Karmasuthra - Celebrating the Modern Indian Woman!

At Aalayam, we showcase everyday inspirations on design, décor, cuisine, and the cornucopia of cultural eclectics. As you know, Deepa and I are constantly on the look out for brands that can be a great showcase of everything we love about all these wonderful muses. 

We recently rediscovered a jewelry brand that we wanted to showcase on Aalayam because it had the visual and cerebral appeal of a "thinking woman's" brand. In the bargain, we chanced upon a warm rendezvous with the self-made entrepreneur who is lovingly nurturing the brand like a living force and scored a glorious peek into her home, her heart and her joie de vivre!

So, presenting to you "Karmasuthra" and it's catalyst creator - Divya Thomas!

Divya Thomas - Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

Riveting, sensual, enigmatic and global in appeal, Karmasuthra Jewelry is a perfect homage to the modern Indian woman. We here at Aalayam, strongly espouse non-conformist style sensibilities, and this two part brand spotlight and artiste feature (yes - including a grand home tour) is not only a befitting ode to this new-age personal style statement, but is a veritable feast for the heart and the mind! 

Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

I meet Divya Thomas on a gorgeous Saturday morning. She welcomes me into her home for breakfast, coffee and willing perspectives on all my questions. Clad in a crisp white chikan kurta, and almost no jewelry, Divya's kohl lined eyes and ingenuous features add to her enigmatic personality.  Divya is waiting for me at the door of her home. And instantly we connect. There is no reserve or reticence..just warmth and welcome. I will wax eloquent about her home, and my sensory revelations during the home tour in the next post, but now, lets talk about her brain child - Karmasuthra.

Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

The burning question in my mind was the reason behind the name Karmasuthra. I had to get that question out of the way, so I asked Divya. Why the name Karmasuthra? Was it a bold and evocative play on words? Or did it actually speak to the essence of the brand?

To which, Divya had a straight and simple response. "The name "Karmasuthra" has a sensual appeal.. it sounds just right for the brand."

Here's how: "Karma" is the Sanskrit word for "Fate". And an allusion to "What goes around comes around". What started as a germ of an idea to launch a jewelry brand with the name "Karma", evolved into "Karmasuthra" with the inclusion of the suffix "Suthra". "Suthra" is the bind that holds things together. "Karma + Suthra, it just sounded right". 

I agree. Propitiously named, the jewelry line is indeed a confluence of the colors, textures, artifacts and curiosities, all held together with the providence of hand-crafted patterns.

Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

Then we traversed through Divya's creative process of the nurturing Karmasuthra's eye-catching product line. The bottom-line was simple: 

Loads of inspiration + Loads of Coffee, spark the conception of these one-of-a-kind pieces, born as a labor of love in Divya's workshop (workshop picture sneak peek, at the bottom of this article).

Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

Divya says "I dream up my daily dose of inspiration. There are days I wake up with a thought, an idea, and run down to the kitchen to make coffee. Then I play, with the colors, shapes, designs and textures...I have fun with the process, I feel the energy and I create!"...

This utterly joyful "reach into the soul and create" process shows! It shows in the fluid detail and nuances of Karmasuthra designs. "Whether it is the front of a necklace or the back, I want the piece to look beautiful, like it has a life of its own, a personality to remember it by" Divya elucidates.

Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

For Divya, there are no rules, no playbook, no conformist guidelines, when it comes to her passion of Karmasuthra design. She mixes and matches textures, media and material:  silver, lapiz, porcelain, beads, rightfully sourced cuspids and pincers in a glorious orgy of earthy unanimity. (Animals are not harmed for the sourcing, Karmasuthra does not obtain material sourced from endangered species, or via contraband medium)

The designs come from the creative recesses of her mind, her heart and fills her and her customers with a whole new level of confidence..to embrace their sensuality and rule the world!

The much in demand nose-pin, and the aquiline, evocative beauties, whose lives Karmasuthra has touched!

The whole process of designing the line is therapeutic for Divya. I can relate. Creating a thing of beauty can be an everyday joy. To see her customers aglow with a Karmasuthra necklace or a "jhumka" or an anklet, invigorates Divya to spread the positive energy she always derives from, and associates with, her work. 

Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

Karmasuthra jewelry is primarily handcrafted by Divya. The material is sourced from all over the world. Bold and vibrant Turkish accessories, beads from traditional African markets or Native American rosaries that come "blessed" with spiritual energy are refashioned with love and finesse in the creative zen workshop. 

Divya can most often be found immersed in her work, accompanied by soulful music (click here to listen to what Divya's currently listening to) and a glass of wine to rev up the creative process. 

Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

I asked Divya about how she communicates with her demographic (buyers and aspiring buyers), how she translates their needs into a Karmasuthra style statement. Divya has got the mix of "push" and "pull" marketing right. She says "I style individual, statement pieces for my customers, but most of the time, its the jhumka or the necklace or the anklet that is calling out..to be loved, cherished and owned". 

Divya Thomas - The creator and the nurturing force behind Karmasuthra
Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

Karmasuthra started as an avocation for Divya, and it turned into a passion that is currently dominating her creative world. So I asked Divya if she had anything to share with the DIY jewelry enthusiasts and beaders. To which Divya replied:

"Have no second thoughts, no second guesses. If you fall, dust yourself and move on. At least you tried."

Divya's workshop/hidey hole/creative space. Where the magic happens!

Look out for the evocative "Kamagni - Inspired by Fire, Lust, Love and Desire" - Karmasuthra's latest line that imbues passion in every hand crafted bead. And, watch this space for an exclusive home tour (you don't want to miss this) and a heart-to-heart with Divya Thomas..for together Divya and Karmasuthra symbolize:

A true celebration of the Modern Indian Woman.

A warm THANK YOU to Divya for letting us into her home, and sharing her refreshing and energizing perspectives with the Aalayam family!

On popular demand, Karmasuthra jewelry can be ordered via the Facebook Page of the brand.

Love,
Supriya