A designer’s life revolves around seeking inspiration. The reason why they embarked on their journey was itself an inspiration in the first place. A mind-shifting idea to begin, to create, to innovate, followed by many incidents that keep the morale of the designer ignited.
Today on her birthday- Parul (designer) is excited to share about the motivations that kept her design journey kindled. She says she wishes to celebrate her inspirations today, which made her brand-‘Kabbish’ possible.
She begins to share how the craft of black pottery that she grew up watching caught her inspirational mind and never left it ever since. Kabbish – A Pot Jewellery brand, brought forward numerous avatars of the terracotta pot that we all might have heard from our grandparents but never remembered. Parul found her inspiration in those languishing terms and traditions that existed in Indian history. Her research work was such, that it felt like she has picked her design pieces from the remote areas of Uttar Pradesh. The craft culture of Azamgarh and Nizamabad, where she spent her childhood understanding her passion for the same, reflects majorly in her work. ‘Gagri’ – the first collection of Kabbish, featured some unheard and unexplored variations of the pot. Similarly, the pieces in the Surahi range have been collected by Parul from her visits through the forts, palaces, gardens, and pavilions built in the Mughal era. She says, her research discoveries leave her amazed and in awe sometimes. For instance, she had never thought, the shape of Surahi would turn out to be a marvellous revelation. Every village and wall built in the Indo- Islamic period has a unique depiction of the Surahi pot. Parul in the most exquisite manner has tried to incorporate those elements in her Jewellery. The Guldasta collection features Surahi as a flower vase painted on the walls of historic Pink City. Similarly, the Chirag collection depicts the magnificent lamps that adorned the ceilings of the Rajput- Mughal palaces. On one hand, where the Gudgudi earrings showcases, how Surahi was used in making Huqqa that made a significant part of the royal welcome tradition, Sikahar and Pyau depict the ordinary yet most vital usage of Surahi.
Parul says, to her the inspiration has come from all walks of her life. Every idea or incident that instigates her interest, she treasures it in the back of her mind. Inspiration is the very essence of a creator’s life. The mind would have never been able to create any wonders if there weren’t any inspiring encounters. Besides creating, human evolution would not have been possible, if the man did not have an urge to innovate. She adds that journey of your inspiration begins with observation. Now, the process of observing flows naturally, it’s never forced. A tiny ant to a giant elephant, if observed closely can leave you with heart-changing perspectives on life. All it requires is an intention and eye to live a meaningful and motivated life. There is a beautiful adage that says ‘Stop and smell the roses’ which mean we all must make some time from our swamped and stressed lives to appreciate and enjoy the beauty of our surroundings. Let us admire and get inspired by the daily moments. We are here for a short visit, let every experience and inspiration count.
Seema Solanki (Kanak) comes from a tourism background. She is an Art and Culture enthusiast and holds working experience in most of the sectors in Tourism, and is currently working as a Manager at the Palace Atelier, The City Palace of Jaipur.
