Suzzane – Jasmine’s cousin is the one who commissioned me to make this trunk. She is going to fill it up with stuff and give it as a parting gift. It’s a keep sake, full of their memories – memories that they created here during a two year stint in Bangalore. They go back to Canada in a couple of days.
It’s the fastest piece of work that I have done in quite a while- three days of concentrated work.

I asked Suzie to give me a detailed account with descriptions of the people involved as well as their likes and dislikes. And their special memories and milestones while they were here. The top of the trunk shows the major ‘players’ involved.

The front depicts the traffic snarls and the general population on the roads with signage that has special significance for the family. The monkeys shown are special friends that Manav made while watching them play in his balcony.

The back depicts two cows fighting with conversation typical of Vinay, along with two sardars, Bhangra dancers, ‘Ek Onkar’ and a ‘Khanda’. The title “Singh is King” not only reflects the fact that Jasmine is a sardarni, but also that this was the first song that little Manav learnt to sing. It is also an off-take on the two ‘singhs- ( horns)’ fighting.

One side depicts the love for butter chicken that a certain family member has ( I am not saying who)… but this love always turns into heartache with a violently upset stomach!! The chicken is shown squawking ‘khao khao’- words continuously expressed by the two nani’s.

The other side depicts the multiple trips that Vinay has made between Canada and India, the computer and finance related business that they are in. As well as the part Face book plays in keeping their relationship alive and kicking.

My friends Awanish and Divya wanted me to ”do something” on a 30 year old table they had lying in the house. I decided to truly jazz it up.

I happened to be watching TV while mulling over what to do. I realized that most people today would spend time mindlessly watching ‘dhin chak’ items songs but would probably not sit through a serious classical dance performance. And the Item Bomb table was born. It depicts pictures of Bollywood actresses in snazzy item song snapshots in the center while the periphery is made up of a string of traditional dancers. Dancers who have been sidelined, so to speak.

This was done almost two years ago. Dug up the pictures to show you. Not the best picture quality… I have been asked to make table lamps on the same theme!!

Ok. I don’t do this usually and I don’t do this for everyone. And I certainly don’t do it twice. But, the last one I made got stolen! Yup. Stolen from outside their door!!!!!

So here is the new nameplate for my friends Anju and Ketav Kadam.

Kadam Khaandaan ke liye

After a long hiatus, my kitsch work is back in the press. A big thank you to Neelam Raaj for a wonderfully written article. The article talks about a new breed of young designers, who are going against the tide of mass production by offering quirky and vibrant home accessories. “From pop art-themed wall clocks and kitschy kettles to India-inspired coasters and naughty playing cards, there’s a range of stuff that can add personality to your living room…”

Feels good to be in such creative company.
You can read the full article by following this link here.

ToI Crest Edition

Click to read the article

I have just added five of eight new kettles to the ‘Kitsch‘ section and two new Khiladi tables to the ‘Furniture‘ section. For those of you in Bangalore, they are currently on display and ‘for sale’ at the Sattva Arthouse Studio in Whitefield. Only for two days though- 5th and 6th of June 2010.
( Told you- I’ve been busy !!)

They say imitation is the best form of flattery. Well, I guess then I am flattered. Need I say more?

“Innovative designers in Bangalore – There are limitless possibilities to design innovations. And Bangalore’s creative lot of designers find inspiration in myriad things like traditions and beliefs to textiles, trees and discarded materials. MetroMela profiles four designers across Bangalore who believe in doing stuff that’s different from run of the mill….  ”

Thank you to  Reshmi for writing such a wonderful piece on my work in Metromela.com. You can read it the entire article  here.

I am happy to say, my work is in Delhi for the next couple of weeks.

Nazar Battoo Kettle

It will be available at-

Maximum Store Pvt. Ltd.,
5-J/1, Ground floor, Shahpur Jat,
New Delhi – 110049
t: +91 11 26493150, 46168026m: +91 98183 18196
e: communicate@themaximumstore.com

Do drop in if you have time.

I am happy to be participating in a three day exhibition in Kolkatta. This venture is in association with F.U.S.S.

 My work wil be available at-

 The Amoda Spa Bar,
22 Camac Steet ( behind Pantaloons),
Kolkatta.

From 11am to 11pm.
6th, 7th and 8th Oct 2009.

Do drop in if you are anywhere close.

It’s but a mention and I have to say thanks to Piali Dasgupta for writing the article.

Bangalore Times

Click for a larger image