Modernity comes together with nature and ancient architecture Arijit Bharali Design has a powerful impact on each

of our lives. Everwhere we see, there is a design to anything that has been created, whether naturally or artificially. Creativity is born from designwhich is evident in the furniture and the fabric exhibition promoted by the Apparao Galleries at the Aman hotel in Lodhi road, as a part of the India Design Forum Week. Eminent names in the fabric design industry like Kavita Bhartia, Neeru Kumar, Madhu Subrhamayam and others have attempted to explore design in The Earth Seed, with the metaphor of the womb of the earth in art and adornment using the blue colour in the exhibition. With the surroundings having blue decorations to match the clothes and with lighting kept to a minimum, the elegance of the place matches the royal blue fabric, through which the designers have tried to show their creations in the indigo colour which was a colour, both for the royalty and the commoners since the ancient times. The motifs and natural designs on the kurtas, skirts, dresses are showcased in various shades of blue, with a cool elegance and sophistication matching the colour. However, inspite of the simplistic and elegant designs, the dresses have a regularity in them and thus cannot be differentiated from one designer to another. The blouse made from paper and fibre, by designer Surekha, is however an unusual addition, taking one away from the regularity in the blue designs. The accessories with the garments, uses blue stones and gems with silver chains which matches the dresses. On the other hand, Indian culture and nature have been recreated at the furniture exhibition by the brother-sister duo, Vikram and Divya Goel with their label Viya, and Mughal Pop by Mozez Singh Dezignz. Brass being a key element, Viya has showcased the natural elements like the five-petaled lotus in the form of a coffee and a cocktail table, and stools. The palm tree is evident in the brass screens, with intricate palm leaf detailing forming the screen. The designers have also taken inspirations from Indian architecture common in the 1950s (Art Deco), and ancient Indian architecture, coupled with Indian motifs (India Modern). The antelope and gazelle can almost be visualized springing out through the Zambezi and the Kilimanjaro side table legs. Mughal architecture, scenes through Mughal history and their culture is evident in the Mughal Pop by Mozez Singh. The designer has tried to tell viewers an anecdote on a Mughal ruler, through unique names of furniture like Murmurs in the Zenana, Babur Hunts a Tiger, The Lotus from Shalimar etc. The Mughal culture of using Jali work, marble on his designs had been inspired from Mughal architecture like the Red Fort, mosques in Lahore etc. With the use of modern contemporary designs, semi precious stones, the entire collection is a mix between modernity and Mughal times.