Art lover | Purva Damani | Global Indian

Global IndianstoryArt ‘Louvre’: At Purva Damani’s 079 | Stories, art and culture come together

Art ‘Louvre’: At Purva Damani’s 079 | Stories, art and culture come together

Written by: Vikram Sharma

(June 12, 2022) A visit to Louvre – the world famous museum in Central Paris – is sure to leave any visitor spellbound. Purva Damani was no exception. As a 10-year-old accompanied by her elder sister Puja Shah into the sprawling museum, home to some of the best known works of art, the art lover couldn’t take her eyes off the masterpieces on display. Keenly observing the exhausting display of artworks, it set her thinking passionately about arts and sculptures. Louvre had left a lasting impression on her mind.

She followed it up with visits to the Brooklyn Museum of Art and Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and Kanoria Centre of Arts in her home town of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. This gave her the chance to dig deeper into the world of art, which eventually became a lifelong passion for Purva Damani. It gave birth to an idea called 079 | Stories – a pulsating art gallery in Ahmedabad, where art and culture is celebrated every day.

Purva Damani is the founder of 079 | Stories

“My gallery is a platform that brings art and culture together and makes it accessible for people. From young contemporary artists to modern masters of national and international fame and reputation, we have hosted multiple art shows. It is a space that caters to art, design and creativity,” smiles Purva Damani, the founder and director of 079 | Stories, in a chat with Global Indian.

Gone are those days when only few people were art collectors. “With an increasing awareness about art among the younger generation, we see many young art enthusiasts investing in art, thus leading to a growing number of new art collectors,” informs Purva.

A love affair with art galleries

Born to a jewellery designer mother and a businessman father in Ahmedabad in 1980, Purva completed her schooling from Mt Carmel Convent High School and graduated from the HL College of Commerce, Ahmedabad. But it was her annual visits to the US (being a green card holder) that introduced her to art at a very young age.

“Of course, the Louvre had left an imprint on my mind. However, my mother Ila Vasa and sister Puja, an avid art lover, played a pivotal role in igniting my passion for arts. I used to tag along with them to various museums and art galleries in the US,” informs the trained Kathak dancer, who also did her diploma in marketing from the Ahmedabad Management Association.

After her post-graduation in 2003, Purva enrolled for a year in advertising and communications at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York. “During that time, I worked in libraries and fashion stores and explored a lot about art,” informs the 42-year-old, who never felt like settling in the US. “After travelling the world, I realised India is my true home with its rich culture, heritage and strong social bonds. I took the best out of the US and decided to settle here,” the art lover adds.

Purva Damani at her art gallery

Armed with interpersonal skills coupled with a diploma in Human Resources and Marketing, she joined as a HR consultant in Mumbai before returning to Ahmedabad. Later, she married former national cricketer Kirat Damani, who is now the managing partner with AC Damani and advocates, a prominent law firm in Ahmedabad. However, art was something that was strongly etched in her mind.

Passion turned into profession

Personal tragedy had pushed Purva at her lowest in 2013 after multiple miscarriages. But that’s when she decided to bounce back and conceptualised 079 | Stories. “My idea to follow my passion gave me a new zeal to kick start working towards my goal. The thought of following my passion for art and getting into the art scene struck me while I was dealing with my postpartum depression,” informs the art enthusiast.

While she did a thorough research, met different artists, understood their art and mediums and visited art galleries and museums, it was her family’s support that propelled her into launching her own art space.

But setting up her art gallery had its own share of challenges – from finalising the design for the kind of art organisation she wanted to represent to setting up the module to the services offered. But after years of hardwork and conceptualisation, the art gallery was launched in 2018. For Ahmedabad, it was a whole new experience as the art aficionados were introduced to an art gallery, workshop space and an amphitheater, all under one roof.

Purva Damani

Hosting multiple art shows, plays, musical events including jazz festivals and Sufi music, book reading sessions, pottery festivals and workshops aimed at reviving the dying art of mata ni pachedi – it soon became the most talked-about art galleries in Ahmedabad. In the following years, it hosted the works of artists including Paresh Maity, Jayashri Burman, Mizaffar Ali, Brinda Miller, Seema Kohli and the likes. From modern contemporary to multi-media to sculptures, the gallery has displayed a range of artworks, making a hit among the art aficionados. But why 079 | Stories? “Well, it is the STD code of Ahmedabad!” the art lover smiles.

Making art available to youngsters

Purva is on a mission to make art available to youngsters. “Respect for arts needs to be infused early and its relevance in our life needs to be highlighted,” says Purva who believes India has always been a centre of art and culture and is part of everyday life. “All of us need to come together to support young upcoming artists. The awareness among the younger generation is paving the way for more refined art,” says the mother of two who has plans to host more exhibitions.

“I want to provide a stable platform for mid-level, young and emerging artists. Promoting affordable art through exhibitions is what I intend to do,” says Purva, a certified healer who practices healing regularly.

Purva Damani with her family

Art has often been associated with the rich, and that the notion Purva wants to break. “That is precisely the reason why I am promoting more and more budding artists,” points out Purva, who is on the advisory boards for various institutes and NGOs and is regularly invited for panel discussions on art. Purva feels the art scene has evolved for the better over the years. “Earlier, very few people were art collectors, but that scenario has changed. Now we see more youngsters who are art enthusiasts, and the number is growing,” the art lover says.

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Published on 12, Jun 2022

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Jay Sean: The British-Indian artiste completes 20 years in hip-hop music world

(April 16, 2024) Who can forget the peppy song Dance With You from the early 2000s? Then a 22-year-old, Jay Sean was among the few South Asian artistes who exploded on the music scene with a chartbuster that was set to change the course of his life. The song made the British-Indian artiste an overnight star, and as they say, the rest is history. Despite the changing time, he has kept himself relevant and the proof of it is that this year he completes 20 years in the music industry. "To be able to have 20 years in the music industry and have songs that have stuck as classics now, to me is always a blessing. The challenge is really just understanding how to evolve," he said in an interview. [caption id="attachment_50752" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Jay Sean[/caption] In the last two decades, the poster boy of the UK's Asian underground music scene has truly put Indian music and hip-hop on the global map. He was among the first few Indian artistes who opened the doors of South Asian music to the world, and is continuing to bring joy to music lovers across the world with his work. His latest song Heartless,

map. He was among the first few Indian artistes who opened the doors of South Asian music to the world, and is continuing to bring joy to music lovers across the world with his work.

His latest song Heartless, which was released a week ago, has already grabbed the attention of music lovers, and he knows his music works because he is being true to himself. "I understand what I have to offer to the industry, that if I write and deliver a song, it will always be a Jay Sean song. Regardless of how the production is changing, or even the melodies of the times are changing, it will still have my signature stamp on it," he added.

Growing up with music

Born as Kamaljit Singh Jhooti in London to Indian immigrant parents in a Punjabi Sikh family, Jay was raised in the Asian community of South Hall. From a young age, he was drawn to music, leading him to form a hip-hop band Compulsive Disorder with his cousin at the age of 11. A young Jay attended Latymer Upper School in the morning and wrote songs in the evening. "I remember watching Yo! MTV Raps from a young age. And that put me into writing because I just wanted to write raps. I used to go and find instrumentals when I was around 13, and I would write my own rhymes and record my own mixtapes. Me and my crew were making mixtapes, writing original lyrics over other people's beats, and that's what really got me into writing," he had said.

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A post shared by Jay Sean (@jaysean)

But for his parents, music wasn't a traditional occupation and they encouraged him to focus on his studies. Someone who excelled in academics, he won himself a scholarship at the Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry to train as a doctor only to drop out in 2003 to pursue a career in singing. To kick start his career in music, he chose Jay Sean as his stage name. "Jay comes from my last name Jhooti and my grandmother used to call me ‘Shaan’ which is where Sean comes from," he revealed.

The poster boy of the UK's Asian underground scene

Life took a beautiful turn when one of his tracks One Minute fell into the hands of producer Rishi Rich, thus giving birth to the Rishi Rich project in 2003 that had Sean, Juggy D and Rich as its prime members. The trio exploded on the UK's Asian Underground scene with Dance With You, a chartbuster that made it to Top 20 hit. Such was the mania that even Virgin Records couldn't miss the chance of signing a £1 million deal with this rising star. Under Relentless Records, Jay belted out his first solo outing Eyes On You. The peppy beats and his velvety voice cast its spell on music lovers across the globe, making the song a Top 10 hit among all the Indian artists.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8uztB31eUw

Global hip-hop icon

2004 came with the promise of Jay Sean being the next big thing. Each of his singles made the right noise in the music circle and soon he was hailed as the Asian sensation. His experimental and creative fusion of contemporary R&B and Indian music hit the right chord with music lovers across the globe. But his fallout with Virgin Records gave him time to self-reflect and use it to write songs. After a hiatus of almost two years, Sean returned with a bang with his second album My Own Way, which debuted at number six in the UK with its hit song Ride It smashing records. He soon found himself nominated at MOBO Award for Best UK Male and Best R&B/Soul among music heavyweights like Chris Brown, Estelle and Ne-Yo, which spoke volumes about him gaining popularity as a household sensation.

Champion of diversity

In 2008, Jay scripted history when he bagged a deal with Cash Money Records becoming the first South Asian singer and among few Indian artists to achieve the feat. The accomplishment opened an opportunity for the world to witness South Asian culture from close quarters. The deal bagged Jay his first collaboration with Lil Wayne, and the single became an instant hit zooming its way up the Billboard. This made him the first Asian British artiste to top the Hot 100 since Freddie Mercury of Queen in 1980.

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A post shared by Jay Sean (@jaysean)

"Me getting to this point provides me the opportunity to show people what our culture is all about. Our community is just as or even more so musically inclined and now is our time to show the world that we are just like everybody else. The fact that my grandfather and my father had to hide their identity to assimilate into culture was unjust. They did not think that such barriers could be broken in their lifetime. I take it very seriously that I have one shot to make it – not just for myself, but my community," he said in an interview.

Smashing stereotypes

After winning three awards including Best Male, Best Urban Act and Best Album at the 2009 UK Asian Music Awards, he performed with Akon at the Grammy same year. Such was the craze around this British Asian sensation that he found himself on Number 35 in Billboard's Hot 100 Artists of the year. The year came to a stunning end for the artiste as he became the first South Asian to perform at the Madison Square Garden in New York. For the next few years, he belted out hits after hits with The Mistress, Do You Remember and All or Nothing. It was in 2015 that he reunited with Rishi Rich and Juggy D to restart the Rishi Rich project with their new single Freak.

In 2020, Jay resurfaced with a bang with Eyes on You 2 which reached No 1 on BBC Asian Chart. While his journey has had its shares of ups and downs, like any Asian, he too felt stereotyped in the initial years of his career. "I have experienced stereotypes and lack of equal opportunities. The reason being that certain people don’t look at you as an artist but take the whole package into mind and put you in a box. I experienced it a lot but I also took it upon myself to show people very early on in my career that there was no stopping me. When they would label me as a specific type of artiste, I would break out of that box and do something completely different every single time. It’s something I really love doing. Hopping onto different genres and expanding on what I can do as an artiste," he said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idMkbS6LWA8

And now he is back with yet again foot tapping number Heartless, which coincides with his 20th year in the music industry. "I feel so blessed when I think about completing 20 years in this music industry. That is such a blessing because now everything is so disposable," he said.

Giving back

When he is not busy making music, he lends support to organisations and causes that resonate with him. For someone who was training to be a doctor in his graduation, medical field is closer to his heart. In 2004 and 2009, he supported the Aga Khan Foundation in the charity event Partnership Walk and Run by performing in Regent's Park. Around the same time, he performed at Justin Timberlake's charity concert to raise funds for the Shriners Hospital for Children, thus raising more than $9 million along with artistes like Taylor Swift and Alicia Key. In 2012, he joined Child Hunger Ends Here campaign, and recorded a song Here's Hope to create awareness.

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Indian African cricketer Keshav Maharaj is bowling people over with his spin magic

(October 21, 2023) 2018 - the South African cricket team found themselves in a tough spot during their second test match against Sri Lanka in Colombo. While it looked like the game was slipping away from the Proteas, a young player, Keshav Maharaj, emerged as the hero, overshadowing even the cricketing stars like Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada. The cricketer achieved something incredible that day, taking a career-best nine wickets in a single innings. His outstanding performance helped South Africa turn the tide in the match. What made the cricketer's performance even more special was the way he bamboozled the Sri Lankan batsmen with his precise deliveries and clever flight variations. It was a day when he etched his name in the cricketing history books, setting several new milestones. Cut to, 2023 and this cricketer - who is now the vice-captain of the South African team - is still managing to surprise everyone with his exceptional spinning talent. A key player for his team, which has won big against both Sri Lanka and Australia in the ongoing World Cup, Keshav has already taken five wickets for his team thus far. "For now," the cricketer said during an interview, "My entire

ptional spinning talent. A key player for his team, which has won big against both Sri Lanka and Australia in the ongoing World Cup, Keshav has already taken five wickets for his team thus far. "For now," the cricketer said during an interview, "My entire focus is to make sure that my team lifts the cup. The South African team has never lifted the cup, and this time we have a great side and can actually make history."

Connected to his roots

Keshav was born on the beach in Durban to his parents, Atmanand and Kanchan Mala. His family originally came from Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, and they moved to Durban in 1874. While he never visited the country growing up, Keshav has always been quite proud of his connection to India. In fact, it was only about a week back that the cricket fans noticed a unique symbol on Keshav's gear. His bat bore the 'Om' sign, a sacred symbol in Hinduism.

Cricketer | Keshav Maharaj | Global Indian

Growing up Keshav was a part of various school teams, however by the time he was 14 he had made up his mind that he was going to be a cricketer. Just two years from there, the player made his debut in first-class cricket for KwaZulu-Natal and was soon promoted to the Dolphins team in 2009–10. "It started from a very early age. I was playing provincial cricket during the time when no normal sport was played in an abnormal society," the cricketer's father said during an interview, "We belonged to the South African Council of Sport (SACOS), which was the governing body of the non-racial sport. During my playing days, my son used to accompany me to matches. At times when I was not playing I used to work with him in very limited facilities. His first experience in cricket obviously started at home in my backyard. We spent hours together. When unification took place it was easier to find better facilities to enhance the sessions. He was very enthusiastic and he would wait for me to get back from work and take him to the nets. He would bowl left-arm seam in training as he practiced. And being a former gloveman I kept to him."

His reputation as a left-arm orthodox spinner quickly caught the attention of South African cricket's top bosses. They selected him to join the South Africa A team when Bangladesh A toured in 2010-11. This was the moment that changed everything for Keshav. During the tour of Bangladesh, The Global Indian shone by taking 13 wickets in the two four-day matches against the Bangladesh Cricket Board Academy. He even opened the bowling in a T20 match and took an impressive 4 wickets for just 12 runs in four overs.

Cricketer | Keshav Maharaj | Global Indian

A family man, Keshav is known for spending much of his time at home with his lovely German Shepherd, Rio. "He is basically a grounded family person," his father said, "His first love is cricket of course, but when at home you will find him in the kitchen. He is an awesome cook and has a food blog. He also has a strong religious focus."

A long innings

After spending several years playing for local clubs and teams, Keshav had his international cricket debut in a test series against Australia in 2016. Against all expectations, he played a crucial part in the downfall of the Australian batting lineup in the first innings by taking three vital wickets. Notably, he was the first specialist spinner to make his Test debut in Perth. his performance left several wondering why the cricketer couldn't make it to the national team earlier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yqmoSPmsco

Talking about the moment the family received the news of Keshav's debut in Australia, his father shared, "The moment when Cricket South Africa came asking for Keshav's passport to send him with the national team for the tour of Australia, we actually broke down. And to see him on television playing for the nation brought tears in our eyes and to be fair the call came in at the right time. Keshav had worked really hard and deserved the opportunity to take a shot at the international level," he said.

About two years later, during a match with Sri Lanka, the cricketer recorded the best-ever bowling figures in a Test innings by a South African in Asia. Interestingly, Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane became Keshav's 100th wicket in 2019. "I'm trying to do the best I can, wherever I go in the world, whether it's international, domestic, club cricket, or just some local Sunday league that you go play. I'm very fortunate and blessed to be able to do something I love and see other parts of the world, so if I can do well, I'll get many more opportunities to do that," shared the cricketer, who was named the South African T20 captain in 2021.

Cricketer | Keshav Maharaj | Global Indian

Currently, the vice-captain is on a mission to win the cup for his team. However, he also wishes to see more spinners playing for the Proteas. "I just want to keep doing well because it'll mean I get to do what I love, travel the world, and maybe, hopefully, help young kids back home pick up spin bowling," the cricketer said during a recent interview.

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How Ram Charan went from a shoe shop to mentoring Fortune 500 leaders

(March 22, 2024) "I grew up in India where my family owned a shoe shop. It was there that I learned the basics of business, developed the ability to diagnose even the most complex business situations, and honed my work ethic. These foundational skills have been instrumental in my journey to success," shared Indian origin business consultant Ram Charan in one of his posts. Dubbed as ‘the most influential consultant alive’ by Fortune Magazine, the management guru has coached top companies, CEOs, and boards throughout his illustrious career spanning more than 46 years. Before embarking on his consulting journey, Ram had worked as assistant Professor at Harvard Business School and Northwestern University, and later as a Professor at Boston University. Over the years, Ram has established himself as one of the most sought-after business speakers, addressing distinguished audiences worldwide. His words of advice are globally recognised as relevant, practical, actionable, and entertaining at the same time. Our lives are a summation of our experiences. Every experience we have ever been through impacts us. Ram Charan Acknowledging his legacy, Pune-based, MIT World Peace University (WPU), recently inaugurated the Ramcharan School of Leadership (RSoL), with the aim to nurture the next generation

cknowledging his legacy, Pune-based, MIT World Peace University (WPU), recently inaugurated the Ramcharan School of Leadership (RSoL), with the aim to nurture the next generation of corporate leaders by imparting the wisdom and insights of the corporate guru.

[caption id="attachment_50205" align="aligncenter" width="615"] Indian Guru | Ram Charan | Global Indian Ram Charan[/caption]

Flying high

Last year, the American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines acknowledged the 85-year-old management guru for being one of their frequent fliers. “People who know me know my routine. I travel light and focus on my clients. I am not concerned with material matters,” he remarked.

Thanking the three airlines he added:

Now I have found out I travelled over 10 million miles with American Airlines. Over 7 million miles on Delta. Countless more miles with other airlines. This is a reflection of my commitment to my clients and the trust they place in me. Here is what I have to say — I am ready to fly more and keep working!

Impressive associations

Ram Charan’s consultancy portfolio boasts a diverse array of clients, including industry giants like Toyota, Bank of America, Key Bank, ICICI Bank, Aditya Birla Group, Novartis, Max Group, Yildiz Holdings, UST Global, Fast Retailing (Uniqlo), Humana, and Matrix amongst others.

He has imparted business lessons to emerging business leaders through in-house executive education programs. Several leaders coached by him have ascended to CEO positions.

Recognised for his exceptional teaching prowess, Ram Charan has won several awards and holds the title of the Distinguished Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources, USA. Additionally, he has contributed his expertise to the Blue-Ribbon Commission on Corporate Governance, a committee established by The New York Stock Exchange, and the National Association of Securities Dealers to improve the effectiveness of corporate audit committees.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nQtSUMVMME

Ram has garnered thousands of admirers along the way, including Jack Welch, former CEO of GE, who praised the business consultant in an interview, saying, “He has the rare ability to distil the meaningful from the meaningless and transfer it to others in a quiet, effective way.”

The appreciation is mutual. In a recent post, Ram Charan emphasised, ‘reflection is the cornerstone of growth for both life and businesses. “Embrace each failure as a learning opportunity,” he advised, adding, “Leaders like Jack Welch exemplified this by mastering the basics and focusing on solutions, not just problems."

Regular business reviews aren't just evaluations. You have the chance to build culture and confidence.

Ram Charan

Man with a wealth of business insights

Ram Charan has shared his business insights through writing, coaching and business consultancy. With over 30 books under his belt, his works have reached more than four million readers across a spectrum of languages. Three of his books secured positions on the list of Wall Street Journal’s bestsellers. His collaborative book with former Honeywell CEO Larry Bossidy titled ‘Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done’ spent over 150 weeks on the prestigious New York Times bestseller list.

A prominent figure in business insights on social media, Ram Charan also curates a monthly newsletter titled 'Ram Charan’s Corporate Advice,' offering continuous guidance and insights to his audience. His straightforward lessons, such as advice to readers like 'Prepare yourself for unforeseen challenges,' drawing parallels to the rigorous training of Olympic athletes and how ‘their confidence is a result of rigorous practice’ motivate professionals to keep on polishing their craft.

Through examples of geopolitical crises like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, U.S.-China relations, and global leadership changes, he emphasises the importance of readiness in navigating complex business landscapes. These are the kinds of tips that prompt business leaders to pause, reflect, and chart their course in their careers, every day.

Remember these two tools — preparation and practice. The more you engage in mental rehearsals for various scenarios, the more intuitive and confident you become in tackling real-world challenges. Develop a mindset that embraces uncertainty. Prepare for it with foresight and agility. This is what defines true leadership.

Ram Charan

Purpose – to help others succeed

Ram's influence on the lives of CEOs and the functioning of their companies has been deep. He is not merely seen as a consultant but as a guru and corporate sage with unparalleled access to boardrooms across the globe with lasting relationships with powerful CEOs.

The management guru maintained a hectic schedule throughout. Despite earning a substantial consulting fee, he went for the longest time without owning a car or even learning to drive, as he was constantly hopping from one flight to another across the globe.

He rarely spent more than two nights in a single city. Living a minimalist lifestyle came naturally to him, as he has always been single. Before his consultancy days, Ram Charan resided in dormitories, and before his professorship, he lived in YMCA accommodations. These modest settings were comfortable for a man driven not by personal success, but by a deeper purpose in life.

Ramcharan School of Leadership

The Ramcharan School of Leadership (RSoL) started by Pune-based MIT World Peace University (WPU) offers a diverse range of degree programs from bachelors to doctorate levels. The curriculum, designed by industry experts in collaboration with global universities, equips students with essential leadership skills for professional advancement and social impact.

[caption id="attachment_50216" align="aligncenter" width="679"] Indian Guru | Ram Charan | Global Indian Ram Charan at MIT World Peace University (WPU)[/caption]

Sharing his happiness on this development, the business guru remarked, “I have been so honoured to have a school in my name in India, where I am working to help MBAs and BBAs with their academic pursuits. I have had many interactions with students over the past few weeks. They have taught me many lessons, as I have also shared with them my experience.”

From India to USA

The business consultant comes from a hard-working family without much access to education. At a young age, he learned discipline. He used to open the family shoe shop at seven in the morning, attended to customers before his brothers came in, and then went to school, and would return directly from there to the shop at four in the evening. When there were no customers, he used to do his homework.

They still have the shoeboxes where I used to solve my Arithmetic work. That was where I learned how to diagnose a problem. I learned to work hard but I also learned that I loved business. It was this passion that fuelled my work ethic.

Ram Charan shared in one of his posts

After completing engineering at Banaras Hindu University in 1959, he worked for some time in India. His bosses recognised his business talent, and looking at his leadership skills encouraged him to develop it through further studies. This motivated the young engineer to earn an MBA and a doctorate degree as a Baker Scholar from Harvard Business School, from where he graduated with distinction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tebqr8VW1nI&t=2s

Looking at India with pride and optimism

The visionary leader is proud about the growth story of his country of origin.

India is on fire. It's going to grow in multiple ways.

Ram Charan said in an interview

“I am very bullish on India. It has a robust path to economic growth. Ever since independence, the Government has demonstrated that its apparatus can focus on achieving major milestones. India has revamped the ease of doing business and is the place where the next growth story is happening,” he remarked with optimism.

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Reading Time: 5 mins

Sustainable designer Kriti Tula is changing the ways of the fashion world

(July 9, 2022) Fashion is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, and also one of the sectors that generates tonnes of harmful waste every year. When I ask fashion designer Kriti Tula, what I can as an individual do to help reduce this waste generation, she advises, "Consume consciously. One can make a difference just by the way they shop." Connecting with Global Indian for an interview, the young sustainability champion adds, "Consumers, the key drivers of sustainability, need to be willing to slow down and pay the right price for consciously creating clothing. Bringing a change is a lot more difficult when everyone is just looking for discounts and we are all paying a heavy price to produce things cheaper and faster." [caption id="attachment_27479" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Kriti Tula, founder Doodlage[/caption] The Delhi girl, who started Doodlage in 2012, has been a vocal environmental activist and has brought forward the impact of the fashion industry on the environment. For her efforts to upcycle the waste produced by the garment industry, Kriti was recognised by the Lakme Fashion Week Gen Next Platform and won the ‘Green Wardrobe Initiative’ by HUL and Grazia Young Fashion Award. In 2012, the

ctivist and has brought forward the impact of the fashion industry on the environment. For her efforts to upcycle the waste produced by the garment industry, Kriti was recognised by the Lakme Fashion Week Gen Next Platform and won the ‘Green Wardrobe Initiative’ by HUL and Grazia Young Fashion Award. In 2012, the 33-year-old fashion designer was also one of 17 climate champions selected by the United Nations.

Socially conscious

Born and brought up in the national capital, Kriti was introduced to the concept of consuming things consciously very early in life. Coming from a middle-class family, the fashion designer says "it was just a way of life back in the day." Apart from being brilliant academically, Kriti took part in various voluntary works. "I have enjoyed volunteer work growing up - from helping out at blind schools to old age homes," says the fashion designer, adding that organising such drives is still a big part of Doodlage.

Attracted to art since her childhood, it was during her school days that Kriti was first introduced to doodling. "Growing up, I have been that kid in the art room who explored various mediums that they enjoy. That's when I started doodling, and in fact, I still try to doodle every day," shares Kriti, who pursued her under graduation in apparel designing at Pearl Academy in Delhi. "I developed an interest in designing at the age of 13. However, a lack of awareness at the time led me to fashion," shares Kriti.

Fashion designer | Kriti Tula | Global Indian

After her graduation, the youngster moved to the London College of Fashion for four years to pursue a master's in design management on a full scholarship. The fashion designer speaks very fondly of her years in London. She says, "Understanding another culture, learning from a new market and getting exposed to a different education system was a great experience. I credit a lot of my growth to these years."

Visiting various production houses at the time made Kriti think hard about the kind of wastage created by the fashion industry every year. "More than 50 percent of textile waste ends up in landfills, as there are no ways to reuse them," shares Kriti, adding, "A mix of my background growing up, being exposed to waste at export houses and just the overall culture of mass production was enough to drive me away from it. I have worked since then to educate myself about various alternatives to fast fashion, meet numerous ethical production units, and the culture that could prevail if we humanise the supply chain. I think that has been enough to motivate me to work towards it."

Making sustainability fashionable

In 2012, after earning her masters in London, Kriti decided to return to India. Having gained a global perspective on the fashion industry, Kriti shares that as a designer she was always inclined to find solutions, and Doodlage started with exactly that agenda. "We aimed to start a conversation around ways to bring circularity in fashion and raise awareness around the impact of a linear fashion model. As we were a bootstrapped firm, we decided to work with one problem at a time. I carefully curated our small supply chain," shares the 33-year-old fashion designer.

[caption id="attachment_27481" align="aligncenter" width="668"] Fashion designer | Kriti Tula | Global Indian Kriti during a field trip[/caption]

Doodlage started collecting fabric waste from factories around Delhi, which had been rejected because of minor defects but which were big enough to be stitched back together to cut more pieces. This allowed them to create limited edition collections, saving tonnes of fabric from ending up in landfills. As the company grew, Kriti found herself "more committed to building a social enterprise making sustainable clothes."

[caption id="attachment_27482" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Fashion designer | Kriti Tula | Global Indian Doodlage's collection is simple and yet quite unique[/caption]

Armed with 20 employees, the majority of Doodlage's sampling, designing, and marketing happens at the studio in Delhi where they employ local artisans. Shedding light on the production process at the fashion house, Kriti shares, "We collect factory waste, fix our material, patch panel and embroider to optimise the use of the fabric we source. We save all resources that would go into making virgin material. What we waste in our supply chain goes to NGOs to create small products like accessories and toys for kids. What is left over is recycled to make paper for our notebooks and packaging."

Long road ahead

Her sustainable fashion brand started earning profits from the first year of operations, however, Kriti expresses that every year came with a new set of challenges. "Our organic reach accounts for almost 16-20 percent of our sales. But there still is a lot to be done to make Doodlage a global brand," says the fashion designer. She has recently expanded the company's operations to Bengaluru and Jaipur, where they are looking to make recycled handloom material, using yarns that are made from shredded post-consumer garments.

[caption id="attachment_27483" align="aligncenter" width="605"] Fashion designer | Kriti Tula | Global Indian Kriti with her team[/caption]

Although the awareness about the impact of the fashion industry on the environment has grown manifold since she started her company, Kriti feels there is still a long way to go. Explaining that multiple stakeholders have to work together to bring about a larger change, the fashion designer feels that the government also needs to enforce laws to hold brands and production houses accountable for the waste created. "Solutions have to be created at the design stage using the right material and thinking about the end of the life of a garment is necessary. Also, cleaning the supply chain to pay our artisans a better wage is very important," Kriti says, as she signs off.

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Reading Time: 7 mins

From Kerala to the Met Gala: Neytt by Extraweave merges tradition with innovation

Amidst the glamour of the Met Gala 2023, one Indian brand's contribution quietly stole the limelight—the opulent, cream-coloured runway carpet stood testament to Kerala artisanship - a sustainable, custom-designed and hand-painted tribute to fashion icon Karl Lagerfield. When Sivan Santhosh, founder of Neytt by Extraweave, first heard the brief, he was doubtful. A white carpet was a very unusual request. But they got to work, taking two months to perfect the beige-toned creation, ‘made with love’ from Kerala, India. The white carpet was manufactured by Neytt and then sent to New York, where it was hand-painted by designers associated with the Met Gala. "We have worked with a company called FibreWorks, which is associated with the Gala," Sivan tells Global Indian. "The order came through them." "We are a fourth-generation, privately owned family business," Sivan says. "My great-grandfather started the business in 1917 and called it the Travancore Mats and Matting Company." Kerala had begun manufacturing coir mats, matting and floor coverings in the mid-19th century, when an Irish-born American named James Darragh set up the first factory in Alleppey in 1859. Enterprising Keralites soon caught on, with Sivan's great grandfather among them. "Extraweave was founded by my dad," he

first factory in Alleppey in 1859. Enterprising Keralites soon caught on, with Sivan's great grandfather among them. "Extraweave was founded by my dad," he says. "We went from coir foot mats to working with jute to make rugs." In 2020, Sivan and his wife founded Neytt by Extraweave, a high-end, high-fashion designer brand that works with some of the top brands in the world - apart from being a long-term supplier to IKEA (in Sweden), they have also worked with Ralph Lauren Homes, Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn.

[caption id="attachment_39278" align="aligncenter" width="648"] The Met Gala carpet, designed by Neytt by Extraweave.[/caption]

Furthering a rich family legacy

"When my father began Extraweave in the early 2000s, there were lots of challenges," says Sivan. He speaks to me from the Neytt headquarters in Alleppey, as machinery from the factory hums loudly in the background. This machinery, he says, only found its way to their manufacturing process in the early 2000s, when the imports were regularised. Before that, when his grandfather and uncles ran the business, the mats were woven by hand, or through the use of manual looms. "It was only in the 2000s that we could automate the process," Sivan explains. It also allowed them to diversify in terms of material - they went from coir to jute, sisal, water hyacinth, linen and hemp.

Although he grew up immersed in the family business, Sivan didn't graduate from high school with a plan. He decided to study computer science engineering in Vellore, going on to work for two years at a software company in Chennai. "I didn't really know what I wanted at the time," he says, in response to my look of surprise. "Engineering and medicine were the most chosen career options and since I was quite savvy with computers, I thought it would be a good idea. I did always know I would go into business at some point, though."

After two years at BNY Mellon in Chennai, Sivan felt it was time to return to the family business. "I wanted to learn how everything worked," he said. His father was clear that he should learn the business from the ground up. "I didn't believe in sitting in a chair when I don't know what's happening the floor." Sivan would interact with the workers, go to the loom and learn whatever he could from scratch. By the end of the third year, he was heading the Purchase Department.

[caption id="attachment_39279" align="aligncenter" width="549"] Sivan Santhosh and Nimisha Srinivas[/caption]

Neytt by Extraweave

After this, Sivan headed to Babson College in Boston, one of the city's top entrepreneurship schools. "I spent some time in Boston working for a startup but my wife and I had lots of ideas about what to do with the business," he explains. In early 2019, they returned to India, all set to start something of their own. "The pandemic kind of helped us," he says. "We were able to do a lot of market research and create a structure." That was the start of Neytt by Extraweave.

The company did very well, quickly. In 2016, Neytt produced a rug for the White House, for a special event during a head of state visit. They have supplied to IKEA for seven years - "We produce their rugs, floor mats, carpets and the sisal scratch mats for cats, which are among IKEA's top five most popular products worldwide," Sivan says. The products are made in Kerala and shipped to the IKEA headquarters in Sweden, from where they are distributed. They have also worked with the Taj Hotels in Andaman and Mumbai's Soho House.

The sisal story

Only two companies in India, Neytt being one of them, that work with sisal, a durable, white fibre found mostly in East Africa, which they import from countries like Tanzania and Madagascar. "It's mostly white in colour, very long, strong and durable," Sivan explains. The fibre is imported in the raw form and is converted to the yarn stage at the Neytt factory. The yarn is converted to bobbins and fed into the loom, which weaves rolls that are around five metres in width. "The machine defects are corrected by hand by our skilled artisans," he adds.

Derived from the bark of the Agave plant, which grows mainly in East Africa and also in Brazil, sisal is known for being durable and eco-friendly. In South America, the sisal tradition goes all the way back to the Aztecs and the Mayans, who, it is believed, used it to make fabrics and paper. From there, sisal cultivation spread to the Caribbean islands, Brazil and Africa.

Celebrating South India, supporting local communities

As they studied the market, they realised that traditions from North India dominates the world's perception of Indian crafts, from Jaipur rugs to Banarasi silk and Lucknow Chikankari. "There are lots of design elements and craftsmanship in the South but nobody knows about that, apart from South Indians." Celebrating South Indian design is one of their core philosophies - they use exotic, sustainable raw materials like sisal, lyocell and linen, to bring out design elements from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

In 2018, they produced a collection of custom-designed rugs that used elements from the major floods that had taken place that year. They paid tribute to the everyday, unsung heroes, who had braved adversities during the devastating floods. That design won the Elle Deco International Design Awards.

"We also did a collection on Kerala's boat races," Sivan says. For that, the design team sat down with the participants of the races, to understand what matters to them when they race. "The rhythm and synchronisation are crucial, the musical instruments and the songs they sing as they row, the instruments they use and the role that each person plays on the boat - we incorporated these elements into our designs," he explains. From the goats that walk around in Fort Kochi, its iconic doorways and window frames, to the mundu - traditional elements from Kerala's culture are an important part of Neytt's designs.

It also extends to employing locals - 98 percent of the 700-member team are from the area. Nearly 50 percent are women - "Weaving has always been a predominantly male domain, so we try to empower women through leadership roles and in traditional manufacturing roles."

When tradition meets innovation

[video width="1152" height="720" mp4="https://www.globalindian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/neyyt.mp4"][/video]

Video: Neytt

Neytt by Extraweave's ascent in the world of high-end design and manufacturing is a remarkable story of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the melding of tradition with contemporary requirements. Founded by Sivan Santhosh and his wife, the Kerala-based brand leverages the legacy of his family's involvement in the coir industry to create distinct, sustainable products that have found their place in prestigious venues, from the White House to the Met Gala. Embracing new materials and automating processes have been instrumental to their growth.

Moreover, the commitment to celebrate and preserve the lesser-known South Indian design elements and their strong community involvement, particularly towards female empowerment, underlines their vision. The story of Neytt by Extraweave attests to the endless possibilities when rich cultural heritage is combined with innovation and sustainability, and how one small family business from Kerala can make a significant mark on the global stage.

Follow Neytt by ExtraWeave, and Sivan Santhosh on Instagram.