Exhibits in museums are advanced platforms for academic research that combine visual communication techniques to efficiently convey information and shape behaviour. Increasingly, exhibitions are recognized as dynamic research methods, transcending traditional academic boundaries. They merge ethnographic work with transdisciplinary approaches, reimagining curatorial practices as methodologies for research and knowledge creation. A qualitative study examined the complex dynamics of Durga Puja’s creative industries and stakeholder engagement in Kolkata. Conducted with 12 transdisciplinary participants, master of design students, and 168 exhibition attendees, the study aimed to map informal stakeholder clusters and curate an exhibition with the aim of discovering unknowns. The research process was divided into three phases: pre-pilot, pilot, and post-pilot studies. Techniques included expert sampling, brainstorming, brainwriting, snowball sampling, photography, and data infographic creation. Participants generated 20 digitally designed posters and 100 snapshots, displayed during the exhibition. Attendee feedback revealed positive experiences, fostering public engagement and creativity. Stakeholders were classified into two groups: idol-making and pandal-making industries. Analysis identified 703 keywords, offering insights into exhibition design as a research method to uncover hidden aspects of cultural practices. The findings emphasize exhibitions as powerful tools for public pedagogy and stakeholder collaboration.