On the Brooks House by Monsoon Collective blends the contemporary with traditional by upcycling vernacular materials. Image © K. Midhul
Contemporary Indian design culture can aptly be described with one word – fusion. A close look at the trends in fashion, cinema, music, and art soon reveals the country’s aspirations as a globalized nation. Reveling in a new era, India’s art and design appear as a combination of influences from traditional life and the Western world. A “neo-Indian” image informs multiple forms of cultural expression, including architecture and interior design. As Indians and Indian architecture carve the country’s place in the world, a new design trend flourishes – one that is driven by modern lifestyles, international influences, a colonial past, and a desire to stay connected to its roots.