Voices for Local with Monisha Singh Katial

In this episode of Voices for Local, we explore the reality of Indian luxury fashion through an honest, grounded conversation with designer Seema Singh, founder of SS by Seema Singh. From a small-town upbringing in Bihar to building a luxury brand in Mumbai, Seema shares how culture, craft, and lived experience shape authentic design beyond trends, labels, and hype. She speaks about working with Indian artisans, respecting traditional textiles, and the fine balance between emotion and business in fashion. The conversation questions what “luxury” really means in India today, how authenticity often gets diluted, and why staying rooted in culture is more important than chasing global validation. This episode is for anyone interested in fashion, entrepreneurship, Indian craftsmanship, and building meaningful brands that last.

In this episode of Voices for Local, we sit down with Nachiket Barve, one of India’s most celebrated fashion designers, known for seamlessly blending heritage craftsmanship with contemporary global design. 🧵✨ What began as a curiosity for form, fabric, and culture evolved into a design philosophy rooted in authenticity, intuition, and respect for Indian artisans. From couture to costume design, Nachiket’s journey reflects a deep commitment to thoughtful fashion that empowers the wearer beyond trends. 👉 Discover how Nachiket approaches design as a dialogue between tradition and modernity👉 Learn why understanding craft, culture, and clients is at the heart of meaningful fashion👉 Explore his perspective on sustainability, timeless wardrobes, and the evolving role of technology and AI in fashion From national award–winning costume design to couture rooted in Indian identity, Nachiket shares rare insights into preserving craftsmanship while embracing innovation without losing the human soul of design. ✨ Voices for Local celebrates Indian creators who lead with purpose, creativity, and integrity. 📍Ready to rethink fashion beyond fast trends and fleeting styles? This conversation will change the way you see clothes. 💬 COMMENT: What does “timeless fashion” mean to you?

In this episode of Voices for Local, we sit down with Parthip Thyagarajan, the visionary force behind Weeding Sutra a brand that is redefining how India plans, celebrates, and preserves the magic of weddings. ✨💍What began as a simple intention to make wedding planning meaningful, stress-free, and deeply personal has evolved into a movement that empowers couples to honour tradition while embracing modern design. 👉 Dive into how Weeding Sutra thoughtfully curates every element from decor to storytelling bringing purpose and personality to each celebration👉 Get an insider look at the emotional and creative challenges of building a brand in an industry built on pressure, perfection, and sentiment👉 Explore how culture, creativity, and contemporary aesthetics seamlessly blend in the Weeding Sutra philosophy With handcrafted details, mindful rituals, and a design approach rooted in heart and authenticity, Weeding Sutra is reshaping the wedding experience for a new generation. ✨ Voices for Local continues to spotlight Indian innovators who are transforming industries with passion, originality, and vision. 📍Ready to rethink the way weddings should feel? Step into the world of Weeding Sutra where every celebration is crafted with soul. 💬 COMMENT: What’s the one wedding element your dream celebration can’t happen without?

In this episode of Voices for Local, we sit down with Shraddha Sawant, the passionate founder of Massakali, a brand dedicated to celebrating Indian handwoven sarees and empowering women entrepreneurs. 🌸✨ What started as a love for traditional textiles has grown into a movement that brings the elegance of handwoven sarees to modern wardrobes, while keeping the artistry, heritage, and craftsmanship alive. 👉 Discover how Massakali curates each saree with care, ensuring every piece tells its own unique story👉 Learn about the challenges and triumphs of building a women-led brand in a male-dominated industry👉 Explore how tradition, culture, and modern style come together in Massakali’s collections From intricate weaving techniques to the cultural significance of paithani sarees, Massakali is redefining how we wear, appreciate, and celebrate handwoven textiles. ✨ Voices for Local highlights Indian creators who are shaping industries with passion, purpose & authenticity. 📍Ready to embrace timeless elegance? Explore Massakali and bring home sarees that are truly one-of-a-kind. 💬 COMMENT: Which handwoven saree would you love to own?

In this episode of Voices for Local, we sit down with Gagan Sharma, the torchbearer of the iconic Shegaon Kachori a delicacy that began as a humble prasad and grew into one of Maharashtra’s most loved food legacies. ✨What started with a grandfather’s simple recipe in a small town has today transformed into a flavour that travels across cities, homes, and generations, carrying history, devotion, and craftsmanship in every bite. 👉 Discover how Shegaon Kachori evolved from a temple prasad to a household favourite👉 Learn about the family’s 70+ year journey of preserving authenticity through changing times👉 Get a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges, innovations, and dreams shaping its next chapter From its unique, easy-to-digest recipe to the passion that keeps the brand rooted in tradition, this is the story of food that goes beyond taste it carries emotion, culture & faith. ✨ Voices for Local celebrates Indian creators who turn heritage into timeless experiences. 📍Ready to taste the legacy? Explore the story behind Shegaon Kachori where every kachori is more than a snack… it’s tradition served warm. 💬 COMMENT: Have you ever tried Shegaon Kachori?

In this episode of Voices for Local, we sit down with Dr. Rupali Ambegaonkar, the inspiring founder of Tea Culture of the World, a brand rooted in wellness, purity, and Indian heritage. 🍃 What started as a mother’s search to heal her child transformed into a passion that birthed one of India’s most thoughtfully curated tea brands offering 80+ blends crafted to nourish mind, body & soul. 👉 Discover how Dr. Rupali transitioned from orthopedics to building a global tea movement👉 Explore how each blend is sourced and designed with wellness at its core👉 See how Tea Culture of the World is elevating India’s tea culture with luxury packaging + premium ingredients From soothing infusions for stress to energising blends for daily rituals, this is tea that tells a story one cup at a time. ✨ Voices for Local highlights Indian dreamers who reshape industries with purpose, passion & innovation. 📍Ready to sip smarter? Experience Tea Culture of the World & bring home blends inspired by tradition, crafted for today. 💬 COMMENT: What’s your daily tea ritual?

In this episode of Voices for Local, we meet Manav Danda, the passionate founders of D'Moksha a sustainable home fashion brand redefining how India decorates. From eco-friendly fabrics to empowering girl child education, this is the story of how purpose and design came together to create beauty that gives back. 👉 Discover how a couple turned their love for mindful living into a global Indian brand rooted in sustainability👉 Learn how D'Moksha’s products not only elevate homes but also fund education for young girls across India👉 From linen and hemp to recycled textiles, see how the brand is leading the way for conscious, luxurious living ✨ Voices for Local celebrates Indian entrepreneurs who dream differently the ones crafting a future where design, purpose, and impact live in perfect harmony. 📍 Ready to decorate with purpose? Explore D'Moksha and be part of a movement where every product tells a story.💬 Tell us in the comments: What does “sustainable living” mean to you?

What if a single bite could take you back in time? What if street food could become a legacy loved across generations? In this episode of Voices for Local, we meet Jasmeet Tibb, the face behind Tibbs Frankie the iconic wrap that has been winning hearts since the 1960s. From a humble food cart near Vihar Lake to a nationwide favorite, this is the story of how passion and family values turned a simple idea into a cultural phenomenon. 👉 Discover how a London-returned dreamer created a completely new category in Indian street food👉 Learn how the commitment to honesty, quality, and integrity helped Tibbs Frankie build trust with millions👉 From mutton wraps to modern plant-based innovations see how the brand continues to evolve while protecting its original charm ✨ Voices for Local celebrates Indian brands that shape our culture the ones creating food, memories, and emotional connections that last forever. 📍 Craving a bite already? Head to a Tibbs Frankie outlet near you!💬 Tell us in the comments: Which Frankie flavor is your all-time favorite?

Thaely isn’t just a sneaker it’s a step towards a greener world. Made from recycled plastics, each pair transforms waste into style while inspiring sustainable living. ✨ Voices for Local – stories that inspire, fashion that matters.

Weirdough isn’t just bread; it’s Pallavee Duggal’s story of turning passion into purpose, patience into perfection, and ideas into reality.

Ever wondered how a small idea can turn into something huge? Meet Sujata & Tanya, the sisters behind Suta Sarees. They started in a tiny garage during Covid with just one employee, dreaming of making malmal sarees that are simple, fun, and affordable. Today, their brand reaches women across India, empowering artisans and changing the way people wear sarees. 👉 How did one online batch spark a nationwide movement?👉 What keeps them going through challenges and long days? This is more than sarees—it’s about following your dream, celebrating simplicity, and creating impact that matters. ✨ Voices for Local – stories that inspire, culture that connects. 💬 Tell us: Which Suta Saree would you love to wear?#VoicesForLocal #SutaSarees #Malmal #WomenEntrepreneurs #StartupStory

What if retirement was the start of your boldest chapter yet?  Meet Prakash Baid, the Marwari entrepreneur who turned India’s most loved after-meal ritual - Mukhwas into a refreshing new brand: After Eats. From spicy, tangy twists to classic family flavors, every mix is 100% natural and made to keep traditions alive. Why did he refuse to “retire”?How did a simple mouth freshener become his mission? One of the most special moments? A family ordered After Eats boxes as return gifts for a birthday, a reminder that this brand is now part of people’s celebrations. This is not just about Mukhwas. It’s about tradition, positivity, and proving that there’s no age to chase a new dream. This isn’t just a story about food. It’s about culture, resilience, and proving that passion has no age limit. Welcome to Voices for Local — where everyday traditions meet extraordinary entrepreneurs. Share in the comments: What’s YOUR favorite after-meal ritual?#VoicesForLocal #AfterEats #Mukhwas #IndianSnacks #Entrepreneurship #StartupStory

What happens when two Bangaloreans in Mumbai decide they can’t live without their favorite childhood dosa? They don’t just crave it… they create a revolution. In this episode of Voices for Local, host Monisha Singh Katial sits down with Akhil and Shreya, the couple behind Benne – Mumbai’s newest obsession where queues wrap around the block for a plate of butter-soaked nostalgia. From giving up the comfort of established careers (a psychologist & a film producer!) to building a restaurant from scratch, their story is one of risk, honesty, and community.From sleepless nights and opening day disasters to viral social media buzz, they share what it really takes to create a homegrown brand that resonates with the youth of India.And at the heart of it all? A dosa that’s more than food – it’s heritage, culture, and comfort. Voices for Local is all about celebrating India’s homegrown entrepreneurs, their struggles, dreams, and resilience. This isn’t just a story of food – it’s about turning passion into purpose and community into culture. If you’re in Mumbai, don’t miss the chance to try Benne Dosa at Bandra or Juhu.Tell us in the comments: What’s your favorite local brand story that inspires you? #VoicesForLocal #Benne #IndianFood #Entrepreneurship #StartupJourney #LocalBrands #DosaLove

We’re heading down to Kochi this episode, as Monisha speaks to Zuzana Gombosova, a material researcher and designer from Slovakia, who is the co-founder of Malai, a company that designs and develops bio-based materials from Bacterial Cellulose that they grow. Zuzana tells us about the challenges of working with biodegradable materials, the fascinating production process of Malai’s material made from coconut water, the experience of working with coconut processing units, and what it’s like working in the sustainability space at international platforms vs in the Indian market. Check out Malai at malai.eco, and follow their journey on Instagram @malai.eco. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni Audio Editor: Aditya Arya Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

Voices for Local turns 50! Well, not 50 years – but 50 episodes, and we think that’s something to celebrate! It’s been a fun, fascinating, and fulfilling journey across the length and breadth of the country, getting to know the stories behind some incredible brands. What better way to mark the occasion than to look back at some of our favourite episodes and listen to what our favourite brands have been up to since they featured on the show?And we had to include you in our celebrations, of course! So, keep an eye out on our Instagram handle @voicesforlocal, for some special offers that these brands have got exclusively for our loyal listeners. Use the coupon code on our Instagram to avail some awesome discounts with these brands! On this episode:Nafisa Rachel William Studio Metallurgy (Advaeita Mathur) Studio Beej (Arundhati Kumar) Veedaa (Dhruv Kohli) Caught Craft Handed (Yukti & Sheela Bajaj) Bombay Shirt Company (Akshay Narvekar) Rouka (Sreejith Jeevan) Pinklay (Daisy Tanwani) Quirksmith (Divya & Pragya Batra) Subko (Rahul Reddy) To keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineers: Kartik Kulkarni & Lakshman Parsuram Audio Editor: Aditya Arya Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

This week, on Voices for Local, Monisha gets talking to Saarus Nirhali, the founder of Glasshopper, a Bangalore-based stained glass studio that creates suncatchers, panels, lamp-shades, tea light holders, and jewellery. Monisha asks her what it was like to leave behind a career in criminal law, how she got into stained glass, and how she sources her designs. Saarus also explains the difference between original and Tiffany style stained glass, and the challenges of working with expensive, breakable raw materials like stained glass. Check out Glasshopper at www.glasshopper.in, and follow their journey on Instagram @glasshopperindia. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni Audio Editor: Aditya Arya Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

Monisha chats with sibling duo Tarveen Kaur Vohra & Jasjyot Singh Hans, the co-founders of fashion brand Tappa, whose first collection features gender neutral clothes in sizes that fit all body types. They chat about how the brand started, the reaction they’ve received, the effectiveness of fashion as a medium of queer representation, and how their sibling relationship has improved due to the brand.  Check out Tappa at tappa.in, and follow their journey on Instagram @tappa.india. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni Audio Editor: Aditya Arya Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

We’re featuring a brand on Voices for Local this week that is creating quite a buzz in the beverage space with their unique catalogue of mead, the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey with various fruits and spices. Nitin Vishwas, one of the co-founders and self-proclaimed ‘Benevolent Overlord’s of the Pune-based Moonshine Meadery, joins Monisha on the show to chat about the challenges of setting up India (and Asia)’s first meadery, what’s is like working with your best friend, how they support local farmers all across the country, how wild they can get while coming up with new flavours, and their plans for their newly raised capital of $2 million. Check out Moonshine Meadery at www.moonshinemeadery.com, and follow their journey on Instagram @moonshinemeadery. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni Audio Editor: Aditya Arya Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

On Voices For Local this week, Monisha chats with the Co-Founder, Creative Director and Executive Chef of La Folie – Sanjana Patel herself, who opens up about her grandmother being the spark in her life and her cooking inspiration, and what it’s like to marry and work with your childhood sweetheart. She also speaks about returning to India after studying abroad, being very loyal to her thoughts, and her commitment to work with Indian farmers despite the challenges. Check out La Folie at lafolie.in, and follow their journey on Instagram @lafolierealchocolate. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni Audio Editor: Aditya Arya Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala Recording Engineer: Aria NanjiRecorded at Island City Studios

Monisha gets into conversation with cheesemaking brother duo, Prateeksh & Agnay Mehra, the co-founders of The Spotted Cow Fromagerie, a small creamery based in Mumbai that make handmade artisanal cheeses which are 100% vegetarian and preservative free. They tell Monisha how they went from brewing beer to making cheese, their stinky first few batches of cheese gone wrong, making Bombay versions of Camembert, Brie and Tomme de Savoie, and how the pandemic turned out to be good for business. Check The Spotted Cow Fromagerie out at www.thespottedcow.in, and follow their journey on Instagram @spottedcowfromagerie. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni Audio Editor: Aditya Arya Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala Recording Engineer: Aria NanjiRecorded at Island City Studios