Art Nouveau (and Filter Coffee!) with Smruthi Gargi Eswar!

Aalayam signifies “a place of residence”, a confluence of ideas and inspiration. And you know that, at Aalayam, we house our musings in the vibrant world of multicultural design, culture, gastronomy and art. We have had abundant opportunities over the years to celebrate the visual and cerebral appeal of Indian culture. We have brought to you inspiring artists who revel in retelling mythos, folklore, history and culinary art in their own individualized ways…leaving their indelible impressions in this impersonal, mercantile, fickle universe. And how enriched have we been with those people. And how thankful are we that they have shared their stories with us!

I am proud to bring to you one more such artist. Smruthi Gargi Eswar.

Smurthi Gargi Eswar is the featured artist on Aalayam. Picture courtesy Ninfa Bito - Manila

Smruthi is a graphic artist, designer and modern art aficionado who is interpreting Indian mythology through her bold retelling via her series "Sister Misfortune". (Follow Smruthi and her work on https://www.facebook.com/SmruthiGargiEswar). Or check out her website smruthigargieswar.com.

I was introduced to Smruthi’s work when I chanced upon one of her graphic art pieces in a very good friend’s home. (Check this link out, I also introduced you guys to it!) I was floored by Smruthi’s bold strokes, use of color, and the visceral story telling embedded deep in the art – the limited edition artwork seemed to captivate, and draw all eyes from its pride of place in the home owner’s abode. I was fortunate enough to get introduced to Smruthi following that intimate experience with her work,  fascinated as I was with her masterful art retelling of modern mythos. And boy was I impressed.

Smruthi's art "APARNA" in Velu Shankar home in Conoor, India

Smruthi’s art adorns home, office spaces, book covers, posters and walls of school buildings! This verdant feature speaks to the versatility and seamless translation that Smruthi infuses into her work.  And it’s not surprising, how organically the art lends itself, as an expression of individuality, as a remarkable statement, in whatever she touches. Smruthi’s design and collaborative space StudioSMU is the wellspring of her ideas and her forever messaging!

Smurthi's studio and creative space

 Smruthi is, I found, down to earth, vivacious and super chill (but with sublime attention to perfection, like all artists!!), even as she is expression shades of fierce feminism. All major pluses for me, an observer of artist personalities and human nature. So I will stop gushing and admiring, and let you meet Smruthi youself! And get inside her gorgeous head.

Here goes!

Shilo Shiv Suleman collaboration Power to Women

Supriya (Su): Smruthi, I personally love mythology. Its visceral, and deep. And you seem to have captured the quintessence of Mythology perfectly in your brand! We want to pick your brain to know more about it! First of all, what got you started?? And why Mythology?

Smruthi (Sm): My interest in Mythology is a rather personal. I feel like the Hindu identity has become a very narrow one. We seem to have forgotten about the diversity even within Hinduism. This series was a way for me to reclaim mythology and study older versions (matriarchal versions) of these stories. Especially in a country where people seem to fall back on what is traditional or cultural to explain their own actions, I think it’s a good idea to understand, that what we think of as timeless stories, are in fact changed versions of earlier tellings. And these earlier tellings, most often than not, stand for very different ideologies. I am interested in these early tellings that tend to be less patriarchal and far more diverse.   

APARNA from the Sister Misfortune Series

Su: Where do you derive your daily inspiration from? What gets you started designing and handcrafting a piece of art?

Sm: It’s hard to put my inspiration to one or two things. It could be sketching a bit, listening to music or reading. Once it comes to my graphic design work at StudioSMU there is more of process. Breaking the brief down, and then letting your mind wander but still very consciously to keep putting these ideas down in visual form. Sketching these ideas and fine tuning them is usually the perfect environment for the better ideas and the final design to surface. 

But with Graphic Art projects I do nothing at all. The idea or the need to discuss something appears quite naturally and the execution as well is more fluid and does not really have process that I apply. But I can see rather clearly the my design practice is a strong influence in how I go about creating my more "artistic" work. 

Wall graphics for a TV Show on NDTV, designed by Smruthi

Su: How do you give a modern slant to traditional representations of Hindu Gods? We see your art adorning classical abodes, and rocking in a modern space as well! So tell us more!

Sm: What interests me is a culture that is living and breathing. A space where we can interact with ideas from the past and be able readdress them from our own points of reference and interest. With Sister Misfortune I am looking at the matriarchal gods from a matriarchal time, in which the woman also known as Prakrithi (nature in Sanskrit) were revered. The adaptation of the Art Nouveau style is a direct outcome of this. 

The focus on natural forms and the placing of nature over all other things. The goddesses themselves seem more like us. I wanted this role reversal as a contrast to the constant obsession for women to be more "goddess like". Woman are layered, complex and flawed. And that is how I see the goddesses too. Also in Indian mythology as with Greek mythology we can see these layers to these gods. All I am doing is letting these complexities surface in  new visual context.

Old city cave graphic series - quirky, eclectic and emphatic

Su: Can you talk to us a little bit about your design work? Do you hold the creative reins of the design, or do you let your customers decide what they would like?

Sm: With Graphic Design work there is a lot of interaction with the Client. At this point most of them come to me because they have seen my work and would like to work with me. I get many different types of clients. Some who have a clear idea about what they want, some who might need a little help getting there while some don't want the hassle of it at all and are quite willing that I take it all on. Most clients I have worked with continue to work with me over numerous projects over time and I personally find a lot of happiness in that. 

Sandbox Collective and The Humming Tree poster

Su: What are your general interests and do you mind sharing how you spend your down time?

Sm: The usual - listening to music, dancing (nothing academic), watching films, or obsessing over a series, enjoying food while avoiding cooking (which i mean to change), day dreaming and analyzing the nighttime ones... things like that.  

DioramaDesign Studio project with Thara Thomas and Nidhi Miriam Jacob Cariappa

Su: Talk to us about Sister Misfortune. What do you aspire to achieve with the series? How, in your opinion, does your art contribute to the preserving of culture? 

Sm: Personally, Sister Misfortune created a space in which I can address stuff I want to. I am hoping that it also creates a platform where we can talk about gender, religion, culture and the existence  of multiplicity in all of them. It’s not so much about preserving culture but about interacting with it. The culture by default is preserved, and kept alive through different ways people find to interact with it.  

SITA at Pimento and Studio Five Architects

Su: Has your creative entrepreneurship changed your everyday perspective - at home, at work and at play?

Sm: I don’t see my artistic work or my work as designer as separate from the rest of me. It’s not really like they influence each other because they co-exist. It’s more like they are a single unit that find different ways of expression. Having said that, yes they have influenced how I look at the world and my life. Definitely helps bring a sense of meaning into things and helps avoid an existential crisis :) 

Getting artsy at Vartur

Su: Smruthi. please talk to us about your collaborations. With Designers, Fashion Houses, Schools and other brands.

Sm: As an artist I have had a chance to collaborate with artists from many different specters. Shilo Shiv Suleman the visual artist, Avril Stormy Unger a movement and performance artist, the well known Ritu Kumar Label the fashion house. 

Avril Stormy Unger Fearless - with APARNA in the background

StudioSMU my design space, on the other hand has worked together with Nidhi Mariam Jacob Cariappa (Diorama Design), Oroon Das, Fish Eye (In Delhi) amongst others. 

Amrish Kumar, Smruthi Gargi Eswar and Ritu Kumar (L-R), Label Ritu Kumar 

These collaborations work at different levels. With Ritu Kumar Label -  I was commissioned to create 4 pieces for them, which were then used on their clothing. The miniseries is called Seasoned and is an of shoot of Sister Misfortune. Ritu Kumar Label went on to launching the series in Delhi. 

StudioSMU's collaborations with Diorama Design are more diverse. We came together on a wall painting project that was done for a government school in Vartur Bangalore and now are working together through a new set of products from SmuSHOP. SmuSHOP will shorty be releasing these products online.  

Diorama Design Studio Collaboration - its time to get real!! And make an impact.

Smruthi, that was refreshing. Like drinking a cup of hot filter coffee. And EVERYONE knows how much I love that!

Smruthi Gargi Eswar smiles for the camera as she contemplates what lies ahead in 2015. Picture courtesy Kashyap

Thank you, you have reawakened my mojo for 2015. Keep doing what you are doing - go higher, do bigger, and inspire better!! We loved having you over at Aalayam and hope you enjoyed working with us too!!! 

Aalayam is privileged to have collaborated with you.

Good luck on all your future endeavors. We stay excited to see what you come up with next.

Love,

Supriya

Reflections: 2013, The year that was... & 2014, The year that will be!

Dear Aalayam people!

Year-ends are time for reflection, for looking back, and for looking forward. Here, at Aalayam, I have the unique opportunity to not just reflect on my own journey for the past year, & look ahead on the road-map for the new year, but also share the reflections of people I have worked with in 2013, and look forward to work with in 2014!

So, here’s the much awaited year-end Reflections post – a heartfelt peek into the ruminations, plans and aspirations of seven inspirational, accomplished  and gorgeous ladies, who Aalayam has been fortunate to have been touched by. I look forward to working with many more of such artists in the future…feeling blessed that I am to be part of this amazing journey with  you! So…here goes!

Reflections: 2013, The year that was…& 2014, The year that will be!

 Supriya of Aalayam

2013 has been a year of great beginnings – the beginning of new friendships, deeper and more meaningful relationships: with you dear readers, at my home, at my work, and through Aalayam. It was serendipity that I met Divya Thomas of “Karmasuthra” to impel Aalayam’s solstice with the intriguing brand. I deepened my kinship with Lavanyaa of “Varnanggall” and continue to benefit daily from our “across the continents” soul swap. My girls started their Bharatanatyam dance lessons with Sridevi Jagannath of “Laasya”,  and had their first ever performance in front of hundreds of parents…and lovers of the Indian classical dance form. I vacationed with my girls friends in Las Vegas, thus beginning a tradition of “getting away” from the encumbrances of everyday...if just for a few days. I began my journey of supervising homework (yes, my Twins started getting homework this year!) and playing soccer mom while juggling work and blog deadlines! (Thank God for Coffee!)

In 2013, I began to forgive more…give more…do more …expect more…but also…worry more. My mantra of “Why be Average when you can be Exceptional” worked well for me…but burned everyone else around me out!

In 2014, I am looking forward to continuing the eloquent relationships Aalayam is enabling me to develop, enjoy and embrace. I am looking forward to working with Smruthi Gargi Eshwar of “Studio SMU” to bring to Aalayam the modern retelling of Indian mythology and folklore through the visual medium. I look forward to working with Kathy Gori of “Colors of Indian Cooking” to revisit my classic Indian favorite dishes through her eyes (Ok – lens!), and her flair of storytelling.  I look forward to working with  other talented artisans and entrepreneurs to tell their story in true blue Aalayam style. And of course, I look forward to continue to work with Deepa to bring to you our sincere and passionate ideas, and their modern day interpretation through the dais Aalayam has provided us.

And finally, in 2014 – I promise to forgive even more…give even more….do even more…expect even more…but only from myself. I promise to influence…not control. Plan…not worry. I promise to take more time to myself to rock in Zumba class, do more Yoga, read a mind blowing mystery novel and get dirty in the mud with my kids!

That was my soul searching soliloquy. What are your reflections for 2013? What do you look forward to in 2014?

Wishing you loads of love, luck and happiness,

Happy New Year!!

Supriya

I want to end this year and start the next one with four simple words – “Live your best life”. I am a few years away from turning forty but now is as good a time as any to take care of my mind, body and spirit- after all, living one’s best life starts with taking care of oneself. Between work, family and all other humdrum priorities that demand our constant attention it is very easy to forget ourselves. This year I am going to prioritize health and wellness. I am also going to remember to let that inner child in me come out more often – to laugh and giggle silly!

I am going to live more for the moment and not let the “what if’s” disempower me. I will remember to be thankful for all that I have. My profession affords me happiness and a greater purpose. I am also extremely fortunate to have rediscovered myself through this creative platform. Aalayam nurtures the artist in me and allows me to engage with many other incredible artists and a great partner to create beautiful inspirations.  

This year, I am also going to just stop coasting through life and push myself out of my comfort zone. I love dancing but I have always put off taking formal dance lessons. Swing, lindy hop, salsa, fox trot – there’s a whole world out there and I intend to explore that! 

So, 2014 – I am ready for you , ready to dance in the rain and ready to live my best life!

My dear Aalayam family, I wish you and your loved ones a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year- one that will allow you to live your best life as well! I will be bringing you many wholesome inspirations in the coming year and look  forward to our time together!

Cheers!
~Deepa

Divya of Karmasuthra

2013 has been quite amazing. Traveled plenty, met some amazing people, made some fabulous friends, I found some unusual and interesting components that I could incorporate in my jewelry. And I’ve made stuff and continued to make stuff that will never look the same…compared to what I’ve made in the past.

What 2014 holds in store, I don’t know, and I don’t want to know. Because I love surprises, and I just hope that they are all going to be pleasant. I prefer to go with the flow and see where it takes me. So let’s see!

Divya

Lavanyaa of Varnanggall

As we embrace the New Year all the valuable things that prevail must be celebrated and resolutions are to be made to change the rest. Surrounded by the festival lights, caught up with the bustle of daily chores I would like to slow down a bit and use this time for my professional and personal reflections.

  

Although Varnanggall started as a very small venture with very minimalist stock, it’s rejoicing to see how it’s developed, thrived and gained prominent visibility in the year 2013. It’s been an interweave of challenges, compromises, and deep emotions no matter how much you are camouflaged  by the tinsel and fairy lights, we are constrained to face the real world out there. Being in this art biz, personally it has given me that extra edge to research and learn cultures, people and lifestyles that well aligns with Varnanggall’s vision too.

In the year 2014, I would like to wake up to continued dreams, aspirations, goals – Creating a perfect balance of the whole model by emerging again with new rhythms of colors, making the entire system productive, sprouting new ideas and respiring only positive energy by weeding out all the clutter and to be humane.

I greatly thank my family, friends and mentors who have made this year so pleasant and beautiful for me by offering love, assurance and guidance!

Here’s wishing the entire Aalayam family a very happy and prosperous New Year!

Lavanyaa

Sridevi of Laasya

An interesting year to begin with..new ideas, new techniques in teaching, in summation, a feeling of heading towards a new creative horizon for the school and its teacher..

As a teacher, I explored the idea of choreographing pieces to commemorate the famous sculptures of Belur and Halebeedu..through an innovative piece called Narthisidalu sura naari (Life in sculptures)..to glow in dark concept using Bharatanatyam techniques to portray the beautiful Rangoli patterns for Basant Bahar, annual festival conducted by HumSub.. The music and rhythm section of Laasya school, under the guidance of Guru Ranganayaki Rajan, initiated a musical rendezvous, where the students sang and played Mridangam / tabla (Drums) as a way to encourage each other to get over stage fear..

Over the months, Laasya School took several student -led initiatives to improve techniques among young students age between 3 to 5 by interspersing yoga, strength training and a fun cardio routine. Summer months for Laasya is truly magical, as the students complete their Arangetrams (Formal graduation). 

After successfully completing its 18th annual with a presentation which was truly a kaleidoscope of items showcasing over 100 students  to an audience of over 500, the school feels blessed to be chosen for a Dance production for Pratham, an organization with a motto, "We believe education is the fundamental right of every child and no child should be deprived of this basic right simply because he or she does not have access to it or does not have the resources to realize his or her dreams."

Needless to say, as the artistic director of Laasya, I feel blessed and thank God for channeling my energy  to explore my creativity..

Sridevi

Smruthi Gargi Eswar is a graphic artist, painter and modern art aficionado who is interpreting Indian mythology through her bold retelling through paint, canvas and visual media. Follow Smruthi and her series "Sister Misfortune" on https://www.facebook.com/SmruthiGargiEswar

To me, my series “Sister Misfortune” seems to have an independent life of its own, carrying its weight as it explores new avenues. The series collaborated with performance artists from The Storm Factory at the first Alernational event, (an artists and performers collective based out of Bangalore). A couple of images from the series, were projected over performing contemporary dancers, bringing the goddesses out of their frames into a whole new medium. Sister Misfortune also had an outing (its second show in Mumbai) for the Art Hop event, at the Art Loft in Bandra.

My new series “Old City Cave” has also been developing simultaneously. I am still in the process of bringing it together and hope to do more of that in the New Year. In this series I am attempting to bring the lens we view old civilizations with, to view our own. To perceive our time with magic and mystery we seem to deny our selves. In the coming year, I am looking forward to my collaborated show with the Fashion House Ritu Kumar in Delhi and the Chennai Art fair that “Sister Misfortune” has been invited to.

It’s hard for me to have any real clarity over what 2014 is going to be like. My work and life seems to take its course in some independent way. So I am looking forward to it, hoping that there are going to be more pleasant surprises than not.

Smruthi

 Kathy Gori is a Hollywood screen writer and Bollywood kitchen blogger, who is reinterpreting America's perception of Indian cuisine through her culinary adventures. Read Kathy's gastronomic chronicles in http://www.thecolorsofindiancooking.com/

2013 was a year of big changes for my husband and me. Both my parents passed away and a great deal of the year (and most of the year before) was spent in caring for both of them. I am so glad we were able to be there with them for that time.

In between dealing with family business we managed to get our regular work done. My husband and I are screenwriters and though we usually write for the movies, we just finished our first TV pilot! It looks like we now have a director for it so we 're looking forward to a productive and busy new year. We'll also be starting another movie project.

I am back to my regular cooking schedule and am working on putting together a cookbook while Alan continues to take amazing pictures of all the food. I've also been asked to teach some Indian cooking classes and though I've never taught before I think that might be a lot of fun.

I'm excited to emerge from the rather dark place the last year and a half was and Alan and I are both looking forward to a busy and exciting new year.

Kathy