In Hyderabad, Design Democracy Showcases the Tradition and Transformation of Indian Design

The third edition of Hyderabad design festival Design Democracy balanced spectacle and substance

Over three days at HITEX exhibition centre, the third edition of Design Democracy revealed itself as more than a fair. It felt like a gathering point, a stage where design and dialogue came together. For me, it was also a journey of discovery: the sheer scale and confident polish of the event were striking, but what stayed with me were the many new names I hadn’t yet encountered — craftspeople, makers, designers and brands who together expanded my view of India’s contemporary design landscape. Rooted in tradition but unafraid of experimentation, their work felt like a window looking out to a breadth of possibility.

What impressed me most was the balance between spectacle and substance. Selections such as Precious Objects, curated by Farah Ahmed Mathias of FADD Studio, and The Gallery of Sustainability, presented by Abin Design Studio, pushed design beyond aesthetics into cultural and ecological dialogues.

The festival blurred lines — between commerce and culture, heritage and innovation — and reminded me how porous those boundaries can be. Here are a few of the ideas, encounters and impressions that stayed with me.

Pokhran Capsule Table Lamp by Anantaya

The Pokhran Capsule table lamp from Jaipur-based Anantaya takes its inspiration from the soil of Pokhran, near the India and Pakistan border. Combining terracotta, mango wood and brass, it’s crafted by traditional potters, its modernist form and minimal material palette reflecting a dialogue between heritage and contemporary design.

Vyoma Suspended by Ashni Studio

Handcrafted from sustainable banana fibre pulp and finished with natural elements like banana bark and loofah, Vyoma Suspended is a sculptural pendant designed to cast a warm, diffused glow. A statement piece that celebrates materiality and craft, it embodies Ashni Studio’s commitment to sustainable, contemporary design.

Image by Notebook Productions (Sarthak Metha)

Big Moody Almari by Ek Kalakaar

The Big Moody Almari reimagines discarded corrugated metal with sculptural curves and handcrafted fabric doors. Ornamental spheres add structure and detail, while colours and finishes can be fully customised. A collaboration between Ek Kalakaar and Abstrac Home (both from Ahmedabad), it transforms a prosaic upcycled material into a functional piece that exemplifies contemporary Indian design.

Family Daybed by Jagdish Sutar

Crafted from teak, cotton rope and pure brass, the Family daybed from Jagdish Sutar’s Objects of Legacy collection balances tradition and modernity. Its circular woven centre contrasts with the bold geometric frame, creating a striking statement piece that blends style with function — designed to foster connection and elevate family gatherings.

Tetul by Kirti Jalan Design Studio

Handcrafted with locally sourced rattan, the Tetul bench — tetul meaning ‘tamarind’ in Bengali — by Kolkata-based Kirti Jalan Design Studio, is a three-seater bench that blurs the boundaries between sculpture and design. Bold and playful, it invites multiple users to repose while its form references an ingredient that’s part of the everyday, albeit magnified.

Bello Floor Lamp by Name Place Animal Thing

The Bello floor lamp by Priyam Doshi’s Mumbai-based studio Name Place Animal Thing is the largest in his Mushroom series. Handmade by skilled women artisans, each piece is unique, and its organic sculptural form is softened by the warm, diffused glow that radiates through the entire structure.

Ceramic Wares by Olee Maatee

Crafted in-house at Olee Maatee, these handmade ceramic vessels draw on cyclical themes in nature such as fertility, renewal and transformation. Using terracotta and clay, the pieces are designed for tabletop or wall display, and highlight material tactility and the studio’s focus on indigenous craft traditions.

Drippity Bar by Scarlet Splendour

The Drippity bar, designed by Scarlet Splendour founders Ashish Bajoria and Suman Kanodia, evokes an exaggerated ooze, suspended in time. Crafted in hard-wearing nautical resin in playful hues, its fluid, tactile surface recalls a fantastical sea creature — transforming a functional object into part of a dreamlike landscape that blurs the line between furniture and art.

Ka:lay Sconce by Shailesh Rajput Studio

The Ka:lay sconce by Mumbai-based Shailesh Rajput Studio draws inspiration from the humble pea pod, its minimalist curves crafted from reinforced clay. Presented at Design Democracy within a themed space entitled Prem:Samatva (Love in Balance), the piece embodies the studio’s ethos — handcrafted, nature-inspired objects that transcend function to evoke emotion and atmosphere.

Image by PHX India

Orcus Table by Studio Avni

Part of the Samsara Cosmic Series 2.0, the Orcus Table by Mumbai-based Studio Avni is composed of cork, marble, rubber and powder-coated steel. Designed by Avni Sejpal, the piece references cosmic geometry while recontextualising industrial materials through hand-lathing techniques, balancing sustainability with bold sculptural form.

Image by SM Hadi & Prasad Khaire

Nera Dining Table and Chairs by Studio Chisel

Inspired by the Japanese technique of shou sugi ban, the Nera dining table and chairs by Studio Chisel combine reclaimed teak with charred western hemlock. Designed by the Hyderabadi studio and manufactured by hand, the pieces employ traditional joinery and incorporate subtle brass detailing.

Ceramic Vessels by Studio Vi

Based between New Delhi and Bali, Studio Vi creates ceramic vessels that pair vintage forms with contemporary interpretations. Founder Vinayak Thanvi emphasises the dialogue between old and new, producing limited editions that explore glazes such as copper red while curating objects that balance tradition, experimentation and timeless material expression.

Spire Chair by Tabula Rasa

Part of the Naga Collection, the Spire Chair by Kolkata studio Tabula Rasa is handcrafted in mahogany with geometric-patterned upholstery. Inspired by the ceremonial traditions of the Naga tribe, the design references vertical totemic forms while highlighting hand-finished construction and material detail.

Khator Khura Bar by This and That

Part of the Aagor collection, the Khator Khura bar by Ahmedabad-based This and That combines reclaimed teak, walnut, sycamore and wenge with motifs drawn from Assamese textiles. In Bodo culture, aagor signifies a motif or pattern, translated here through experimental timber inlay. Handcrafted with carved legs and concealed storage, the piece reflects the collection’s focus on materiality, weaving traditions and the adaptation of hand-spun silk motifs into wood.

Twist & Knot Chair by Viya Design

Designed by Vikram Goyal for his brand Viya, the Twist & Knot chair combines hand-worked brass with jute rope. Inspired by the traditional Indian charpoy cot, the piece employs knotting techniques in jute and coir traditions, adding a tactile, sustainable dimension to Goyal’s practice of intricate, labour-intensive craft.

Rafia Alabaster Lamp by Yasanche

Part of the Bhu Collection by Mumbai-born designer Yashesh Virkar for his brand Yasanche, the Rafia Alabaster lamp pairs a hand-woven black raffia shade with an alabaster base. Inspired by natural textures, the piece highlights artisanal processes and the collection’s focus on elemental forms and materials.