The Rediscovering Jajam Fellowship is a three-month research and documentation program offered by the Wabisabi Project in collaboration with the Rajasthani Bhasha Academy. The fellowship aims to investigate the layered histories, cultural meanings, and contemporary practices surrounding the jajam—a traditional handprinted textile once central to communal life in Rajasthan. Through immersive fieldwork, fellows will contribute to a growing public archive that reimagines the jajam as a living cultural object deeply connected to community memory, ritual, and social organization.
To explore previous work under the project, please visit: https://www.jajam.in.
Fellowship Details
January 2026 – March 2026 (3 months) Location: Western Rajasthan, with a focus on districts around Bikaner and Jodhpur.
Fellowship Expectations and Outcomes:
Selected fellows will engage directly with craftspeople, storytellers, and community members across western Rajasthan. The fellowship encourages interdisciplinary inquiry, inviting researchers, writers, artists, and cultural practitioners to document visual, oral, and material traditions that shape the jajam’s ongoing relevance.
Expected outcomes include:
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Visual documentation such as photographs, interview videos, and process recordings.
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A travel/work journal capturing observations, reflections, and key field insights.
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Transcripts, notes, oral narratives, and ethnographic material gathered during field visits.
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A final creative or academic output (such as a written essay, documentary, short film, or performance piece), developed in consultation with the project team.
Responsibilities of the Fellow
Fellows are expected to:
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Conduct field visits and engage with local communities, craftspeople, and tradition bearers to document their knowledge and practices.
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Maintain systematic records through notes, transcripts, photographs, audio-visual material, and/or sketches during the fellowship period.
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Participate in review meetings and contribute to project-wide discussions on research findings.
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Submit all required documentation and creative outputs by the end of the fellowship period.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should meet the following criteria:
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Proficiency in the Rajasthani language.
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Ability to operate a DSLR camera for photo and video documentation.
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Demonstrate interest in Rajasthan’s cultural heritage, folk traditions, and community narratives.
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Prior experience in ethnographic work or field documentation (preferred but not mandatory).
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Ability to travel and stay in rural parts of Rajasthan for extended periods.
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Strong communication and interpersonal skills suited for community-based engagement.
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Preference will be given to applicants from Rajasthan or those familiar with regional dialects and cultural contexts.
Fellowship Details
Duration: January 2026 – March 2026 (3 months)
Location: Fieldwork will be conducted primarily in western Rajasthan, with a focus on districts around Bikaner and Jodhpur. Final field sites will be determined based on project needs and fellow selection.
Financial Support
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Stipend:
₹10,000 per month (₹30,000 total), disbursed at the end of the fellowship upon submission of all required work. -
Field Travel Allowance:
Reimbursement of to-and-fro travel to assigned field sites and local transportation during fieldwork. Reimbursements will be based on actual expenses supported by valid receipts. -
Meal Allowance:
Reimbursement for meals incurred during fieldwork, based on actuals and subject to submission of receipts.
Application Process and Timeline
Interested candidates must submit the following documents by 10 December 2025:
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Statement of Purpose (500 words) outlining their interest, proposed approach, and relevance of their background to the fellowship.
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CV/Resume
All applications should be emailed to:
[email protected]
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview or additional documents if required.