroke Center Oral History interview, conducted in 2020, and Desi-gned: New England's First South Asian Publication, founded by Agarwal.

Inventory

Box [31236104064715] 1, Folder 1 Art book 1 (blue): dedicated to "every child who had to learn the meaning of terrorism"
 2019 - 2020
Box [31236104064715] 1, Folder 2 Art book 2 (pink): dedicated to "everyone who couldn't say goodbye to their loved ones"
 2019 - 2020
Box [31236104064715] 1, Folder 3 Art book 3 (yellow): dedicated to "everyone whose prayers weren't answered that night"
 2019 - 2020
Box [31236104064715] 1, Folder 4 Art book 4 (green): dedicated to "all those who pretended to be dead for up to 40 hours after the attack"
 2019 - 2020
Box [31236104064723] 2 Dupattā
 2008