Voices Anand Neelakantan Anuja Chandramouli Dinesh Singh Sheila Kumar Deepali Bhardwaj Swami Sukhabodhananda MAGAZINE Buffet People Wellness Books Food Art & Culture Entertainment NEW DELHI november 2 2025 SUNDAY PAGES 12 Core Philosophy Less but meaningful Keep fewer pieces, but let each tell a story (handcrafted, artisanal, or heirloom) Calm over clutter Prioritise open spaces and natural light Function first Every item should serve a purpose or bring genuine joy Strive for serenity, openness, and authenticity Celebrate craftsmanship without overwhelming the senses Let space and simplicity elevate your decor More or Less As spaces shrink and eco-awareness rises, urban Indians are embracing minimalist design T By Sayoni Bhaduri here is a hush settling over India’s most stylish homes. A quiet luxury that shimmers across lime-plastered walls, the grain of teak, and the scent of raw wood and linen. It is not austerity masquerading as design; it is a distinctly Indian aesthetic awakening. Minimalism, long celebrated abroad, has arrived home—not imported from Scandinavia or Japan, but born of India’s own sensibilities, where poetry is found in restraint and meaning in materials that have always been ours. Indian minimalism is its own originality Minimalism is primarily seen as having less things and a space that is not . as cluttered. It doesn’t necessarily mean cutting back on colour or texture. The concept isn’t new to India—it’s intrinsic. From monasteries in Ladakh to the earthy austerity of South Indian agraharams, our architectural vocabulary was shaped by climate, craft, and clarity Today that sensibility . , is being rediscovered, albeit with a global polish. Among the most telling symbols of this quiet return is the Chandigarh Chair. Originally designed by Pierre Jeanneret in the 1950s, it has seen a remarkable global resurgence in minimalist and modern interiors. Its simple teak frame, cane seat, and clean geometric lines embody the essence of understated elegance. Today it’s , celebrated as a timeless icon of functional beauty—bridging Indian craftsmanship with mid-century modern design. From art galleries to chic apartments, the Chandigarh Chair has become a symbol of authenticity and quiet sophistication in minimalist decor worldwide. On its heels is the Kerala Planter’s Chair. A colonial-era relic with elegant teak arms extending like wings—meant to rest a planter’s “True minimalism refines rather than denies; it distils intention until what remains is essential and eloquent. Minimalism is the spiritual counterpart of maximalism—the same vocabulary, spoken in a lower register.” Raseel Ansal Gujral, Interior Designer, founder RGA Design, and co-founder Casa Pop and Casa Paradox Luxe weary legs—it is now finding its way into the living rooms of design-conscious homeowners from Mumbai to Milan. Equally resurgent is the chowki—a low, unadorned wooden seat that once anchored rural households. In contemporary homes, it morphs into a minimalist coffee table or a meditative perch. Then there’s the muda, the humble cane stool from the Northeast—light, stackable, sustainable—now reimagined by global design studios for boutique hotels in Bali and Kyoto. The charpai, too, deserves mention. Once an everyday object of repose in India’s courtyards, it’s now a statement piece in global design catalogues. Designers in New York and Copenhagen are embracing its simple geometry and handwoven jute or cotton ropes—proof that craftsmanship, not ornamentation, defines enduring style. of clutter,” shares Sarah Sham, Principal Designer, Essajees Atelier. We are a maximalist nation naturally favouring beautiful, bright colours, varied textures, and a blend of materials across our food, clothing, and lifestyles. “We live in joint families. We have so many different influences. So, unless it’s extremely intended, I don’t think minimalism has been successful the way the West has honed,” says Apoorva Shroff, Founder and Principal Designer, Lyth Design. Internationally Indian minimalism , is gaining quiet momentum. Boutique design houses are collaborating with Indian artisans, finding common ground in wabi-sabi and the Gandhian aesthetic of simplicity The jaali screen, once a . practical element for light and ventilation, is being reinterpreted as modern art installations in galleries from London to Los Angeles. In a country that is dynamic and driven by culture, minimalism does not mean eliminating personality it means creating , harmony The haveli courtyards . of Rajasthan or the open verandahs of Kerala are examples of spatial minimalism designed for climate and social life. Floors, often lime-washed and polished, served as both functional and aesthetic surfaces, a practice mirrored today in lime-plastered walls, Kota stone floors, and handwoven textiles. Minimalism in Indian homes was never about sterility or blankness; it was about mindful curation. A clay lamp, a brass vessel, or a carved wooden bench carried generations of craft knowledge. “Minimalism in India is not emptiness; it is presence, purpose, and a conversation with history explains Raseel ,” Ansal Gujral, founder of RGA Design, and co-founder Casa Pop and Casa Paradox Luxe. “Indian minimalism is about peace amidst colour, adherence to tradition with space and the function with beauty adds Anjaleka Kripalani, ,” Interior Architect and Founder of Angie Homes. It’s about making intentional choices, paring down visual noise, and letting quality pieces take focus. “I believe minimalism in India is less about restraint and more about clarity It allows design to breathe . within the richness of our environ- Materials & Textures Use natural materials wood, cane, jute, linen, khadi, or cotton Handcrafted finishes (slight imperfections) bring authenticity Mix matte and natural textures—clay pots, brass bowls, stone surfaces But in the thicket of concrete jungles and swiftly rising builder flats, a quiet design revolution is taking shape—one that doesn’t scream for attention but whispers of restraint, proportion, and purpose. Indian minimalism, once a philosophical undercurrent, is reemerging as a sophisticated aesthetic for the urbane class. “The Indian version of minimalism is a reaction to the tendency to keep many different artifacts, objects, furniture pieces, rugs, and lights, which can lead to a lot Colour Palette Stick to earthy tones off-whites, beiges, terracotta, muted greens, indigo, or grey Add small pops of colour via textiles, cushions, or pottery— think maroon, mustard, or teal ment,” says Shalini Chandrashekar, Principal Designer & Co-Founder, Taliesyn Design & Architecture. Taliesyn’s Cabin House project was designed as a simple box for a family of three that drew on the quiet elegance of old Bengaluru homes. It features earthy materials, exposed cement, and warm timber to create depth without excess. Japanese Zen has long influenced contemporary global minimalism. Its essence lies in simplicity asymmetry imperfection , , Avoid overly bright contrasts or heavy prints (wabi-sabi), and attention to the present moment. In South India, the Thachu Shastra, Kerala’s traditional carpentry and architecture system, conveys remarkably similar principles. Both Zen and Thachu Shastra celebrate deliberate emptiness—the spaces between objects are as meaningful as the objects themselves. A courtyard is not a void; it is a living room under the sky A tatami mat or a polished teak . Turn to page 2