One door, two sartorial discoveries

The distinct worlds of Antar Agni and Toramally find a shared stage in Kolkata

12 Jun 2025

ADMIN

Standing afar on the street, Antar Agni and Toramally appear to be two distinct stores. But head closer and step inside, you’ll find the worlds of a clothing label and a footwear brand connected from within. This is Studio Absorb’s recent undertaking, where their design approach serves as a singular portal to different realms.

Nestled in Kolkata, the 878 sq ft store delves into a play of visual transitions. While Antar Agni’s space, helmed by Ujjawal Dubey, reflects a futuristic, warm tonality; Toramally led by Rahul Shastri embraces a nostalgic colonial-style essence, enhanced by layered carpets. “The store is housed in an old building with thick walls. We had to be extremely careful while carving out new openings to ensure the structural integrity remained intact,” reveals Anumeha Todi, Principal Designer at Studio Absorb.

“The store is housed in an old building with thick walls. We had to be extremely careful while carving out new openings to ensure the structural integrity remained intact” — Anumeha Todi

Inside Antar Agni; Photography by Nayan Soni

Materials guide the way

While it’s tough to put a finger on what truly enchants within the visually stimulating interiors of this store, due emphasis was made to ensure the walls stood out. In the case of Antar Agni, the use of bichali (hay traditionally used as cattle feed) crushed and mixed with paint and adhesive was applied to the walls. The surface was then ground smooth, creating a textured finish.

With Toramally, walls were hand-painted to achieve an aged, timeworn effect — an effort undertaken along with a local artist.

A warm colour palette serves as the common thread between the stores — albeit experienced differently in each. For Antar Agni, the palette washes into mushroom tones, backed by uniquely shaped racks that help break monotony. In a refreshing contrast, Toramally embodies a deep, nostalgic warmth, reinforcing its old-world charm. Similar hues extend to the ceilings, lending a sense of continuity and a continued spatial experience.

A wooden table with a leather top, and distressed hand-painted walls add texture and character to the Toramally store; Photography by Nayan Soni

Inside Toramally; Photography by Nayan Soni

Making space for details

“The challenge was to maintain the two bands’ design identities while ensuring a seamless transition between the two,” says Anumeha. “Great attention was given to the placement of framed photographs, curated and arranged thoughtfully to complement the space’s narrative,” she adds, speaking about the curated Art and Photography corner.

In Antar Agni’s space, it’s the niches that steal the spotlight, duly evidenced on the thick walls and the reception, seating, and clothing racks around them.

Despite a narrow footprint and the abundance of merchandise, dark walls, props and art, the real challenge was creating an uncluttered ambiance that makes one stay longer, while preserving its structural integrity. Custom fabric origami lights fuse an element of sculptural and artistic allure to the space, and the original mosaic flooring in the Antar Agni section makes a case for bridging futuristic aesthetics with a deep-rooted sense of time.