Documenting heritage. inspiring pride.
A Multi-Volume Publication Series Celebrating the
Soul of Four Historic Districts in Maharashtra.
Client
Jilha Mahiti Karyalaya (District Information Office)
Location
Kolhapur, Dharashiv, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, Maharashtra, India
Industry
Government and Public Sector
Completion
2024
Project overview
The Jilha Mahiti Karyalaya for Kolhapur, Dharashiv (Osmanabad), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Beed commissioned a series of curated publications. Moving beyond standard government reports, these books act as cultural portraits that combine high-end photography with deep narrative storytelling. The goal was to foster local pride and global interest by documenting the sacred geography and lived traditions of these four districts.
Project details
Client :
Jilha Mahiti Karyalaya (District Information Office)
Location :
Kolhapur, Dharashiv, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, Maharashtra, India
Industry :
Government and Public Sector
Service :
Heritage Documentation and Visual Storytelling
Project type :
Multi-Volume Publication Series
Verticals :
Editorial Design, Cultural Archiving, and Photography
Completion :
2024
The challenge
The primary task was to represent four districts with very different identities without using a repetitive template. Each Jilha Mahiti Karyalaya needed a book that spoke to local residents while meeting international design standards.
Moodboard
Brand moodboard and ecosystem
The design approach focused on cultural immersion for both local citizens and institutional partners. For Kolhapur, the moodboard centered on cultural vibrancy, using rich saffron and gold tones that reflect the Mahalaxmi temple and royal Maratha history. Dharashiv (Osmanabad) used earthy ochres and stone textures inspired by the Balaghat hills and Paranda fort. Beed focused on the spiritual atmosphere of the Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlinga, one of India’s 12 Jyotirlingas.
Identity
Brand identy design
Each district’s identity was built through unique typography and layout styles.
- Kolhapur : Bold structures highlighted its role as a center for wrestling and traditional crafts like ‘Kolhapuri Chappal’.
- Paithan & Sambhajinagar : Sophisticated grids mirrored the intricate patterns of Paithani sarees.
- Dharashiv: Minimalist elegance reflected the district’s history and its ancient caves.
- Beed: Religious motifs were used to celebrate the district as the birthplace of Mukundraj, the first Marathi poet.
Visualisation
Brand visualisations
The series used cinematic pacing with large photography of landmarks like the Ajanta Caves and the Tulja Bhavani Temple.
Layouts were designed for government lounges and tourism kiosks.
Legacy
Final execution and impact
The final output consists of four premium volumes that elevate the state’s tourism branding.
- Heritage Documentation : The books cover over 12 talukas in Kolhapur and document sites dating back to the 2nd century BC.
- Historical Breadth : The series archives histories ranging from the Maurya and Satavahana dynasties to the Maratha era.
- Accessibility : Each book includes QR codes that link directly to Google Maps, making it easier for tourists to navigate to remote historical sites.
Project highlights
The portrait approach
By treating each district as a portrait rather than a list of places, the series created a meaningful emotional connection with the audience.
Modular identity
A flexible design system allowed the spiritual heritage of Beed and the royal legacy of Kolhapur to exist in the same series while keeping their unique character.
Curated stories
From the “Poem in Silk” (Paithani) to the “Dakshin Kashi” (Kolhapur), the series captured stories that had never been documented in such a high-quality format.