Handmade and handwritten

92 makers: each a storyteller. 1000 crafts: passed through generations. 5000 years: hand-stitched into a quilt of stories. In this case, our quilt is a sprawling space that encompasses many painters’ brushstrokes, weavers’ warp and weft, artist’s swatch-books and collectors’ cabinets of curiosities. We’re at Nilaya Anthology, an idea that defies typology. A concept that blurs lines between a gallery and museum. This brainchild of Asian Paints is located in the commercial capital of our country, in one of its primary office complexes. You could call it a decor store, but that would be rather myopic, in my opinion. Because Pavitra Rajaram’s vision has always been far ahead of time. “Anthology is a space of experience. And consumption is only one part of it,” mentions Pavitra, the creative director at Asian Paints who has conceptualised and created Nilaya Anthology.  

We enter a rich green emerald facade into a colossal space envisioned by Rooshad Shroff, where sunroofs flood the room with golden light. It is an orangery thoughtfully landscaped by Taera Chowna with a collection of the finest bonsai. Pavitra utters the word that has been playing on my mind, but I dread stating. It’s the biggest cliche to attach to spaces like these: Luxury! “How do you say luxury without ever using that word,” grins Pavitra, her expression bordering on a partial eye roll. “In Mumbai, what is more ‘luxury’ than a garden! Hence you enter through the orangery,” she states.  

Deep hued walls in shades of wine, earth and evening skies envelope us with a circular ramp leading to an upper floor. Various pockets orient themselves around this core with objets d’art and collectibles lining tables and shelves. “The idea is to not have any barriers, physical or conceptual. You have things made in India as well as from other countries. Some of the chandeliers date to the 19th Century while others are new creations. My chandeliers are a throwback to the era when the greatest patrons of chandeliers were the Maharajas, who would order crystals and other wares from across the globe. There was no separation about when it came to homegrown and global finds, and even in our homes today, we blend these influences. So why not celebrate that without the divide between contemporary and ethnic, modern and classic?” Pavitra articulates.

From candles to cushions, from Ghana basketry to Ginori tableware, from HIDA Hidasangyo to Cassina furniture and bathware, Nilaya Anthology is a sanctuary of the handmade. The wares are crafted in collaboration with creatives, craftspeople, artisans, communities and brands from across the world. Each piece bears the name of its maker, “Because this is a place of not commerce but cultural exchange and respect,” explains Pavitra. She continues, “Our philosophy is that this is not a singular person, entity or a brand’s story. It is our collective story, from the maker to the one who makes it their own. Anthologies have great classics but it also has the stories you’re hearing for the first time. That’s our ethos.”

The space offers a cosmopolitan blend of design, featuring collaborations with renowned names like Nilufar, which makes its debut in India. Founded in 1979 by Nina Yashar, Nilufar is one of the most influential names in the design world, backed by over 40 years of Nina’s impeccable taste. Her unique curation at Nilaya Anthology will provide a valuable reference for collectors, institutions and design enthusiasts, offering a rare insight into her personal style. Alongside Nilufar, the exhibition also highlights the long-standing collaboration between Asian Paints and the acclaimed designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee. His iconic wall coverings, upholstery and exclusive artworks from The Sabyasachi Art Foundation will be showcased, offering an exclusive opportunity to experience his distinctive vision.

At Nilaya Anthology, I’m certain that even five people with different tastes will find something to connect with and make their own. You may enter the orangery, but you’ll find your own path and place, and a piece (or two) that has your heart. And you take back a small little anthology of your own — of things, ideas, imagery, emotions and words — binding fragments, moments and memories into stories anew.