F5: Joya Nandurdikar Reveals Favorite Installations: Discover the Goddess & Pipe Organ Insights!

Joya Nandurdikar finds abundant inspiration in her native land, particularly in the ancient objects and long-forgotten methods that have survived the test of time. She views design not just as a method of self-expression but as a vital means to maintain cultural heritage, which she actively incorporates into her work. “India offers a rich array of materials, skills, and tales that seem to have no bounds,” Nandurdikar explains. “Revitalizing these traditional arts in a modern context is not only creatively satisfying but also serves to reintroduce and reinterpret them for a broader audience.”

In 2001, Nandurdikar, along with Amrita Guha, established the New Delhi-based Untitled Design, focusing on sustainable luxury. Nandurdikar promotes an interactive relationship between her team and local craftsmen, aiming to merge classic and contemporary elements within their interior design projects.

The duo extended their philosophy to the realm of products when they introduced Furgonomics in 2022, a line of custom furniture. They collaborate closely with artisans to craft unique items using marble, wood, and stone inlays. For Nandurdikar, collaboration is central to her creative process, finding joy and inspiration in the casual doodles and shared laughter during team gatherings.

These moments of shared creativity often lead to some of Nandurdikar’s most innovative and impactful ideas. She also cherishes the tranquility of her private space, where she can find grounding and embrace what she describes as “quiet joy.”

Looking ahead, Nandurdikar is keen on delving into curation. She is particularly interested in exploring the interplay between historical narratives and current societal issues. “This field intrigues me with its potential to connect me with a vast array of ideas and creative thinkers,” she remarks. “The ability to craft stories through art and evoke emotion or contemplation in an audience is immensely appealing to me.”

Today, Joya Nandurdikar joins us for Friday Five!

1. Art Installation

This installation masterfully blends contemporary sculptural forms with traditional narratives and motifs. It skillfully combines modern sculpture with Mural art, a traditional painted craft from Kerala, using materials like patinated brass and painted figures.

2. Goddess

This idol of a goddess, which I greatly revere, mirrors my identity and my potential. Bearing the name of a goddess, I embody her essence. Her force energizes my spirit and fuels all that I create. She emerges, adorned in fire and gold, symbolizing both prayer and battle, celebration, and victory.

3. On the Water

I dream of spending every evening like the one on a boat, smoothly sailing on the sacred waters of the Ganga. The gentle movements of the river and the golden dusk light reflecting on its waters nourish my soul and soothe my mind like nothing else.

4. 19th-Century Cabinet

5. Pipe Organ

 

Works by Joya Nandurdikar and Untitled Design:

Anugraha

Anugraha, a residential project in South Delhi, features flooring with intricate terrazzo work made from stone and brass, cast in-situ. This detail exemplifies fine craftsmanship, where every piece is carefully placed to create a cohesive mixture of textures, colors, and materials, making a statement that defines the space.

Katha Tarana

The main 40-foot wall in Katha Tarana’s lounge is adorned with a wooden marquetry mural from Mysore that depicts the story of Ashwakatha as a fortunate emblem, arranged in traditional attire and resembling a complex jigsaw puzzle. The central coffee table by Furgonomics, called Elemental Alchemy, also features at the space’s heart, celebrating its sculpted edges and combining sandblasted wood with jade, ceramic, and Indian sandblasted sandstone in a jigsaw-like fashion.

Abha

The entrance lobby of Abha is dominated by a striking water feature, crafted to symbolize generosity and spiritual wealth. Large stone slabs, elegantly combined with brass and silver Khadau blessed by Guruji, form the base of this feature, each element meticulously inscribed with sacred Pali script, embodying ancient wisdom.

Urban Hearth

The setting contrasts an origami light installation by Ankon Mitra with a Chilly sculpture by Subodh Kerkar, offering a striking blend of spice and lightness. The installation also incorporates Gond art by nationally acclaimed artist Venkat Shyam, part of the Craft Clusters initiative by Furgonomics, each piece adding depth and inviting reflection.

Pravaah

Despite limited natural lighting, the Kashmiri pinjrakari latticework in the basement dining room of Pravaah creates a captivating atmosphere. The intricate woodwork casts a warm glow, enhancing the space. The room features the Kriya Console by Furgonomics, a fusion of Dokra technique and monolithic materials, its design reminiscent of smoke or a soft breeze, combining functionality with sculptural beauty.