Abhilasha Sethia
What are your feelings like as The India Story makes its physical comeback?
Gratitude. I think the one feeling that overwhelms all others is a sense of gratitude for being able to come back with an actual physical event after a very difficult period of the pandemic.
Of course very excited to be on site again, to feel the energy of the set-up, to once again be able to put together the event that we all look forward to.
There is immense joy and happiness when I look at what all we are being able to accomplish despite the hurdles of these times. The whole team together shares so much positivity that one does look forward to doing more!
What’s different this year?
Between 2019 and now we have seen an explosion of talents in so many areas — be it fashion or food or music or lifestyle and we have tried to incorporate them in this year’s curation. So one will meet and experience newer talents and also see how the established brands and artists have rediscovered and reinvented themselves.
We have also tried to create something unique in every section so one gets the chance to explore different sensory experiences. We have tried to redefine food this TIS. Every section leads to a wonderful gastronomic journey that one can look forward to.
For instance, we have many more jewellers and some who are coming to The India Story for the first time. The lifestyle section is also very promising with a compactness that will reach out to everybody.
What are you looking forward to the most?
To be honest, I am looking forward to the human element of interaction. Although we have celebrated festivals and occasions but to see the joy in children’s faces, hear laughter across the food court, see people enjoying shopping, loving the food, music and performances — this is what I have missed so much and look forward to the most!
India Story this year is going to be about...
Human connections.
Swarup Dutta, scenographer
Take us through the layout this year. How challenging was it to do the scenography of an event during the pandemic?
The unpredictability around has certainly been a challenge. This has taken quite a toll on creative businesses. The pandemic has opened too many fronts of challenge in the design space and it feels wonderful to be back to be able to reconnect after this gap! This has been the foremost thing that I am looking forward to in this edition. The ability of a physical event to forge actual connections, renew human relations is going to be so meaningful especially after this period of isolation that we have all gone through. This is the mainstay of my focus this time.
#Throwback TIS
What’s the highlight?
Celebrating our heritage is always a highlight. Of course, this time Anju Modi’s fashion showcase will bring it out beautifully. Then there is Narayan Sinha’s special sculpture, which talks about connecting to our roots and our memories.
Two wonderfully talented young people — Raihan R Vadra and Viraj Khanna — will showcase their photography and sculpture work in this edition. It is so heartening to be able to host their work with us. The works are celebratory and unique. It is something I would definitely urge visitors to look out for.
Sustaining the local is also a big part of the story this year. The sustainability of local businesses, healthy ways of living has allowed us to evolve with a holistic approach, which has translated into the introduction of a new property in TIS — the Farmer’s Market.
Spiritual well-being has become so important for all of us. Social isolation has created voids and vacuum where only a sense of well-being can help!
Home has become an integral focus of our lives as we have spent more time than ever before at home so improvements here have taken up a big place!
India Story this year is going to be...
Soulful and holistic!
Sadhana Agarwal
Madhu Neotia, managing trustee, Neotia Arts Trust, has told us that you were instrumental in The India Story happening in the first place. Tell us about what you thought about the property when you came to know about it...
When I first heard of the project The India Story — a Neotia Arts Trust initiative — from Madhu to bring in artists and fashion designers from all over India to display their talent and expertise, I thought Swabhumi was a perfect venue. The concept was to bring in best of products that were ‘Made in India’. Swabhumi has a wabi-sabi aesthetic which gave interesting space to add installations by various artists, an unusual multi-level food court and entertainment area, venues to display fashion and lifestyle products.
How has it evolved over the years?
Over the years this show has attracted many designers and artists to display their products in this show. Now this show has a carnival effect.
What is the USP?
The India Story presents the best of designers and artisans in a very stylish way. Each designer is personally selected by the team. Visitors look forward to their shopping experience from the best of Indian designers from all over the country. People of Kolkata know that Neotia Arts Trust will present their best show. A venue like Swabhumi provides many zones covering something of interest to all ages. The open space of Swabhumi is also a great destination to enjoy the onset of winter and festive season with good food and music.
What were your suggestions this year?
I personally have been involved in logistic side of the show. I have been advising on the practical side of managing the pressures of creating such a vast show. Sometimes also advising on the new zones which can be created and also reaching out to new participants to make the show more interesting.
What is your message for the whole team as they come back after a year?
I am sure the show will be a great success. This gap of one year has made people hungry for good time and good shopping. Exhibitors are also keen to display their products and sell to their best. I wish the whole team guaranteed success for their efforts in putting up The India Story with full enthusiasm.
More about it
PARTY STARTER BY SPUNKY
1. TASUVURE
2. ONA
3. YOUR SILQ
4. CROSS A LINE
5. MINI SONDHI
6. NANDITA BIST
7. NAYANTARA
8. RÉ NAO
9. SUMMER SOMEWHERE
10. ALTER EGO INDIA
11. LEISURE LOOM
12. STUDIO RIGU
13. LABEL FROW
14. SUBHASHINII
15. BURROW
16. DAGDAI
17. ROSHE
18. HUSTLE CULTURE
19. LITTLE STARS
20. YOUGLOWNAILS
21. ZEVALRY
22. CUORE CO
23. PAPA DONT PREACH BY SHUBHIKA
24. ZOHRA
25. mindU Health
FOOD COURT
1. WKC (WEDESI KULCHA CO.)
2. Blue Tokai Roasters
3. Dosa Coffee
4. Basil
5. Paprika
6. Little Pleasures
7. The Glass onion gourmet
8. Mon Petite
9. The Conclave
10. Uno Pizzeria
11. The Orient
12. The Kitchenette X Evabrew
13. Sonar Tori Chaat
14. Inox
15. The Yellow Straw
16. Chivas Bar
17. Sippin'
18. Tea Junction
NGOs
Ektara and Dakshini Prayash
LIFESTYLE
1. Nicobar
2. IKKIS
3. Spacio,Three Sixty - The Leather Life
4. Fun/ctional
5. Arttd’inox
6. paperdom
7. Ritu Kumar Home & Living
8. Afterlife Projects
9. Kaunteya Tableware
10. Baarique
11. The Bling Edit
12. Raihan R Vadra
13. Beej
14. The silver story
15. Chisel Arts | Fine Furniture
16. The House of Ganges
17. VIDUSHIE SHRIYA KANDOI
18. Diva Riche
19. WIX & WAX ~ Candles for You
20. Nitara
21. Viraj Khanna