CULTURAL MAGPIE

The maximalist who put Indian art and craft on the global stage and that too on his own unapologetic terms, tells CHIRAG MOHANTY SAMAL about his fantastical new store in Mumbai, why travel is necessary for creativity, and how the traveller’s aesthetic resonates with him

- CHIRAG MOHANTY SAMAL

HE IS A GLOBAL powerhouse; his designs have elevated Indian maximalism onto a pedestal. One of the most coveted couturiers of his time, Sabyasachi Mukherjee has revived heritage craft, textiles, and techniques and given them a modern identity but within the precinct of time-honoured culture. In his latest store in Mumbai, which also happens to be his biggest so far, Mukherjee fuses his fantastical imagination with all things luxury and decadent. The store houses 100 hand-cut chandeliers, 275 carpets, 3,000 books, and 150 works of art created by the Sabyasachi Foundation. A fairy-tale haven filled with curios like Tang dynasty pottery, French Art Nouveau cabinets, and vintage handcrafted furniture, the new store represents what Mukherjee calls himself—a cultural magpie. In an exclusive interview, he reveals how the bohemian men and women in Kolkata have shaped his thoughts and why a pending trip to the Taj Mahal has got him obsessed with the historic monument.

EXCERPTS FROM THE INTERVIEW: 

Your new store is like an art gallery— exquisite and stunningly beautiful. How long did it take to execute your grand plans?

It was in the making for about a year and a half. When you build a maximalist store, you really can’t pre-plan beyond a certain point. It happens organically, layer upon layer, it builds over days and months and finally you just have to stop at some point. 

What is your favourite section in the store?