Ghadai- the Kumbhars of Kutch, KHAMIR, 2015: An annual exhibition on the 7000 year old pottery tradition of Kachchh and the community of Kumbhars, showcased the history, culture and intricacies of the craft.
Ghadai Auction, Hermes, Mumbai,
Ghadai Auction, Hermes, Mumbai, 2015: As part of the Design and Research team at KHAMIR, traditional pottery pieces were identified and designed to be commissioned at the Hermes store in Mumbai. The event brought together potters from all the clusters to make the traditional products representing their own villages. Eighty percent of the generated income went back to the potters, which helped them both on moral and monetary grounds.
Living Lightly, IGNCA, New Delhi
Living Lightly, IGNCA, New Delhi, 2016: An exhibition on the tangibles and intangibles of a Maldhari life, the pastoral communities of Kutch, narrated the lifestyle and material culture in detail. As a design consultant and retail partner with organizers and KHAMIR, a Kutch based NGO, range of souvenir products inspired from the attributes of a Maldhari life and their animal breeds were designed and showcased in the retail exhibition.
Kachchh cattle breeds: A range of traditional kutchi breeds of cow, buffalo, sheep and goat. A detailed study on the salient features and physical characteristic of each of the breed helped in achieving more realistic replicas.
In the task, a Ganesh idol maker named Kaalu was trained and employed at Dehaati. The project ended up adding skill of working with clay to the artisan who had only worked with plaster of paris in the past. His moulding and sculpting skills added an unmatched grace to the range of animals.
Bagh Bakri Board game:
Known by different names like Aadu Puli aatam in Tamil Nadu, Huli Gatta in Karnataka, Puli Joodam in Andhra Pradesh and Bagh Chaal in Nepal, this board game was traditionally played in various parts of India.
Inspired from the stories of Rabari herders from Kachchh and their struggle to keep their cattle safe from wild animals, this board game is designed for collectors, curious players and visitors to the exhibition. The packaging comes with a guide book with rules and strategies to play the game.
Bowls and Dahi handi: A set of bowls with imprints of Kachchhi breeds created an identity to the exhibition theme. The bowls are made out of local terracotta clay with a layer of slip to keep them washable. Hand punched with natural black color, the motifs add a layer of playfulness.
DUSTUDIO, Auroville,
DUSTUDIO, Auroville, 2016: As a design consultant at KHAMIR, this project worked on a brief of developing architectural based pottery.
The project also involved a brief on improving the firing techniques, in collaboration with experts like Rakhee Kane, a ceramic artist from Auroville.
Bodhi Tree, Mumbai,
Bodhi Tree, Mumbai, 2016
A Mumbai based Design firm collaborated on a customized range of making clay accessories coiled and wrapped with hemp or jute. The pieces were part of their collection, ‘Clay and Jute stories’
Rapar Kiln development, KHAMIR,
Rapar Kiln development, KHAMIR, 2016: The project aimed at developing traditional updraft kilns in the village of Lodrani, where the potters were not exposed to improved firing techniques and continued to use pit fire kilns.
Anantaya, Jaipur
Anantaya, Jaipur, 2017: As part of their annual event MAHI ROJ, Dehaati customized on a range of water bottles and dahi handi.