Dravam, a furniture collection by New Delhi’s experimental furniture studio Vakr, brings to the forefront a collaboration between designers and Indian artisans showcasing explorations in materials and techniques. The furniture collection truly resonates with the meaning of the word “Dravam” meaning liquid like fluidity.
This unique series of furniture includes two pendant lights, a console table, and two coffee tables. The Dravam collection plays with contrasts—materials, colour, and modernity and traditionality. This alliance of engraving experts, wood artisans, and specialised painters re-imagines their traditional disciplines by creating furniture pieces with micro-concrete, giving a modern twist to Indian heritage.
The furniture pieces are made using micro-concrete and metal powder. Micro-concrete is a reliable and durable material that provides a consistent and flawless finish. The robustness of its finish is juxtaposed by engravings in contrasting hues. Further, the sharp edges in the furniture pieces are softened by the use of organic curves, which give this collection its iconic character of fluidity, staying true to the name “Dravam”
Vimukti Pendant Light
This 6-foot-diameter disc-shaped pendant light comes in the colour bronze, with bronze engraving on a dark brown hue. It has three downlighters, placed in the centre of the plain part of the lighting fixture. The engraving portion has motifs of birds, peacocks, fish, and plants in the same bronze hue set against a dark brown backdrop. The engraving part continues to the rear of the fixture, consistent with the continuity. Three hooks with metal chains hold this pendant light, provide a clean installation system, and keep up with the metallic finish look. Vimukti Pendant Light can be a perfect fixture for a double-height space.
Ananta Pendant Light
Ananta features in the Dravam line, as a pendant light. Continuing with the series, it’s a three-foot-wide disc-shaped fixture to be suspended by a metal chain. It has a downlighter in the centre with grey-coloured micro-concrete, with brass engraving of motifs like geometrical patterns on leaves. This lighting fixture can alleviate a cosy nook or a corner of a space.
Prakara Console
The exclusive console in the Dravam series, Prakara, stands six feet wide. The bronze engraving depicting a scene from a rural setting features cows grazing in the fields. The engraving catches the eye as it makes the short ends of the cabinet pliable, adding to the liquid-like fluidity of the furniture piece. This piece can be set up in a large entrance hall or against a wall under a TV unit.
Samanta Coffee Table
Samanta coffee table bears affinity to Ananta Pendant Light in terms of the hues of micro-concrete. The square coffee table comes in two sizes: four feet by four feet and three feet by three feet. The robustness of the primarily grey micro-concrete is softened by the intricate bronze engraving on a black backdrop. Largely, the etching features flora and shrubberies, contained in a free-flowing organic shape.
Vritii Coffee Table
This three-foot-wide round coffee table has bronze engraving on black micro-concrete, on the top. It appears to be flowing down to the grey sides. The table can be the perfect piece of furniture for a cosy nook or a small living area.
Vakr has brought to the forefront the indigenous arts and crafts and used them adeptly to produce exceptional innovative contemporary products. Using modern design tools, they are paving the way for designers to use and value local resources.
Their commitment to Zero Waste policy is incorporated into the designs right from the iteration stage to manufacturing and packaging.
Devyani and Nehit, founders and principal designers at Vakr, have truly combined Indian artistry with the usage of new-age materials to produce custom-made luxury handcrafted products.
