Life & Style

Near brushes with death are his métier. Defying death, his hobby. 

He has held his breath underwater for 17 minutes, not eaten for 44 days, was buried under the earth for seven days, lived inside an ice block for 63 hours, stood atop a 100-feet pillar for 35 hours and of course, levitated more than once. Regurgitating frogs, sticking rods through his arm, and whipping out cards from his gut are a few of his pastimes.  “Just watch, do not attempt,” David Blaine reminds us.

The ‘extreme magician’ has lived dangerously his whole life. 

And this American’s feats have for long been the subject of obsession for millennials worldwide, televised and marketed for greedy consumption — few can forget the tense moments when he emerged from an ice cube, shivering, completely rattled, to be immediately rushed to the hospital. [He would later admit that it took him more than a month to recover, and vowed to never attempt something as dangerous as that]. But that was a lie, for by then, a ‘modern-day Houdini’ had been born. 

Today, at the age of 51, he still lives life on the edge.  

David Blaine on fire in Brazil. (credit: National Geographic/Dan Winters)
| Photo Credit:
Dan Winters

Over the last two years, David travelled the world in search of those like him or better than him; those who skirt the line between magic and learned skill. In his latest National Geographic reality-challenge show intentionally and aptly titled Do Not Attempt, the magician once again becomes a student, in the quest for feats that defy magic as he travels across Brazil, Southeast Asia, India, the Arctic, South Africa, and Japan.

It is once again a numbers game. Over the two years of filming the show, he has kissed a king cobra for three seconds, lay covered in 59 scorpions, lit his head on fire for 53 seconds, swam under three feet of ice, jumped 59 feet from a bridge while he was on fire, and meditated with six black mambas. 

In an India exclusive interview with The Hindu, the magician recalls testing the limits of human endurance over his quest through eight countries and three continents. “[Sam Dalal’s] Swami/ Mantra, a book that changed my life as a magician, and that which led me to the idea that you can combine magic with real feats and make them even more believable, was all created in India. But going to India and meeting people and seeing them do things that the book doesn’t even mention…” he trails off, nodding in disbelief.   

Fire Ramesh and David Blaine pick up burning rope together to put on their heads. (credit: National Geographic/Aditya Kapoor)
| Photo Credit:
Aditya Kapoor

In India, there were one too many discoveries, he says. ‘Fire’ Ramesh, who David was obsessed with for a long time, lights his head on fire. “I didn’t even know that he did not use fire protectors! He just uses kerosene and water. To me, it was one of the coolest acts I have seen using fire.” Then, there is Deepak Mondal who is part of a cycling circus and jumps into a mound of broken glass, at least a 100 times a year —  “Seeing Deepak dive into broken glass, and then be perfectly fine, was so overwhelming that I actually stopped him at one point,” David recalls. 

One experience that “was over-the-top” and which he considers as “hard-core viewing” was at the Urs festival in Ajmer. “The fakirs honour the Sufi saints and show that the spirit is greater than the flesh literally by demonstrating impalements and at one point, even push their eyes out of their head. It was the craziest thing I have ever seen!” he says. While he did want to try doing it himself, his eye doctor back in New York stopped him in the nick of time. “I asked him, can I try this? He simply said, ‘you are going to degenerate your vision if you start now. They have probably worked on this for many years!’ and I said, never mind that one then,” he says laughing. 

David Blaine kisses a King Cobra on the head
| Photo Credit:
Sirachai “Shin” Arunrugstichai

David’s career is a shining testament to his incessant need to push the limits of human endurance through magic. Sure, it is a performance but it also demands extreme self-discipline. A young David’s curiosity was first piqued when he saw a magician perform on the subway. He shot to fame in 1997, with television special, David Blaine: Street Magic, that aired on ABC. In 2008, he attempted to break the Guinness World Record for breath holding. In the early 2000s, he was at his most popular, each extreme stunt better than the one before; each blow more sever than the one before.

Over a career spanning decades, is there a stunt that he thinks he should not have risked attempting? 

“The one that I think was not smart was eating glass. There are chemicals in the glass and even if you don’t cut yourself apart of rip your throat or whatever else, there are so many unknown dangers to it and I hope nobody tries it. It is very dangerous,” says David, pulling us back to the reason why he called this show, Do Not Attempt. He hopes to bring attention to the long-term effects that some of these extreme feats have on the human body.

Over the years and experiences, David’s understanding of magic and his relationship with it, has gone through many iterations. “Ultimately, the meaning of magic for me is giving people a moment of wonder, where you strip away their logic and leave them in a state of astonishment. The greatest gift as a magician is to be able to give people that feeling.”  Magicians — like PT Barnum and the vaudeville performers — historically have studied skills that are not trickery but seem impossible, and converted them into a presentation that defies sense, he adds. 

“My concept of magic has expanded from just doing simple card tricks to studying people like Harry Houdini or Hadji Ali who were able to hide a gallon of water in their stomach and bring it out like a dragon. I like to do things without big illusion props. You are the prop. You use your body, a deck of cards and simple objects to create that moment. I keep searching for more things that I can do to defy logic,” he continues.

David Blaine watches as a yogi has his head buried completely in the sand in India

The theatrics around magic too, has gone through inevitable shifts in the digital age. But David believes that it is imperative to shine a beacon of light on what is real, now more than ever. “The more AI and technology keep advancing, the more people return to the need to experience something that defies their logic in real time.”  

Does that mean he would never retire from living dangerously? David says, “I work with the masters, the best coaches and teachers who have put thousands of hours [into what they do]. They have a deep understanding of what you can endure and how you can do it. If I see something, and my heart isn’t into it, I won’t attempt it. But if it gets into my subconscious that I want to figure it out, I’ll do whatever it takes to get there.” So, the answer is a resounding ‘no’.

The six-part series David Blaine — Do Not Attempt is set to premiere on April 6, Sundays at 8pm on National Geographic Channel.

David with Karan Singh
| Photo Credit:
special arrangement

In today’s digital age, it’s easy to get caught up in sharing every little detail of our lives on social media, especially when it comes to relationships. Whether it’s a perfect vacation, an anniversary surprise, or a sweet gesture, we all love to post about the moments that make us smile. But the truth is, there are some things that are better left off our social media feeds. The happiest couples are the ones who understand the balance between sharing and keeping certain aspects of their relationship private. Let’s take a look at five things that truly content couples never feel the need to post about online, according to psychology.

Bengaluru recorded more than 35°C on March 14, 2025. Can’t bear the heat? Try shading your walls!

For a modern urban dweller, it may be unusual to see houses clustered closely together, like a herd of sheep, in older villages, hillside settlements, or medieval heritage towns. Similarly, take children to a zoo, and they may notice how several animal species sleep one over the other in a single mass. Any connection between these two phenomena — one human-made, the other an instinctive animal behaviour?

Yes, there is. Closely built structures mutually shade each other’s walls, keeping interiors cool. The shared walls act as thermal mass, further insulating the spaces inside. Similarly, animals that huddle together share body heat in colder climates while also gaining psychological comfort year-round. Ultimately, it’s all about walls and skins.

Window shading.

Walls form the largest surface area of a building, more than floors, roofs, or support structures. They define the visible elevation, accommodate windows, and house storage units, and invite varied decorations. With our frontal vision, humans tend to focus on walls more than any other building element, even though we also perceive entire interiors and external views.

What remains invisible to us is how much direct and diffused solar heat walls absorb — primarily through light but also via contact with hot air. The combined effects of convection and conduction gradually heat the building’s interiors, especially today, when setback rules prevent structures from being shaded by neighbouring buildings or trees.

Modern architecture has replaced small wooden windows, or even the tiny apertures of historic buildings, with large glass windows. While they provide expansive views, they are often covered with curtains, another modern trend! Glass, a high conductor of heat and light, turns our interiors into brightly lit, overheated spaces, akin to microwaves.

Chajjas to shade the wall.

The problem itself suggests the solution: prevent direct sunlight from reaching the outer surface of walls. Planting trees near walls is one option, but they require space, may not provide dense foliage, could obstruct views, and might damage structures with their roots.

A simpler and more effective solution is to install continuous chajjas (sunshades) along walls, even where there are no windows. Just like traditional sloping tiled roofs that extend beyond exterior walls, these sunshades block direct sunlight, living up to their name. This small addition — applicable to both new and existing buildings — can offer protection for a lifetime.

Looking for a temporary fix to beat the summer heat? If outdoor space permits, shade windows from the outside by hanging a mat or thick curtain about two feet away from the window. This setup allows shutters to remain open while ensuring constant air movement between the shade and the window, reducing heat gain.

Complex construction problems often have simple, sustainable solutions.

(The author is an ecological architect, urban designer, and heritage conservationist in Bengaluru.)

There is far more to Ugadi or Yugadi as it is also called, than the customary offerings of sweet, sour, salt, pungent, and bitter flavours, to ring in the season. The meaning behind the culture and cuisine of Ugadi traces its origins to centuries-old sacred works, says Arathi VB, a vocalist, who holds an MA in Carnatic classical music and a PhD in Sanskrit. 

“Nature is never seen as just a resource in India, but rather a manifestation of the Divine. Therefore, we celebrate every cyclic transition or change in nature as a divine blessing and observe seasonal festivals such as Ugadi, Sharan-navaratra, Deepavali, Sankranti, Ratha Saptami and Holi, as well as the purnimas and amavasyas. They rejuvenate our spirits, strengthen our social bonds and remind us of the blessings that come through Nature,” says Arathi.

Arathi, born and brought up in Bengaluru, was exposed to these areas from a tender age. “My parents were active participants and volunteers in organising satsangs bhajans, discourses, cultural and literary activities and services to the needy. I grew up in an atmosphere of learning, yearning to discover the original kavya-shastras for a direct comprehension of our desha and dharma. Sanksrit became the tool for that,” she says.

Arathi, who pursued her learning of shastras, kavyas, agamas and Vedanta from scholars such as N Ranganatha Sharma, R Ganesh, Vijayalakshmi, KS Kannan, Tyagali R Sharma, and others, says, “I initially learnt classical music from my mother and later on, from Pankaja Ramachandra and TS Satyavathi.  Historical figures such as Chanakya, Vidyaranya, Vivekananda and Shivaji, apart from kings, queens, scholars, yogis and philanthropists have inspired me to work for the cause of desha and dharma.”

Arathi spoke on the relevance of Ugadi. Excerpts:

Neem leaves, raw mangoes, flowers, and fruits, being sold on the eve of Ugadi
| Photo Credit:
MURALI KUMAR K

Most Indian festivals are rututsavs (seasonal festivals). The foremost of them is Ugadi, the pan-Indian New Year. For Indians, the conclusion of the old year as well as the beginning of the new year, must both coincide with spring celebrations.

Hence, we celebrate two Ugadis — one is the souramana–yugadi, based on the solar calendar that follows the cycle of the 27 nakshastras. The second is the Chandramana–yugadi based on the lunar calendar and follows the cycle of the bright and dark fortnights created by the waxing and waning of the moon. The two calendars supplement each other to ascertain time and astronomical predictions. 

Arathi VB
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Like most festivals, Ugadi too, has two dimensions — the vrata (vows) and utsava (celebrations). While vrata is for self-introspection, puja, charity and service to others. Utsava is about social bonding — greeting, exchanging gifts, feasting, music, dance, processions, games etc.

There are regional variations to Ugadi celebrations, though it is quite common to see the rising sun and seek blessings from Surya and Bhumi, followed by puja and the feeding of cattle. People conclude their vrata by consuming prasada. 

In southern Karnataka, a mixture of bevu-bella (neem and jaggery) is consumed. People prepare a variety of dishes as per regional customs and enjoy a Sahabhojana or feast with friends and family. Sesame and jaggery are the key ingredients in eatables or beverages, and a variety of dishes prepared with raw and ripe mangoes are quite common, all over the country.

The evenings are marked with song, dance, drama, harikatha, processions, native games and sports, and acts of charity. Panchanga–shravana or listening to the almanac being read aloud in the evening is one of the highlights of Ugadi.

In Karnataka, the day after Ugadi is celebrated as hosa-tadaku, where non-vegetarian dishes are consumed by those who wish to. In pre-colonial times, under royal patronage, Ugadi celebrations lasted for 15 days culminating with Chitra-Purnima.

Vasanthotsava was the grandest public celebration in India for ages, going on for three months at a stretch, till British rule put an end to it. Descriptions of Vasantotsava are seen in the Ramayana, Mahabharata and other classical literary works. The living traditions of folk and tribal traditions, all allude to Vasanthotsava in some way or the other. Despite restrictions and the discontinuation of royal patronage, Vasanthotsava celebrations continued with the support of common people.

Ugadi, a part of theVasanthotsava has long been a platform for fine arts. Many texts, sculptures and living traditions explicitly document this. The beautiful Vasanta-mantapa galleries in ancient temples and okali-hondas (huge stone tubs used for mass colour spraying) and sculptural depictions speak a lot about the great scale of celebrations.

Every year, poets and artists presented their latest  compositions during this season, and were duly honoured and rewarded by rulers, as well as the public. Texts such as the Kamasutram, Lalitavistara, Ratnavali and others, describe the crowds of men and women of all communities participating with joy, and the distribution of snacks and drinks for all.

Bevu-bella comprises a mixture of jaggery and neem leaves, sometimes served with grated slivers of maavu (raw mango). The sweetness of jaggery and bitterness of neem leaves represent the joys and sorrows of life. The experiences of pleasure and sadness progressively make us tougher and wiser in our journey.

Consuming a mixture of bevu-bella symbolises one’s mental preparation to face life with optimism. For both worldly success and spiritual elevation, we need a balanced mind that can keep calm, strong and cheerful amidst turbulences that come our way.

Dandamudi Sumathi Rama Mohan Rao
| Photo Credit:
Neem leaves, raw mangoes, flowers, and fruits, being sold on the eve of Ugadi

Neem leaves, raw mangoes, flowers, and fruits, being sold on the eve of Ugadi
| Photo Credit:
MURALI KUMAR K

Delhi-based fashion designer Divyam Mehta’s new collection Still Waters
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement

With deliberate, calculated precision, Delhi-based fashion designer Divyam Mehta defines the inspiration behind his newly launched summer collection Still Waters. He borrows the collection’s design language from South Asian contemporary art, tribal rugs and nautical stripes, but manipulates its grammar to create mundu skirts, oversized jackets paired with dresses, gilets, pyjama trousers, tops and layered tunics. “For the moodboard,” he explains, “we were mainly looking at modern art from Cambodia, Indonesia and South India, but these inspirations have been manipulated and edited to create something abstract, simple, bold and contemporary. Take, for example, South-Indian mundus. We made versions of that for our skirts, teaming them with tops”.

Delhi-based fashion designer Divyam Mehta 
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

Design diary

Detailing on how this experimentation extends to chiffon gilets and toys with traditional drapes or crafts, Divyam, who launched his first menswear line in 2009 and his first women’s collection at the Wills India Fashion Week in 2010, navigates the modern-meets-traditional territory through his creations. With the kantha stitch as a trusted companion, Divyam’s muse for Still Waters is the pace, poise and peace of quaint, small towns across South Asia. The collection, made over six months (from September 2024 to February 2025), was conceived in Kerala. “I visited South India last year for rejuvenation, ayurveda, and was enamoured by the beauty of the States. We, in fact, shot the campaign at Fort Kochi because it has that quintessential charm of a small town with cobbled streets, beautiful backwaters,” shares Divyam.

The collection’s campaign was shot at Fort Kochi 
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

Crafting drapes 

The edit champions textiles like silks (mulberry silk) from South India; linen, cotton and matka silk from West Bengal; and silk blends from Gujarat. Divyam’s brand has tied up with several crafts clusters across India. The label has a manufacturing-unit-cum-studio comprising a team of nealy 100 craftspersons, tailors and managers in Noida, Delhi, and an outlet in the city’s Defence Colony. “Our weaves and kantha work is from Phulia in West Bengal. We also work with some craft clusters in Kutch and Kumaon division in Uttrakhand from where we procure silk and cotton weaves,” he shares. Divyam has also used Kerala’s cotton handloom in his new collection. “We developed some textiles in collaboration with social impact organisation Save The Loom that’s been working with weavers in Kerala to revive and reform the handloom sector. Finding new idioms to traditional textiles is challenging and a process we love as a brand,” he adds.

The collection’s colour palette has a splash of pink sand, dull-black coal, ivory and sand
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

About the colours of Still Waters, one would imagine them to share some proximity with the water element; perhaps, tones of blue. But Divyam surprises with a splash of pink sand, dull-black coal, ivory, and sand. The colour blue comes through only in select denim pieces of the collection, but the turmeric yellow used as an accent in many of the garments tenders a certain edge to the edit. “We have also used ikat in this collection; the weave is procured from Hyderabad. I, however, have always incorporated kantha in most of my collections because it adds texture and weight to the silhouette,” says Divyam.

 The colour blue comes through only in select denim pieces of the collection
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

For now, Divyam is working on the brand’s autumn-winter 2025 edit, along with a collaborative project with pashmina weavers of Kashmir.

Still Waters comprises 45 styles and the garments start at ₹15,000 on divyammehta.com.

Art-inspired handpainted image on a Quirkk India ensemble
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Mudit and Surbhi Kanoria’s fashion brand, Quirkk India, may be less than a year old, but it is already making waves with its eye-catching designs. Specialising in shirts, tunics, and trousers featuring a vibrant mix of hand-painted and printed imagery, the Varanasi-based label blends geometric patterns, flora, fauna, and pop-art aesthetics. Their designs — ranging from nods to Frida Kahlo and Van Gogh to playful pet portraits with a quirky twist — have intrigued buyers, as seen at a recent exhibition by the Crafts Council of Telangana in Hyderabad.

Launched in August 2024, with its debut collection rolling out in October, Quirkk India has steadily built a presence at select fashion exhibitions across India. On their Instagram page (@quirkk.india), they describe themselves as “fashion rebels on a mission,” using bold prints and eclectic designs to break the monotony of conventional fashion.

A model sports a Quirkk India ensemble
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Quirkk India caters to a clientele that is young at heart, but its foundation is deeply rooted in the traditional crafts and handlooms of Varanasi. Each piece in their collection — whether painted or printed — is the handiwork of Fine Arts students from Banaras Hindu University.

“More than 20 students work with us part-time,” says Mudit, crediting them for adding artistic flair to their designs. One of their early successes came when hand-painted denim pieces became a bestseller, reaffirming their belief in the concept.

Their pet-themed clothing has also struck a chord with animal lovers. “We wanted to create a fashion label that resonates with people,” says Surbhi. “Many of our early customers sent in pictures of their pets, wanting personalised designs featuring their furry companions.”

In the last two months, Quirkk India has expanded into kidswear, tapping into the trend of coordinated outfits for parents and children. Their signature aesthetic is often accentuated with striking images of tigers and leopards. The colour palette, spanning aqua blues, lush greens, pinks, oranges, and lime yellow, is inspired by their travels. “Fashion labels in Bali played with unusual colours, and that sparked our creativity,” says Mudit. “We always envision the final look and collaborate closely with dyers to achieve the perfect shades,” adds Surbhi.

Mudith and Surbhi
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Beyond their signature animal, plant, and geometric motifs as well as imagery inspired by Van Gogh and Frida Kahlo, the brand has also introduced a capsule collection influenced by the Maha Kumbh, incorporating motifs like trishuls and naga sadhus.

Mudit comes from a family with a legacy in Varanasi saris and textiles. When he and Surbhi, an MBA graduate in International Finance from Symbiosis International University, Pune, decided to venture into textiles, they aimed to create something distinctive. They first launched Ganga Banaras, a label focused on heirloom-worthy Benaresi saris with contemporary colours and design aesthetics.

“A few years later, we wanted to transition into something playful and unique for a younger clientele,” says Mudit. Their decade-long experience working closely with handloom and craft clusters in Varanasi helped them refine their sourcing process, selecting silks, cottons, linens, and muls. “For our recent collection, we used a fabric blend of linen and mul, which gives it a soft texture,” he explains.

Handpainted images of animals on Quirrk India ensembles
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Though initially targeting a younger clientele, Quirkk India has found a strong customer base among those in their 30s and 40s as well. “It caters to anyone young at heart,” says Surbhi. The brand’s pricing falls between ₹6,000 and ₹10,000.

Unlike their heritage label, Ganga Banaras, which relied on in-store sales and direct buyer interactions, Quirkk India is gearing up for online expansion. “Our presence at select exhibitions has helped us market the brand both in India and abroad,” shares Mudit. “Now, our website is taking shape, and we’re ready to explore e-commerce opportunities.”

The calm amidst the bustle

J Azarudheen has been selling attar for over six years at Karumbukkadai.
| Photo Credit:
SIVA SARAVANAN S

A gleam of gold amidst the evening bustle at Karumbukkadai instantly grabs our attention. A closer look reveals ornate glass bottles arranged in lit-up rows on a table on the pavement. J Azarudheen’s attar shop is enveloped in the heady fragrance of a medley of perfumes. He stocks around 200 fragrances that he packs in slender bottles as small volumes. The 31-year-old has been in the business of perfumes for almost 15 years, having worked at the popular The Standard Bottles & Perfumes at Five Corner.

“It’s been six years since I started my own shop,” says Azarudheen. His shop is among the most popular ones in Karumbukkadai, and Azarudheen ensures his regulars come back for his fragrances by offering variety. “I source perfumes from Mumbai,” he says, adding that during the day, he supplies to around eight stores in the city, setting up his shop in the evenings.

Attar, Azarudheen explains, is simply a fragrant essential oil. “We sell it in its purest form, without any additives such as alcohol,” he explains. “Perfume sprays may last only a few hours, but attar’s fragrance will last the whole day.” Azarudheen has a lot of regular customers who swear by his fragrances. He also has a knack for picking the best fragrance that suits a customer’s personality. His favourite kind? “I use something very strong,” he laughs. “Being surrounded by fragrances all day, my body does not take on anything mild.”

A fragrant corner at the mosque

K Ibrahim has been selling attar (perfume) at Coimbatore’s Athar Jamath Masjid for over 40 years.
| Photo Credit:
Siva Saravanan S

The quaint insides of the historic Athar Jamaath Masjid is a stark contrast to the bustle of Oppanakara Street it is located in. K Ibrahim is seated at the entrance, a little beyond the gate in front of his collection of attar, watches, and books. The 81-year-old has been selling attar at the mosque for 40 years.

He has around 20 fragrances that include musk, jasmine, chocolate, marigold, and sandal. “I make trips to Chennai once in three months to buy attar,” says Ibrahim, adding that he gets them from a regular supplier at Mannadi. While he does brisk business during Ramzan, Ibrahim says that shoppers on Oppanakara Street stop by to buy from him through the year. “Deepavali and Christmas are also good seasons for me,” he explains.

Ibrahim says that a few decades ago, men would carry a wooden box lined with bottles of attar, selling it door-to-door. “They would know which customer preferred which fragrance, and would visit them regularly even before they ran out of attar,” he remembers. His favourite kind is jasmine attar, and there hasn’t been a day without him dabbing a little on himself. His wife Dunisha though, does not like perfumes. “She uses them only during he nombi,” he says. “That too very little.”

On his feet through the year

KH Sahabdeen, sells attar and clothes door to door in Coimbatore. During Ramzan, he puts up a stall near the mosque at Kottaimedu
| Photo Credit:
SIVA SARAVANAN S

K H Sahabdeen has been walking door-to-door with his precious cargo of clothes and attar for 30 years now. He sells on the move, but during Ramzan, sets up a shop near the Kottai Thareekathul Islam Shafia Jamath Mosque. Among his limited fragrances, Jannatul Firdaus stands out, which Sahabdeen says is for special occasions. He has it in a gold-trimmed bottle that he still has not taken out of its box. “I have the same fragrance for ₹100 and ₹300 as well; the price changes depending on the quality and the brand,” he explains.

Sahabdeen lives in Ukkadam, and every morning, takes a bus to Ramanathapuram with his products. “Once I get off the bus, I walk up to Papanaickenpalayam stopping at my regular customers’ houses along the way,” he says, adding that he also sells at Selvapuram, Peelamedu, and Kempatty Colony. “I walk up to six kilometres at a stretch,” he adds.

Sahabdeen has a varied collection of attar he sources from sellers in places such as Nagore, Nagapattinam, and Muscat. “I approach sellers for specific varieties my customers ask for,” he explains, adding that among his best-sellers, are chocolate, jasmine, and javvadhu. Attar, he says, makes one feel good about oneself. “After a refreshing bath, a few dabs of one’s favourite fragrance will make one feel fresh, elevating our mood and that of our surroundings,” he says.  

With rising disposable incomes, homeowners today desire unique art furniture pieces that can be a value addition to the home, going beyond utilitarian design. At India Design ID in New Delhi last month, 45 chairs were showcased, ranging from sensible to outrageous.

Charles Eames, Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier were all world-famous architects who designed furniture. India’s time has come. Where once the architect or designer aspiring to create a standout piece struggled for clientele and dedicated fabricators, today, multiple gallery sponsorships and craftsman partnerships has emerged. Many experiments become possible that reimagine crafts in contemporary materials, from luxe fabrics to Corian, also applying 3D printing and technology. This collaborative spirit characterises NY-based Indian architect’s Suchi Reddy’s teaming with Ekaya Banaras for the collection Nine.5.

Products by Industrial Playground at Design Mumbai 2024.
| Photo Credit:
Vihan Shah

Free from the constraints of mass manufacturing, practitioners have creative freedom to make statement pieces and limited editions, giving them a prime spot. Rooshad Shroff, with a practice spanning architecture, interior design and custom furniture, opened his new gallery in January at Mumbai’s Ballard Estate, for his furniture and accent lines with an emphasis on craft. Architect Ashiesh Shah’s practice extends to his Atelier range of furniture, lighting and rugs, often inspired by a project he is working on. Architects, spatial designers and even brand designers are now exploring the emotive and experiential power of furniture to transform a space. Here are five designers from across India.

Solai by Urban Workshop, Chennai

Solachi Ramanathan
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

“Two ‘M’s — memory and material — play an important role in my work,” says Solachi Ramanathan, who began her architectural practice Urban Workshop in Chennai 10 years ago. Solai, her brand launched in December 2024, is a testament to how everyday rituals can transform into objects. ‘Percolator’, a table lamp inspired by a coffee machine has an octagonal shade of wire and fabric, which deftly snaps on via a magnetic catch. Its 12-faceted lamp base of mahogany is painted in gradations such as green to yellow, purple to lavender, a nod to Impressionism. Ramanathan’s interest in touch-sensitive features has found its way in the lamp as a tiny diamond-shaped brass touch button.

Solai console made of Indian mahogany. Price: ₹57,000 upwards
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

Her love affair with mahogany began when a guitar factory approached her to design furniture with the hardwood. ‘Console’, a table, is light in appearance with a bevelled edge that makes the 60mm top appear deceptively thin. Her fascination for structure and minimalism is evident in the ‘Ananya’ table, which has a slim inset drawer. The splayed side supports were inspired by her yoga instructor’s teaching her a balanced posture during pregnancy. Ramanathan’s human-centric orientation using sparse materials exploring their tactile nature sums up her central concern: “I like to discover the essence of things.”

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Industrial Playground by ASDS (Ajay Shah Design Studio), Mumbai 

Ajay Shah
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

Industrial designer Ajay Shah, who designed Crossword Bookstore at Kemps Corner, Mumbai, says, “My furniture should fulfil a sense of personality and character going beyond function. I like to bring a certain atmosphere to the space with furniture — ideally happy, friendly, not serious or over-detailed.” Looking back to mid-century developments, when furniture design was poetic, flamboyant and extremely stylish, Shah says, “I’m looking at more monolithic forms and shapes, where an overall shape and colour does not come across as standard furniture.” His products have kinship with early design canons such as the Panton chair of the 1960s by progressive Danish designer Verner Panton, a one-piece chair of laminated FRP, a huge success after many trials.

Poppins side table made of fibre-reinforced plastic. Price: ₹35,000 upwards
| Photo Credit:
Vihan Shah

‘Float’ bench made of fibre-reinforced plastic and teakwood. Price: ₹1,60,000 upwards
| Photo Credit:
Vihan Shah

Shah’s ‘Float’ bench is a novel tubular form with an upward bend at one end. Made of fibreglass, using a complex pattern mould, its beauty is that joint lines are completely concealed. Its pale blue cool shade is unexpected. “When you place Float in a space, it has its own charm,” says Shah, who wants users to engage by impulse, to feel like touching the surface. ‘Poppins’, a playful-looking side table shaped like a bobbin, finds multiple functions. “It’s nice when furniture does not dictate how we should use it,” says Shah.

asdswow.com

WANAS by The Nouveau Studio, Surat 

Shrishhti Agarwal and Punit Jain

In Surat, design agency The Nouveau Studio (TNS) is a partnership between Shrishhti Agarwal and Punit Jain for brand visual design systems. Three years ago, the two found themselves drawn to design a multipurpose object — “A paper weight that could be used as a chopstick or cutlery holder,” says Agarwal. Organically, they were led to start their label WANAS — ‘we are now a store’. The duo works in aluminium, stainless steel, brass, marble, stone, wood and ceramic and even Black Manipur pottery.

Akeru chair made of teakwood and brass.
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Special arrangement

Akeru chair was about reimagining an everyday object. “Akeru in Japanese means open or empty,” explains Agarwal. The brief also became open. The teakwood chair with rosewood inlay can be many things: a piece of art; a bag holder as there are two knobs at the backrest. The limited edition (10) accent piece offers customised inlays — animals, pets, any inlay of emotional value.

WANAS stool made of hardwood.
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Special arrangement

“The design ecosystem in India has only recently started appreciating more sculptural forms,” says Agarwal. This is certainly true of WANAS’ Recreational Verbs, a totem that stacks up, giving the user optional ways to use the parts. Their WANAS stool is a by-product of this exercise: it appears like two pieces joined together, but is actually carved out of one chunk of hardwood. “It’s a ‘flip junket’ — you can flip it and use it as a side table,” she says.

wearenowastore.com

ALPHA & BETA by Studio Organon, New Delhi  

Saurabh Dakshini
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2024 Emerging Design Firm winner at India ID, Studio Organon (established in 2006) has been listed on AD100 for six consecutive years. Founder-architect Saurabh Dakshini is grounded in a practical feasible outlook. “Most of the furniture I’ve designed, revive utilitarian pieces — something I’ve used at home. They always have a backstory or a childhood memory: my grandfather’s desk, a tea cabinet.” Dakshini’s design philosophy is centred on sustainability and longevity: solid wood, quality craftsmanship, natural oil finishes instead of polymers, and environmentally friendly German adhesives. He favours simple, high-quality materials like well-seasoned American oak to create furniture that ages gracefully.

Alpha 02 Storage Box made of white ash, sapele and stained sapele. Price: ₹40,000 upwards.
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Special arrangement

Studio Organon’s collection, Alpha & Beta (launched 2021) has well-crafted pieces with hidden joinery. The desk design has two partial flip tops, helping to keep the desktop clutter-free. The rear cubby can store chargers. The drawer fronts are stained black with AIR-INK (a company that makes ink gathered out of pollutants) and later sealed with natural oil. Dakshini’s storage box is meant for all the extra stuff that doesn’t have a place — bottles, bags, and courier deliveries. The box joints along the edge display his love for wood-crafting. The container can hold A3 objects and its solid top has a designated space for an incense holder: details that affirm his natural need for organisation.

Beta 07: Desk made of oak, plywood and brass. Price: ₹1.25 lakh upwards.
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

studioorganon.org

P.O.D (Pieces of Desire) by Studio Nishita Kamdar, Mumbai

Nishita Kamdar
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

Studio Nishita Kamdar was begun in 2014 and Pieces of Desire evolved as an artisan-based studio ‘challenging how we perceive functional objects of everyday use and making the mundane, extraordinary’. For founder-architect Nishita Kamdar, P.O.D had its roots in reviving objects in India that are lost, looking at: What emotions do furniture pieces evoke? From Gujarati to South Indian clients, Kamdar found a commonality — everyone loved swings. “Everything we design, sways — swings, day bed, cradle, rocker.” Over time, P.O.D has garnered a reputation ‘as the only brand that does only one thing’.

Spin two-seater swing made of teakwood, brass and rattan. Price: ₹65,000 upwards.
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Special arrangement

Swings had to be contemporary, Kamdar realised, and ‘Spin’ was the first spin-off. “Spin is our bestseller. Swings are so much fun, why don’t we also let it rotate?” This interactive piece allows a couple to rotate as well as face each other, and look out of the window. ‘Ferris’, meanwhile, is P.O.D’s first outdoor piece: teakwood is replaced with aluminium and brass with outdoor wicker (synthetic rope). “Furniture in India needs to become multipurpose,” says Kamdar, who extends this belief by attaching a table surface to a swing.

P.O.D is the winner of EDIDA awards for ‘Nest’ and IIID Awards 2019 for ‘Spin’.

www.needapod.com

Dune two-seater swing made of HDF and microtopping. Price: ₹65,000 upwards
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Special arrangement

The writer is a brand strategist with a background in design from SAIC and NID.

With its classical architecture, magnificent Buddhist pilgrimage sites, and pulsating night markets, the island town of Phuket on the Southwestern coast of Thailand is always busy with tourists.

Scores of visitors from Europe, South Asia, and Australia often travel to the island to swim, and sunbathe, but now, they are heading to Phuket to throw in a few punches.

For Eric Jason, a marketing professional from Singapore, his maiden trip to Phuket is more than relaxing at beaches in the afternoon, paragliding across the evening sky, or visiting night markets. “The first thing which struck my mind after landing in Phuket for my holidays was to experience Muay Thai (Thai boxing). This is my first time trying a martial art. Having heard about Thai boxing from some of my friends here, I thought of giving it a try,” says Eric.

Tourists at Kata beach in Phuket in Thailand.
| Photo Credit:
N. Sai Charan

A tourist enjoying water sports at Kata beach in Phuket in Thailand.
| Photo Credit:
N. Sai Charan

Eric is at Club Med Phuket, an all-inclusive beach resort at Karon in Mueang Phuket District, which offers wide-ranging entertainment activities. These include traditional Thai cooking, entry-level training in Muay Thai, wall climbing, snorkelling, music, archery, trampoline, flying trapeze, among others.

The swimming pool at Club Med Phuket, a beach resort at Karon in Phuket in Thailand.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Muay Thai, meaning ‘Art of Eight Limbs’, is a highly popular combat sport believed to have originated several centuries ago in Thailand. It involves the combined usage of fists, knees, shins and elbows for kicking, punching and striking. In recent years, the sport has grown in popularity among tourists visiting Thailand.

Meanwhile, Lewi Sydney, a 49-year-old software professional from Perth in Australia, and his family head to the Thai boxing arena at the entrance of Club Med Phuket. Muay Thai coach Seksan Chukliang, known by his nickname San, switches on Sarama, the traditional music that accompanies the pre-fight ritual. This may be a touristy space, but San takes training seriously: anyone who comes late for the practice session has to do 20 push-ups.

San teaching a trainee on punching on Thai pads at Muay Thai training arena at Club Med Phuket.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

However, San has a bright smile on his face when welcoming trainees. He has been giving entry-level training in Thai boxing to tourists at the resort for the past 15 years, apart from training professional fighters. The 50-year-old says, “I was in real combat matches on 335 occasions in my three-decade-long Thai boxing career. As a teenager, though I was poor, I never missed Muay Thai training. Now, I have a few championships to my name.”

He starts the one-hour practice session with a warm-up round for 15 minutes, which typically includes stretching, running, and shadow boxing. San counts numbers during shadow boxing to monitor the movement of fists, footwork, and elbow work of trainees.

It is tiring without being too challenging. San says he has adapted the training routine for guests. “Traditional Muay Thai practitioners undergo tiring workout sessions for several hours, sometimes a whole day, which include jogging, stretching, shadowboxing, several rounds of pad work, bag work, sparring and much more,” he says.

San teaches shadow boxing during a warm session at Club Med Phuket.
| Photo Credit:
N. Sai Charan

After the warm-up session and a short break, San calls each participant to enter the ring one at a time for pad work training. Inside the ring, the training lasts 45 minutes, during which trainees use a combination of moves using their fists, elbows, knees, and shins to kick, punch, and strike.

San first picks Lewi, who seems like a natural as he manages to land some powerful punches and kicks on San’s boxing pads, setting the bar high. Stepping out of the ring he says, “It was tiring, but I am excited to learn these techniques.”

A tourist kicking the Thai pad during Muay Thai practice session at Club Med Phuket.
| Photo Credit:
N. Sai Charan

Eric, who goes in next, highlights the difficulties. “You need a lot of energy to stay focussed otherwise you will burn out. That is what I have learnt. Instead of going to the gym and dealing with machines, learning this cultural sport gives me immense happiness,” he adds.

The writer was in Phuket on the invitation of Club Med.

Health and overall wellness are interconnected. From the food we eat to digital dependence, everything impacts our life expectancy and quality.

Participants at SOUL Festival
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

At Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, an annual wellness festival called SOUL Festival brings together influential health and wellness experts from around the world. Here are our key takeaways from the four-day retreat with actionable advice from the experts.

Gut feeling

Dr Zach Bush, a Virginia-based internal medicine and endocrine physician, and speaker at the festival, assigns your health’s responsibility to your gut. He believes in looking at chronic diseases beyond pharma and understanding the signals a person’s core energy sends their way to comprehend what the body wants — coming down to the basics and listening to the body.

Dr Zach Bush, a Virginia-based internal medicine and endocrine physician, and speaker at the festival, assigns your health’s responsibility to your gut
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Special arrangement

“The first thing I recommend is to slow down and notice what your body wants and needs and this begins with mindful eating — shopping for food, cooking or being part of the cooking process, and even meditating on eating,” says Dr Lilly-Marie Blecher, chief medical officer, Soneva, explaining Dr Zach’s philosophy. Gut health signifies your overall health. “Symptoms can include brain fog, skin conditions, fatigue, or even weakened muscle strength. Observing and responding to these signs can be a decisive step toward better health,” she says.

On a cellular level

“Cellular health is the foundation of overall health, and nurturing it requires a holistic approach that integrates lifestyle, nutrition, and mindset,” says Dr Nasha Winters, an oncology specialist, author and fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology from Colorado, who is a key speaker and participant at the wellness festival. Ice baths may be all the rage today, but they are far from a passing fad and have significant impact on health at a cellular level.

She considers ice baths, fasting and breathwork as essentials for healthy living because they create hormetic stress. She adds, “This is a type of ‘good stress’ that challenges the body and builds resilience at the cellular level. Exposure to cold stimulates mitochondrial health, enhances circulation, and reduces inflammation. Intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating gives your body time to repair and regenerate. It activates autophagy, the body’s natural cellular recycling system, which clears out damaged cells and supports mitochondrial health. Intentional breathing techniques can reduce stress, improve oxygenation, and balance the nervous system.”

Ice baths, fasting and breathwork as essentials for healthy living because they create hormetic stress
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

She advocates for these practices because they strengthen the body’s ability to adapt, repair, and thrive, all key ingredients for a longer, healthier life. For practices like ice baths that put your body in an extreme state, it is important to reach out to a medical professional before signing up, especially if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart conditions.

Prioritise emotional health

“Emotions are deeply tied to our physical health. Suppressed emotions can manifest as chronic stress, inflammation, or even illness,” says Dr Nasha. “Emotional release isn’t about erasing pain but creating space for it to move through you so it doesn’t take residence in your body.”

Take time out for emotional release 
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Special arrangement

She recommends taking the time out for emotional release by partaking in activities that allow the mind to be at ease. “Try deep breathing or vocal expressions like humming or chanting via breathwork and sound therapy… Spending time outdoors can help you feel grounded and connected, allowing for emotional release in a serene and supportive environment. Also, therapies like massages, acupuncture, or craniosacral therapy can release physical tension tied to emotional stress.”

Experts host sessions on wellness at Soneva Fushi
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

Marcel Hof, a breathwork and ice bath specialist at the festival, spoke about how simply breathing right can add immense value to life and why biofeedback and neurofeedback can be game changers. Dr Lilly encourages keeping track of your heart rate variability if you’re using one of the many fitness trackers available today. “Tools like wearables that track heart rate variability (HRV) are invaluable because HRV is an excellent indicator of your nervous system’s state — whether in fight-or-flight or rest-and-digest mode. When HRV is low, you can use breathwork or mindfulness to regain balance. Awareness itself can be a transformative tool for well-being,” she says.

Slow down

Eric Edmeads, wellness entrepreneur and author, spoke about the importance of slowing down, bridging the disconnect — the evolution gap — between what life used to look like and what it is today, and consciously building habits, even stacking them onto existing daily activities, for a better life. “Building a sustainable habit starts with relevance and realism — it has to align with your top health priorities,” Dr Lilly adds. “For instance, if posture is your focus, build habits around it rather than overwhelming yourself with a long list of goals. Next, dedicate time and space — say 40-45 days — to establish the habit and address barriers. Linking habits to existing actions is a great way to reinforce them.”

Participants enjoy a floating meal on the beach
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

Peak body performance

Jamie Wheal, author, peak performance expert and founder, Flow Genome Project  — a series of training programmes on peak performance, optimal psychology and leadership — believes in, simply put, going back to the basics. “The most impactful lifestyle changes today that are harming us include the digital narcissism and autism that we are inflicting upon ourselves and our children via lives mediated almost entirely by screens and the artificial worlds and identities within them, [along with] the transition to salt, sweet and fat, ultra-processed foods, and our collapse in functional movement and time in Nature.” According to him, disconnecting from digital aids as much as possible, especially at the beginning and end of the day, are key to ensuring your body performs well independently.

Workshops at SOUL Festival
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

“Turn off all notifications on your phone. Ensure that the first hour (tea, coffee, movement) and last hour (reading in bed, meditation, etc) of your day are phone-free. Eat real food, mostly plants, not too much, don’t waste money on supplements, spend it on clean foods instead, and finally, move your body in multi-planar — not just straight lines — functional ways, starting from your bare feet up.”