Collaboration is the perfect way to merge skills and come up with something new, wouldn't you agree? But what would you say if we told you that you had to collaborate with your family? Meghalika Panduru had this chance and boy, is she making the most of it. The team comprises of her mother Lalitha, who is an artist specialising in Thanjavur painting, while Meghalika is an architect who pursued architecture from CSI Institute of Technology, School Of Planning And Architecture and now works at Shankar Narayan Architects. Wait there's more. Her grandmother, Rama Teki, pitches in as well with opinions and organic products.
But what is the outcome of this collaboration across three generations? Heart Works! Beautiful and picturesque handmade trays, they are a hit at Hyderabad's Sunday Soul Santes. Now what's so special about a tray, you must be wondering. Meghalika informs us that not only are the tiles specially designed and brought in from Rajasthan, but a carpenter has also been commissioned to make special teakwood frames for the trays. "It truly looks like an art piece!" she exclaims. But like every other maker of handmade products, they have their own challenges to face. "We try to explain to buyers the amount of effort and care that goes into designing each of our products, but they still think it's too pricey. Everyone bargains. We don't really like this kind of attitude," says the 25-year-old. But they power through and do what they do best — make their flagship trays.
Speaking about these trays, Meghalika shares that they come in three sizes — small, medium, large — and they have 14 variants that are customisable. They also make handmade soaps, organic coconut oil, cotton scrubs and other such products as well. But she still rues the fact that appreciation for handmade products is not as much as it should be. "I see the efforts my grandmother and my mother have put in and know that all that they make cannot be taken for granted. It's worth so much more," she says emphatically.
Few of their products
How the trays are made
- The choice to use Rajasthani tiles was conscious as Meghalika's mother had used them for something else and realised that they work for trays as well. "They are so colourful and vibrant," says Meghalika. The types of tiles they use are mosaic, glazed, ceramic and so on
- The carpenter helps them make frames of teak and as per their suggestions, arranges the tiles and tries out different combinations
- Some of their best-selling trays are those that are made of imported grass and has little ladybugs on it, a sunny yellow one with blue flowers and more
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