An artist book is not just read; it is entered. It weaves together text, images, materials, and form into a unified work of art. The reader steps inside, engaging every sense—seeing, touching, feeling the rhythm, and pausing to reflect.
Here, the book transforms from a vessel of information into an immersive, tactile world that invites contemplation. Every detail—from the texture of the paper to the dance of typography and images—carries meaning. Reading slows, deepens, and becomes a personal journey.
Mrunal Pawar embraces this potential in her work, crafting books that are not only seen and read but also held, experienced, and woven into daily life.
The Śrīsūktam
The Śrīsūktam is one of the most beloved hymns of the Vedic tradition. Recited across homes and temples as an invocation to the Goddess Lakshmi, it is both a prayer for abundance and a meditation on inner radiance, harmony, and grace.
The Śrīsūktam belongs to the Rigveda , appearing in its Khila (appendix) portion, Khila Sukta , 5.87.1-15. (5.87 refers to the book and hymn number, while 1-15 denotes the specific verses.) While not a part of the core Mandalas of the Samhita , it has long been received and recited within the Vedic tradition. Scholarly documentation, including references preserved at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, affirms its place within this extended Vedic corpus.
The Vedas- Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda are regarded as śruti , “that which is heard.” They are understood not as compositions of human authorship but as revelations received by the Rishis in states of profound awareness. Preserved through an extraordinary oral tradition, Vedic chanting remains a living practice, recognized globally, including by UNESCO, which has inscribed Vedic chanting as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Rising from this sacred river of sound, the Śrīsūktam calls forth auspiciousness in all its richness. Here, Goddess Lakshmi is not only the bestower of material wealth but the living essence of nourishment, beauty, fertility, courage, clarity, and well-being. The hymn gently dissolves both inner and outer scarcity, inviting wholeness into every corner of life.
This edition is envisioned as more than a book; it is a portable shrine, a puja ghar to accompany you wherever you go. As an art book, it weaves together visual beauty and contemplative depth. It pays homage to sacred geometry, symbolism, and silence, shaping a visual sanctuary that nurtures sadhana and tranquility. Compact and graceful, it is crafted to be your companion at home, on journeys, or in quiet moments ensuring the presence of Śrī is always near.
Adding to this sacred experience, the author has recited the Śrīsūktam beautifully. By clicking to this YouTube link, you may listen to the chant in its authentic cadence. Thus, the book unites śabda (sound) and rupa (form), allowing the seeker to both see and hear the mantra , to read and to receive.
We invite you not merely to turn these pages, but to enter them. To chant. To listen. To allow the vibrations of the Śrīsūktam to settle the mind and open the heart.
May this offering bring auspiciousness to your space, abundance to your efforts, and serenity to your inner being
May Śrī dwell where she is invoked with reverence and love.
Other works by Author Mrunal Pawar
Kathakrang: Movement in Form
In Kathakrang, the graceful flow of Kathak dance finds new expression within the pages of a book. Rhythm, gesture, and storytelling unfold as a journey woven from images and words.
The pages themselves move like choreography, capturing fleeting expressions, graceful transitions, and the unfolding story. This is not merely a record of dance, but a reimagining—where movement is reborn in a new artistic language.
Likhita Japa: Writing as Meditation
The Likhita Japa series welcomes the devotee into a simple yet profound ritual: inscribing the divine name, one mindful stroke at a time.
These journals are thoughtfully crafted to nurture repetition, focus, and inner calm. Writing transforms into meditation, quieting the mind and opening the heart. Each page becomes a sanctuary for presence, discipline, and devotion.
Across all her works, Mrunal Pawar’s approach is rooted in playfulness, imagination, wonder, and collaboration. Her books invite touch and engagement, encouraging readers to slow down and forge a deeper bond with every page. These are not books to be read and set aside, but companions to revisit time and again. They create space for reflection, spark creativity, and invite inner exploration. Through her expanding body of work, she is breathing new life into the artist book in India, making it personal, meaningful, and vibrantly alive.
