studiosamayam

RAW Collaborative_design cultures 2026 the project started with a deep research of understanding pottery as kumbhar ismail bhai practices it and by building the nimbhado(kiln) with him and his community. sketches, detailed drawings and visualisation into a 1:1 prototype helped us to imagine how the installation would look. we created with what was available and constraints makes the process efficient and simple rather than using industrial methods to prototype along with the support of @nin_gohil @moksha_rh all the raw material used in the nimbhado(kiln) were transported to kolkata, making every single part of the installation genuine. the installation was also designed in between journeys within different cities and between other commitments and projects, which demanded from us lots of problem solving, transportation planning and intensive efforts to put the installation all together. the production has been made possible by our dearest friends @daraab_sa.ab , @pinto_31116 @iam_pavanradapu @aakar_br @tanvikaria @bhawna_a_ @ritu612 @raw_collaborative

RAW Collaborative_design cultures 2026 in the last days of february and march, studio samayam exhibited at the Design Cultures exhibit of @raw_collaborative along with many other wonderful designers. our installation was a representation of the nimbhado(kiln) that kumbhar ismail bhai builds to bake his clay pieces in - the origin story of the naliya lamp. during the three day event our cofounder @waves.shree was making the naliya lamps while meeting many people to share stories of kumbhar ismail bhai, lodai, kachchh and the nimbhado(kiln). handmade, without glue and custom to the individual terracotta pieces, the naliya lamp invited people to sit down, become part of the installation and converse about the nimbhado(kiln), the traditional pottery kiln of kachchh and about craft as a system. making the lamps, engaging visitors in conversations and explaining the significance of the installation allowed us to share what it means to pick up a craft mindset and sparked conversations around craft, design, sustainability, gallery spaces, exhibitions and overall the importance of work like this. @aakar_br @tanvikaria @bhawna_a_ @ritu612 @raw_collaborative

RAW Collaborative_design cultures 2026 “While the endeavour started as lone backpacking trip, I slowly realised that to bring something to life always requires people, friends, family. These closest people are the ones who one can build a genuine connection with those who support, show love and believe in what one is trying to do, change. And happiness is only valuable when it’s shared.” ~Shree Tej we met kumbhar ismail bhai in 2022, after which our relationship with him has only evolved, slowly uncovering the process of pottery, nimbhado(kiln) making and craft. the installation started in lodai, kachchh where we built the nimbhado(kiln) with ismail bhai along with his neighbours, cousins, siblings, children and grandchildren. since then, throughout our journey from transport to making and production, we have had support from our friends and family without whom this exhibition would not have happened. thank you. @_dhanu_aysh who documented the whole process of making the nimbhado(kiln). @nin_gohil and @moksha_rh who assisted us in building the first prototype of the installation and its visualisation. @sauwrow and his family who hosted us in kolkata for the duration of project and fed us with lots of love and care. @pinto_31116 , @iam_pavanradapu , @daraab_sa.ab who worked so hard on installation and de-installation of our exhibit.

Showcasing Installtion from @studiosamayam at I4 - Level 04 at @kccinkolkata . Witness a showcase of 55+ creative voices from all across the country. Discover a range of art, furniture, textile, ceramic, Installations and bespoke works. . Show open till 7.30PM . Presented in association with @aakar_br by @bhawna_a_ @ritu612 . 📸 @shreyanemani_filmphotography . #rawcollaborative #designcultures #kolkata

studio samayam presents a deconstructed articulation of kumbhar ismail bhai's kachchh's nimbhado (pottery kiln), as the narrative behind our naliya lamp. our installation is on display now until March 1st 2026 at Design Cultures Exhibition curated by @raw_collaborative you can now buy our naliya lamp and place orders at our booth I4 during the Design Cultures exhibition or DM/email/call us with your interest! ---- the nimbhado making process- now rarely practiced due to dominated use of electrical and concrete kilns- is a relatively unseen and meticulous effort that ismail bhai undertakes every time he bakes his clay. by narrating the story of kumbhar ismail bhai - one of the last full time potters in lodai, kachchh - and showcasing the beautiful design and workings of the nimbhado(kiln), we invite everyone to connect with the quiet and powerful narrative encapsulated in the naliya lamp. ---- Design Cultures - City Collabs Kolkata 27th Feb to 1st March 2026 @kccinkolkata @aakar_br @bhawna_a_ @ritu612

TO VISIT REGISTER ON . Show opens today ! Design Cultures - City Collabs Kolkata 27th Feb to 1st March 2026 @kccinkolkata . Presenting Installtion from @studiosamayam I4 - Level Four . Do not miss this showcase of 55+ creative voices from all across the country - REGISTER NOW . Show presented in association with @aakar_br by @bhawna_a_ @ritu612 . #rawcollaborative #designcultures #kolkata #design

during the @hyd.art_show many audience members engaged with our co-founder @waves.shree - what blew your mind and changed the way you look at craft during your travels in India? - how can craft be sustained and can artisans make it a business? or should craft be preserved and continued through generations? - some say when craft is taken global, the craft of it dies and it becomes business. what do you have to say about that? studio samayam continues to engage with such urgent and impactful questions and although we don't have all the answers, we are determined to understand and answer these questions gradually and meaningfully

our co-founder, @waves.shree was invited to @hyd.art_show by @annapurnamadipadiga to share the philosophy behind our first project 'thefoundededit' he highlights our designs and briefly narrates the stories behind them and the artisans without whom none of this would have been possible

A. Shree Tej brings Rooted Movements to Hyd Art 2025 - an interactive conversation exploring how craft, design, and everyday objects carry stories of place, people, and process. As co-founder of Studio Samayam, he reflects on how rooted thinking and contemporary practice come together, examining how tradition evolves into modern narratives of making. Join the conversation at Hyd Art 2025. Session timing: 21 December | 3:00–4:00 PM Tickets now live on BookMyShow & District app. 📍 EON Hyderabad | Dec 20–21 | 11 AM onwards 🎟 Tap the link in bio to book your tickets! #hydart2025 #shreetej #studiosamayam #eonhyderabad #navanaami [ a shree tej, studio samayam, rooted movements talk, craft and design india, contemporary craft india, indian design conversations, hyd art 2025, hyderabad art exhibition, art talks hyderabad, eon hyderabad events, hyderabad events december ]

reflecting on our journey of exhibiting at @dutchdesignweek was humbling and exciting. our interactions with so many people and watching our products attract many people instilled confidence in our mission as a studio. at the end of the day, realising that we were able to provide a platform for craft, people and stories has motivated us further to continue working towards creating more livelihood, respect and value for craft processes, systems and communities.

during @dutchdesignweek , many visitors spent their time reading our story cards that accompanied every product. the cards spoke about the artisans, materials, communities and intricate narratives that led to the design of each lamp. the naliya was a crowd favourite, and ironically being the first lamp that we designed we have also grown to appreciate the beauty of the texture, details and strength of the naliya - which to us reflects exactly what ismail bhai is for us - a symbol of strength to be the last practicing potter in the lodai potters craft community.

@dutchdesignweek