Today on the blog, we feature, Rama Srinivasan a craft and textitle enthusiast , dancer and design entrepreneur. Ram shares with us her new line up, inspirations and more about her label Dakshin Studio, based out of Bangalore. Read on…
Tell us a bit about yourself and Dakshin Studio.
India Inspires me. The Culture, History, Mythological stories, Colours, Festivals, Kings, Queens, everything about our country India inspires me. I was always artistic and being trained as a classical Dancer, have been exposed to all the goodness of culture this beautiful country has to offer. My life took a complete turn after I quit my regular corporate job post marriage when I had to move cities. The burning desire to do something on my own, something to do with our textiles, colours and weaves landed me into giving birth to Dakshin Studio.
What you see as a part of the collection at Dakshin Studio is my version of telling stories.. stories of India, its, colours, its vast textiles and weaves and how these can become a part of our living. how we can carry / feel India
As the name suggests Dakshin, meaning south in Hindi/Sanskrit has been chosen as the main theme as I believe I can portray and visualize the essence of the various textures and weaves of the South India in my own unique style.
How has Dakshin Studio evolved over the years.
The three year old Dakshin Studio constantly works on blending the beauty and elegance of the rich, hand-woven weaves of Southern India like the Kalamkari, Pochampalli Ikat, Mangalgiri from Andhra or the Cottons from Chettinad and Kanchipuram, and the vibrant and lustrous Khunn from north Karnataka by transforming them into Urban Accessories we can relate to.
The artisans you work with.
It is an earnest effort to revive the appreciation for these traditional textiles which are a part of our rich culture. In the process we attempt to engage these humble and talented artisans in creating products that you can be proud to own.
Dakshin Studio has also been working in collaboration with a Bangalore based women’s livelihood group right from the very beginning, by providing basic skills and job work to the women and also contributed in their earnings . We continue to work along with them till date and now share a special bond with the women of this livelihood group.
Handmade in India / Make in India – what does this mean to you?
We live in a world where everything around us is mass produced. While we can justify that mass produced things are required to fill the demand in this big world, there is also a small number of people who are happy to embrace and appreciate things that are handmade. When you make something, you leave a part of yourself in it. Handmade things leave an expression of the maker which one can treasure and value. Handmade to me means honouring and respecting the maker. It cannot be duplicated.
Handmade is made by heart.
What are your displaying at the By Hand, From The Heart.
Accessories like Bags which are aesthetically designed using Hand-painted Kalamkari by master-craftsmen from Andhra, Hand made beaded neck accessories using the vibrant and lustrous khunn from North Karnataka, garments (Tops) in Khunn, Chettinad and Mangalgiri, Belts in Khun, Cushion covers in the most beautiful colours of Khunn and sarees and stoles creatively crafted in different textures of Mangalagiri, Ikat, kalamkari and khunn.
By Hand From The Heart: MAKERS MARKET – 21st Edition
Date: Friday – Saturday, 8th – 9th September, 2017
Time: 10:00 a.m – 8:00 p.m
Venue: Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park
Address: 132, T.T.K Road, Alwarpet, Chennai – 600018, Tamil Nadu. India
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