Desi In Design

In this special Singapore edition of Desi in Design, Sravya Attaluri sits down with Kumari Nahappan, a Malaysian-born, Singapore-based contemporary artist celebrated for her large-scale public sculptures and multidisciplinary practice spanning painting and installation. Over three decades, Kumari has built one of Southeast Asia’s most recognisable contemporary art practices. Her works, inspired by nature, ritual, and material experimentation, have become landmarks across Singapore and beyond.Together, they discuss what it takes to sustain a long-term creative career, the rituals and routines that keep her grounded, and how intuition, faith, and play guide her process. Kumari also shares her approach to working with engineers and collaborators on public art, her views on upcycling and environmental responsibility, and what she’s learned from a lifetime of creating.Filmed in Singapore at Studio Five, Desi in Design’s studio partner and co-producer for this special episode and trailer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sravya Attaluri sits down with Sneha Shah, a London-based curator, art advisor, and founder of Curaty - a socially conscious art advisory focused on connecting people to meaningful art. With over a decade of experience in the art world, Sneha shares her path from studying fine art and art history to curating exhibitions and building collections for first-time buyers, institutions, and high-net-worth clients.Together, they explore how to enter the fine art industry, what a career in curation and art advisory actually involves, and how to start collecting art without a huge budget. Sneha also explains how funding works behind exhibitions, how the art market is structured, and offers candid insights on elitism and representation in the field. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special Desi in Design x Desi Bakes episode, Sravya Attaluri sits down with Hetal Vasavada, a California-based baker, food writer, and cookbook author celebrated for her innovative take on Indian-inspired desserts in her newest cookbook, Desi Bakes. With a background in biochemistry and a pivot from healthcare to food, Hetal shares her journey from corporate America to becoming a full-time creative entrepreneur. Together, they explore how she infuses South Asian heritage into her bakes, the importance of community and collaboration in the food world, and the creative process behind developing her cookbook.Hetal also reflects on embracing mistakes, the role of baking in mental health, and the significance of preserving traditional craftsmanship through food and design. Learn how she is helping redefine representation in the culinary industry, all while staying true to her roots.Keywords:Hetal Vasavada, Milk and Cardamom, Desi Bakes, South Asian desserts, baking and mental health, Indian-inspired baking, cookbook author, MasterChef, food styling, food photography, creative entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, textiles and design, women in food, recipe development, collaboration, Gujarati heritage, representation, slow content, desi creativity, baking as self-care. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sravya Attaluri sits down with Doaly, a UK-based graphic designer and digital illustrator known for his bold, conceptual storytelling approach to illustration. With over a decade of experience, Doaly shares his journey from leaving his UI/UX career to working with global brands like Marvel and Disney. Together, they discuss his creative process, the importance of cultural identity in his work, and iconic projects like the Wonder Woman poster. Doaly also reflects on balancing self-doubt, navigating licensing complexities, and his desire to create a legacy through his own comic character. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sravya Attaluri sits down with Hash, a London-based motion designer and 3D artist celebrated for his bold, colourful art that radiates fun and playfulness. With over a decade of experience, Hash shares his journey from studying engineering to carving out a career in motion design and 3D art. Together, they explore how he navigated cultural expectations, honed his design skills, and became a sought-after freelancer working with global brands. Hash also reflects on the importance of representation, his passion for personal projects, and how he’s helping to elevate South Asian creatives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.