India’s diversity of arts and crafts, traditions and folklore is a testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage. Emerging from different corners of the country.
India’s diversity of arts and crafts, traditions and folklore is a testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage. Emerging from different corners of the country, they employ various methods and techniques, harnessing the skills and expertise of artisans to create unique and distinct pieces.
Jai Prakash Lakhiwal, an acclaimed miniaturist who played an important role in preserving and spreading the rich heritage of miniature art. He was inspired by his father who had taken up painting as a hobby while working full time.
Today, he is the recipient of several awards including Delhi State Award (1996), National Award (1998) and Padma Shri (2016). His skillful creations adorn the walls of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the office of the First Gentleman, Hyderabad House, the Supreme Court and the Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum, to name a few, one of his most famous works. notable being the 20,000 square foot painting in the Anandpur Sahib Museum. of Sikh history.
The limited edition ‘Quila’ sink features an intricate painting that Jai Prakash created exclusively for Kohler. Here, art blends seamlessly with utility, creating a functional object that effortlessly doubles as a work of art.
“India has probably the greatest tradition of arts and crafts, so we thought it was time to really invest now to pay homage to Indian traditions. The Quila is a beautiful product, one of a kind , and certainly very different from what people expect to see in a bathroom,” said Salil Sadanandan, president, Kohler, South Asia, Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.
From the start, Kohler immersed himself in an extensive process, which included conducting a 10-day workshop with leading Indian folk artists. A detailed briefing was given to each artist, resulting in this collaboration with the artist Padma Shri and the choice to go for the traditional art of miniature paintings.
The artwork, which is essentially created on a two-dimensional medium, had to be carefully translated into a three-dimensional object and this was achieved through an elaborate process, to create a bespoke functional element for your bath space.
“We scanned these paintings and converted them into lithographs which were transferred onto the ceramic surface. It’s all about craftsmanship and precision, without any automation,” says Anand Asinkar, Lead Industrial designer – Kohler India Studio.
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