Design
The art of India: Four leading designers script a new hand-knotted collection for OBEETEE Carpets
SEP 13, 2024 | By Pratishtha Rana
We’ve all been stroked by the oft-occurring currents of cultural shifts. On some days, culture is a monologue with the self. On other days, it is a conversation with society. And instead of ink scripting these stories, knots and weaves become the medium and the canvas to tell many a tale for the 104-year-old OBEETEE Carpets for their new collection titled Viraasat.
A term that translates to legacy, these carpets wear a new language of India and its heritage imagined by four renowned designers Anita Dalmia, Anju Modi, Ashdeen Z. Lilaowala and Tarun Tahiliani. Rich in art and architectural hints, they lend their individual admiration for our regional design literature to each tapestry, conjuring a compelling romance of colours, threads and historical references for the carpets to become generational keepsakes.
While the art of Pichwai regales in unexpected bursts of colours and monochromes created with intricate hand-knotting, the motifs of birds, flowers and jewel tones of green, red and aubergine become synonymous to a classic Persian moodboard.
Some other designs reflect visuals of Panchvati from the tales of Ramayana, nature-bound scenes of Vrindavan and mosaics of oriental embroideries. “Viraasat is meant to be timeless, an heirloom and something that will last timelessly,” says Angelique Dhama, President, OBEETEE Carpets.
Caught in the act of an evolving identity, the carpets thus, stay grounded in their primary role to drape the floors but also rise through to convince us of its artistic strength to adorn the walls like statements. Like bold declarations of our heritage. Fun fact? The brand was originally coined by three British individuals F.H. Oakley, F.H. Bowden and J.A.L Taylor after their initials as OBEETEE (O-B-T).
