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The project was predicated on an exhaustive exploration of Naga tribal culture, encompassing their rich heritage, intricate customs, and profound connection to the natural world. It examined the influence of the environment on Naga life, which is evident in their craftsmanship, particularly woodcarving, weaving, and metalwork. The exploration highlighted how Naga craft traditions reflect their animistic worldview, with nature-inspired motifs adorning various objects.

This symbolism blurs boundaries between human, animal, and spiritual realms. Naga craftsmanship demonstrates a diverse array of handmade traditions, including basketry, pottery, and jewellery-making, underscoring their self-sufficiency.

The study emphasised the sustainable nature of Naga material culture, relying on locally sourced materials transformed into durable, multipurpose items. It also noted the significance of the Naga colour triad—red, white, and black—in encoding social hierarchies and achievements. 

Motif

Mithun
Hornbill
Tiger
Elephant
Bear
Monkey
Great Barbet Meat chunks Women’s breasts
Sun, moon, stars

The Nagascape Deco project represents an innovative synthesis of disparate design paradigms, juxtaposing the primordial aesthetics of the Naga tribal community with the refined geometry of Art Deco. The project builds upon The Great Eastern Home's established expertise in Art Deco, seeking to infuse this sophisticated urban aesthetic with elements from the rich, nature-inspired design tradition of the Naga tribes. This fusion aims not only to create unique, culturally resonant pieces but also to draw attention to the endangered cultural heritage of the Naga people, promoting awareness and appreciation of their distinctive artistic legacy.

This interdisciplinary approach seeks to interrogate the boundaries between indigenous craftsmanship and modernist design principles, culminating in a collection of furniture and decor products that embody both cultural reverence and contemporary functionality.

By meticulously deconstructing and reinterpreting Naga motifs, such as the symbolic Mithun and hornbill, through the lens of Art Deco's characteristic streamlined forms and luxurious flair, the project aims to create a dialogue between the organic, nature-inspired elements of tribal design and the urban sophistication of early 20th-century modernism. This fusion not only challenges conventional categorizations of "primitive" and "advanced" design but also explores the potential for cross-cultural aesthetics to inform and enrich contemporary furniture design.

The resulting designs serve as a tangible manifestation of cultural hybridity, offering insights into the adaptability and timelessness of indigenous design elements while simultaneously demonstrating the enduring appeal and versatility of Art Deco principles. Through this synthesis, Nagascape Deco aspires to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the evolution of design in an increasingly globalized context, proposing a model for respectful and innovative engagement with traditional aesthetics in modern design practice.

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Symbolism

Fertility, Prosperity, Wealth

Status, Power, Royalty

Courage, Strength, Protection

Strength

Fame as a warrior/hunter

Agility, Skill

Luck, Fame
Feasts of merit given by the house owner

Success in love, Power, Prowess in war

NAGASCAPE DECO

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Figure 1: Project photoshoot at The Great Eastern Home

Figure 2: Concept Board Illustration

Graduation Project with The Great Eastern Home

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Figure 3: Naga Woodcraft, Textile craft, Jewellery (Source: Tripoto)

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Art Deco, a design movement that flourished between the two World Wars, represents a pinnacle of luxury, glamour, and faith in social and technological progress. This influential style, characterized by its sleek geometric forms and lavish ornamentation, found a significant foothold in Mumbai's architectural landscape during the 1930s and 1940s. The city boasts the world's second-largest collection of Art Deco buildings, second only to Miami, making it a fitting backdrop for The Great Eastern Home's exploration of this design language.

Art Deco features in Mumbai Architecture

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Figure 4: New India Assurance Building (left), Eros Cinema building (right)
Image Sources: The Hindu

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Figure 5: Bombay Samachaar Building, Image source: Dreamstime

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Figure 6: Eros Cinema, Churchgate, Source: Art Deco Society of New York

Figure 7: Detailed view of ground floor window on Rajjab Mahal, Image source: Art Deco Society of New York

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Ziggurats

Arches

Buttresses

Linear geometric divisions & aerodynamic forms

Motif extraction from Naga craftsmanship

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Figure 8, 9: Naga House Architecture, Image source: Kaarvan

Figure 10: Naga Mithun motif, Source: Unknown

Figure 11: Naga Hornbill totem pole Image source: 1st Dibs

The project aimed to reinterpret these traditional, nature-inspired elements in contemporary contexts, bridging indigenous wisdom with modern design sensibilities.

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Ideation extracts from the sketchbooks

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Furniture

Technical sheet, renders and manufacturing 

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Lighting

Technical sheet, renders and manufacturing 

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Tabletop accessories

Technical sheet, renders and manufacturing 

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Art Deco features in the designs

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Linear geometric divisions

Ziggurat detailing

Aerodynamic curves

Lavish ornamentation

Product Range

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