Kanjivaram sari. Kansa thali. Madhubani art.
Kantha stitch. Pochampally weave. Tanjore painting.
There is a slice of Indian heritage in each of these objects. We take pride in heirloom as they adorn the walls of our homes and occupy our chests, passed down from one generation to the other. After all, “in the social jungle of human existence, there is no feeling of being alive without a sense of identity.”
Today, I’m talking about one such brand: Sihasn.
Sihasn is a celebration of the sense of identity we look from the past in our daily lives – a reminder of who we are, where we came from, and the rich textile legacies left behind by our forefathers.
What is Sihasn?
Sihasn is a recently launched luxury hand-crafted furniture brand that has India’s unsung textile heritage as its essence. They make upholstered furniture for the home ranging from futon and sofa to pouffe and folding chairs. All the products are available for purchase online.
Their USP: What is distinctive about Sihasn is that every piece of furniture is custom designed and draped in fabric that will stand the test of time.
The fabrics are specially sourced from skilled artisans across the country renowned for their craftsmanship. For instance, the dhurries are commissioned from Jaipur Rugs in Rajasthan, kantha work from award-winning craftswomen in West Bengal, linen from Bhagalpur, shawls from Nagaland, and Muga silk from Assam.
Sanju, who is your customer? Who are you making these pieces for with so much of love and care?
Each piece is an an indulgence born out of skill honed to perfection from decades of practice by master craftsmen and women.
You will own a piece of Sihasn because you associate with it, see it as an expression of yourself, and an extension of your personality. You take pride in our rich heritage, revel in the vibrant colors, and the intricate patterns of our textiles. It is not a run-of-the-mill, factory made piece of furniture.
There is a story associated with each piece, and one every homeowner will love to flaunt.
The block-printed patterns seem familiar, yet there is a novelty because I’m seeing them on a chair. So, talk to us about it.
Block prints are timeless. The indigenous patterns found globally today trace their roots back to the country over thousands of years ago. The ones you see here are hand-dyed, embroidered or hand-woven in custom designs which lends it that stamp of authenticity and recognition.
Sihasn has found a new expression for all the all-too-familiar zigzag and paisley block-printed Ajrakh.
Share a moment that moved you while bringing Sihasn to life.
It is undoubtedly the humility of the artisans we work with. They have honed their for decades. The first name that comes to mind is of Takdira Begum, a master craftswoman from Birbhum in West Bengal. She was conferred the Shilp Guru National Award by the President of India for her work in inventing symmetry geometric designs using Kantha stitch.
How is Sihasn different from other bespoke furniture brands?
When Sihasn introduced themselves as a luxury furniture retailer upholstering pieces with exquisite textiles, I shrugged it as yet another brand. Until, I checked out their site to get lost in the ancient history and the diversity of art and craft this country has to offer.
Image courtesy: Sihasn