“In art, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can imagine.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Authenticity
Ensuring Authenticity lies at the heart of a masterpiece. At Naayaab, we take this with utmost seriousness. All works of art, will carry a ‘Certificate of Authenticity’. This certificate will include the details about the artisan, the award, the art form and the masterpiece. For any queries around this, please do reach out to us.
Philosophy
Bringing spotlight back on Traditional Indian Arts
On one hand we talk with great pride and admiration for richness of Indian culture, on the other hand, many crafts are dying as the next generations don’t see economic value in continuing the legacies, and the sector with 200 million lives engaged, is staring at consistent decline. We intend to reverse the trend.
The traditional art forms of India have birthed mesmerizing masterpieces that would captivate the most discerning art enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Yet, these treasures have remained largely undiscovered, and the maestros unsung. It is time now for the truly authentic and exquisite of our heritage to shine, and for the real heroes of our legacies to get their due. It’s time for Naayaab!
Naayaab is –
- a revival of the historic spirit of art patronage, bringing together its practitioners and connoisseurs in one space, while shifting the narrative around traditional Indian crafts – to elevate them to the top of the global art pyramid
- a reaffirmation for the artisans to continue practicing and perfecting their crafts while encouraging the next generation of artisans to take the legacy forward and ensure a sustainable future for our crafts
- a reminder for the aesthetes to look no further than Indian heritage crafts to bring a piece of living history into their lives & homes, perfected over centuries by generations of artisans
Celebrating the Maestros
In the vast universe of Indian handicrafts, some stars shine the brightest. For them, their art is ‘sadhna’ which they have been practicing and perfecting over generations. They are the real custodians of our culture and have ensured its progression over centuries, with their priceless works of art adorning palaces and public places alike.
To extend active patronage to them, to bring them out from the shadows into spotlight, to protect their vintage in the modern context, is to ensure that these traditional art forms stay relevant and travel well in the hands of the next generation of artisans – to keep our idea of a culturally vibrant India alive.
”We see ourselves as a collective of crusaders for Indian arts and crafts – our mighty quest being the preservation and promotion of this timeless and tangible cultural history which so defines ‘India’ and is in its very essence, Naayaab.
Our Team
A traveller at heart, with a perennial curiosity for life and its multiple dimensions.
An engineering and management graduate, Ajay worked in organisations like Mercedes Benz, Tata Honeywell & Hewlett Packard, where he was awarded for his many pioneering initiatives.
Having grown up in a house where art was worshipped, he imbibed a lot being surrounded by books, music and conversations in the company of acclaimed artists, musicians & sculptors. A trained tabla player, Ajay is proud of his collection of books, including some rare copies, which give appropriate company to his selection of artifacts brought from his travels across the world along with some of his prized golf trophies.
At home in nature, he measures his years by the countries explored and cultures experienced. He practices his belief in aesthetics as the physical manifestation of divinity, and is committed to building a global platform, the ‘next new’, for Indian artisans, inspiring them in their journey of creating ‘masterpieces’, while putting the spotlight back on splendor of India’s cultural grandeur.
With a discerning eye for detail and keen appreciation for the intricate beauty of traditional Indian arts & crafts, Akansha is committed to ensuring a thriving future for the country’s craft heritage. Having worked for more than 15 years in the apparel sector, she brings global design and craftsmanship sensibilities to her work. Keen to use techniques that will catalyse growth of the handicraft sector, she has deployed 3D-printing technology to prototype the intricate designs found in Indian handicraft – helping artisans at the grassroots-level better visualise the new designs that they need to create.
A post graduate from NIFT Delhi, a national award winner and an entrepreneur, Akansha is often invited by the Government of India to be part of juries and panels at art & craft festivals. She has a deep understanding and admiration of India’s multitude of crafts, their intricate processes and their contribution to India’s cultural standing, globally. She nurtures artistry, believing that true greatness unfolds with passion, patience, and dedication.
An avid learner, Akansha loves to hone her skills continuously to expand her understanding of craft processes and art history. Her other interests include trekking to high mountain passes and exploring the beauty of coral-reef systems around the world. Through Naayaab, she envisions a future where India’s master artisans, many of whom she counts among her friends, gain global acclaim; with their craftsmanship celebrated beyond borders.
