GLOBAL MEETS LOCAL

A modern Indian home is an expression of a person who is a global citizen but is equally rooted in the Indian tradition, says Sonali Rastogi

Amodern Indian home must do away with ornate and over-the-top choices. The overall presentation of objects should be in such a manner that even though they may be from diverse genres and styles, they should almost have a “conversation” in the space they sit in, and not dominate each other. That is the golden rule followed by Sonali Rastogi, Founder Partner of design firm, Morphogenesis. She recently authored a monograph ‘Morphogenesis: The Indian Perspective, The Global Context’ A home to me should and always have a way of reflecting the personality of the inhabitant. To me as a designer, what’s really interesting is to try and understand ‘what is a modern Indian?’ A modern Indian is someone who is global, but is also deeply rooted in the Indian tradition. It is this complexity of personality which when well expressed, results in a suitable home. Modern Indian home decor is one that is not specific to, or coming out of a certain tradition only or a certain region only, because modern Indians see themselves as an active component of a global population. Even if all the objects are Indian, the stylistic nuances are global. For example looking at an open plan kitchen-diner, it’s the norm in the most advanced western cultures. At the same time it is very regional as Indians have always eaten in or just outside to their kitchens. Another interesting example is the day beds and jhulas, which are very much part of Gujarati culture. While we have traditional modes of using this furniture, the expression today can take on a contemporary flavour and make them look like thoroughly modern objects.