Desi In Design

Desi In Design

By Sravyaa AttaluriArtsVisual ArtsDesign
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Desi In Design episodes

  • S2 E1: Kumari Nahappan on Developing a Contemporary Art Practice, Art as Ritual, and Nature as Mentor

    In this special Singapore edition of Desi in Design, Sravya Attaluri sits down with Kumari Nahappan, a Malaysian-born, Singapore-based contemporary artist celebrated for her large-scale public sculptures and multidisciplinary practice spanning painting and installation. Over three decades, Kumari has built one of Southeast Asia’s most recognisable contemporary art practices. Her works, inspired by nature, ritual, and material experimentation, have become landmarks across Singapore and beyond.


    Together, they discuss what it takes to sustain a long-term creative career, the rituals and routines that keep her grounded, and how intuition, faith, and play guide her process. Kumari also shares her approach to working with engineers and collaborators on public art, her views on upcycling and environmental responsibility, and what she’s learned from a lifetime of creating.


    Filmed in Singapore at Studio Five, Desi in Design’s studio partner and co-producer for this special episode and trailer.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
  • S1 E7 Sneha Shah on Building a Career in Fine Art, Collecting with Purpose, and Challenging Elitism in the Industry

    In this episode, Sravya Attaluri sits down with Sneha Shah, a London-based curator, art advisor, and founder of Curaty - a socially conscious art advisory focused on connecting people to meaningful art. With over a decade of experience in the art world, Sneha shares her path from studying fine art and art history to curating exhibitions and building collections for first-time buyers, institutions, and high-net-worth clients.


    Together, they explore how to enter the fine art industry, what a career in curation and art advisory actually involves, and how to start collecting art without a huge budget. Sneha also explains how funding works behind exhibitions, how the art market is structured, and offers candid insights on elitism and representation in the field.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
  • S1 E6 Hetal Vasavada on Blending Tradition with Baking, Building a Creative Career, and Honouring Heritage

    In this special Desi in Design x Desi Bakes episode, Sravya Attaluri sits down with Hetal Vasavada, a California-based baker, food writer, and cookbook author celebrated for her innovative take on Indian-inspired desserts in her newest cookbook, Desi Bakes. With a background in biochemistry and a pivot from healthcare to food, Hetal shares her journey from corporate America to becoming a full-time creative entrepreneur. Together, they explore how she infuses South Asian heritage into her bakes, the importance of community and collaboration in the food world, and the creative process behind developing her cookbook.

    Hetal also reflects on embracing mistakes, the role of baking in mental health, and the significance of preserving traditional craftsmanship through food and design. Learn how she is helping redefine representation in the culinary industry, all while staying true to her roots.


    Keywords:

    Hetal Vasavada, Milk and Cardamom, Desi Bakes, South Asian desserts, baking and mental health, Indian-inspired baking, cookbook author, MasterChef, food styling, food photography, creative entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, textiles and design, women in food, recipe development, collaboration, Gujarati heritage, representation, slow content, desi creativity, baking as self-care.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
  • S1 E5 Doaly on The Art of Movie Posters, Navigating Freelance and Finding Community
    In this episode, Sravya Attaluri sits down with Doaly, a UK-based graphic designer and digital illustrator known for his bold, conceptual storytelling approach to illustration. With over a decade of experience, Doaly shares his journey from leaving his UI/UX career to working with global brands like Marvel and Disney. Together, they discuss his creative process, the importance of cultural identity in his work, and iconic projects like the Wonder Woman poster. Doaly also reflects on balancing self-doubt, navigating licensing complexities, and his desire to create a legacy through his own comic character.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
  • S1 E4 Hashmukh Kerai on Building a Freelance Career as a Motion Graphics and 3D artist
    In this episode, Sravya Attaluri sits down with Hash, a London-based motion designer and 3D artist celebrated for his bold, colourful art that radiates fun and playfulness. With over a decade of experience, Hash shares his journey from studying engineering to carving out a career in motion design and 3D art. Together, they explore how he navigated cultural expectations, honed his design skills, and became a sought-after freelancer working with global brands. Hash also reflects on the importance of representation, his passion for personal projects, and how he’s helping to elevate South Asian creatives.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min
  • S1 E3 Nikki Kotecha on Navigating Apprenticeships, Cultural Appreciation and Becoming A Tattoo Artist
    In this episode, Sravya speaks with Nikki Kotecha, a London-based tattoo artist known for her intricate ornamental designs inspired by her South Asian heritage. Nikki shares how her journey into tattooing was sparked by her mother’s Mehendi artistry and developed through years of apprenticeship and dedication. Together, they explore her apprenticeship journey, the challenges of establishing herself in the tattoo industry, and how she embraces cultural appreciation in her work. Nikki also reflects on her creative process, her love for creating symmetrical patterns, and the importance of building meaningful client relationships to enhance the tattooing experience.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min
  • S1 E2 Murugiah on Embracing Identity and Finding a Unique Style

    In this episode, Sravya sits down with Murugiah, a British Sri Lankan multidisciplinary artist, celebrated for his vibrant and surreal creations that merge Western pop culture influences with South Asian heritage. His work spans art, design, architecture, and film, with themes of identity and duality at its core. In this episode, Murugiah shares insights on transitioning from architecture to art, navigating the creative industry, and finding a unique voice. Together, they discuss the value of personal growth, the role of agents, and his advice for aspiring creatives.


    Chapters

    00:00

    Creative Beginnings and Influences

    03:08

    Navigating Cultural Identity

    06:00

    The Journey to Finding a Unique Voice

    08:56

    Career Development and Challenges

    12:05

    Transitioning from Architecture to Art

    14:51

    Building a Portfolio and Gaining Recognition

    17:47

    The Role of Agents in an Artist's Career

    21:02

    Embracing Heritage in Art

    24:13

    Current Projects and Future Aspirations

    26:57

    Advice for Aspiring Artists

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  • S1 E1 Laxmi Hussain on Balancing Identity, Emotional Expression, and Life as a Full-Time Artist
    In this episode, Sravya Attaluri sits down with London-based painter and multidisciplinary artist Laxmi Hussain. Known for her signature use of blue, Laxmi’s work artfully blends abstract and realistic elements to explore themes of motherhood, identity, and the human body. She reflects on how her cultural roots and family memories shape her creative focus and approach to body representation. Together, they discuss the challenges of sharing deeply personal pieces, balancing commissioned work with creative freedom, and Laxmi’s belief that creativity is an innate part of human expression.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min
  • Episode 0: Welcome to Desi In Design

    Welcome to Desi In Design, a podcast that celebrates South Asian artists and designers who are redefining creativity. Hosted by award-winning artist and creative director Sravya Attaluri, this show explores the unique journeys of creatives navigating cultural expectations, building careers, and embracing self-expression.

    In this trailer, Sravya shares her inspiration for creating Desi In Design and gives a sneak peek into the candid conversations and insights you can expect from each episode. Whether you're an emerging artist, a seasoned creative, or just curious about the world of South Asian art and design, there’s something here for you.

    Tune in and join us on this journey to celebrate and amplify South Asian creativity.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2 min

About Desi In Design

From the publisher's feed

Desi In Design celebrates the journeys of South Asian artists and designers from around the world who are redefining creativity and breaking new ground. Hosted by award-winning creative director and…