History housing heritage

How Swadesh is pushing history forward through its careful curations of Indian craft

17 Oct 2025

Within the imposing and time-honoured icon of Mumbai, Eros stands a foyer of backlit marble, with double doors of glass and handles bearing the Swadesh name. Details such as these set the tone for a heady welcome, a premonition for the carefully curated grandeur ahead. An initiative by Mrs. Nita Ambani, the brand is dedicated to showcasing the richness of Indian craftsmanship on a larger stage.

An artisan’s wonderland, a craftsman’s second home, this 19,000 sq ft store is designed to evoke a sense of wonder for all who step inside. With a vast collection of lamps, rugs, sarees, jewellery and furniture, this might be the modern equivalent of a traditional bazaar settled between the lanes of British Bombay.

Sacred spaces

Housed within a revived Art Deco theatre, the building features a striking mix of maroon and cream, echoing the historic glory of the space inside. Marble floors with inlaid patterned borders mark its boundaries, as rugs adorn the floor and occasionally the walls, all spotlit from above. Wooden furnishings bring warmth to the space, as a central glass chandelier, and metallic gold highlights bring just the right amount of drama. This store seems to extend that story of heritage and the importance of carrying forward history for future generations, a sentiment echoed by the ‘Master’s Pavilion’ on the first floor of the store, which acts like a gallery as it holds a museum style exhibition of award winning works by master artisans.

Caring for craft

Traditions are made important when held close, and this store, by Swadesh, holds dear the decades of craft it aims to honour. Be it Thikri mirror work or blue pottery, Chhau masks or the Mysore craft of rosewood inlay, this space is home to over 500 types of unique Indian crafts, sourced while working directly with over 12,000 Indian craftspeople. Encouraging the flow of these histories into the generations ahead, Swadesh hosts live demonstrations in its store, houses award-winning masterpieces and offers interior design services to provide an immersive experience. The team advises on spatial planning, bespoke furniture placement, material finishes, and the thoughtful integration of craft within interior schemes, ensuring that artisanal elements become part of a unified design story.

Swadesh’s collection encompasses a wide range of Indian artisanal techniques, including marble, bone and rosewood inlay furniture, Rajasthani miniature-painted cabinets, and soft furnishings inspired by pattu weaving. Every piece is handcrafted by artisans deeply involved in each stage of its creation. Delicate miniature paintings adorn select cabinetry, while pattu weaving brings texture and character to cushions, throws and drapery. This diverse craft vocabulary allows Swadesh to offer a cohesive collection that unites functional furniture with artistic expression. Going beyond the ordinary, this store highlights what’s important in a constantly changing world. An elegy to the varied practices of the past set within the quiet lanes of a heritage city.

Learn more about Swadesh: www.swadeshonline.com