Hyderabad has emerged as a hub for upscale design and decor destinations in recent years. Numerous brands have set up shop in the city, contributing to its growing status as a key player in the design landscape. The inaugural design festival and exhibition, ‘Design Democracy,’ held at the N Convention Centre in Hyderabad from October 13 to 15, was both a celebration of excellence in design, and a testament to Hyderabad’s growing prominence as a centre for the convergence of creativity and innovation in interiors and lifestyle. It provided a platform to the top-tier established and emerging interior and lifestyle brands to connect with designers, architects, and real estate mavens, among others.

An initiative of the dynamic trio —Arjun Rathi, Shailja Patwari and Pallika Sreewastav — the underlying idea behind ‘Design Democracy’ was the belief that outstanding design should be accessible to all. According to curator Rathi, the larger objective was to reshape our perception and appreciation of design. The exhibition’s engaging environment helped foster collaborations that promised to be mutually beneficial. Over the course of three eventful days, attendees had the opportunity to explore meticulously curated displays and distinctive collections of furniture, lighting, interiors, kitchens, home technology, accessories, flooring etc — the latest and most talked-about offerings from both local and international brands. 

With more than 70 luxury brands hailing from various states participating, the showcase provided a glimpse into the multifaceted design panorama, innovation, and artisanal skills in India. Each of these brands presented an array of creations — all distinctly their own. There was so much that one learnt about the design ethos by just walking around the exhibits, observing, perusing, and conversing. Articulating her vision, co-founder Pallika Sreewastav stated, “We aim to create a platform that celebrates Indian creativity and design. Design Democracy showcases the talent and innovation within the country.”

One of the highlights was the ‘Museum of Telangana,’ a special exhibit that served as a tribute to the abundant artistic heritage created by the designers of the state. The dedicated space not only paid an ode to the region’s rich cultural legacy, it also provided an avenue to visitors to get a sense of the artistic prowess and creative ingenuity of some of Telangana’s most talented young designers. Curated by Supraja Rao of Kadari Art Gallery, this section had its own charm as it showcased work that drew on the cultural and historical facets of Telangana. Talking about the exhibition, Supraja Rao said, “My intention is to prompt reflection on the evolution of culture and craftsmanship, and to remind us that every creation, big or small, has the potential to become part of a museum, history, or culture.”  The ceiling installations of hundreds of white flags hanging down had our favourite childhood game — Name, Place, Animal, Things — where names, places, cuisines etc from across the state were mentioned on each flag. 

The presence of two leading art galleries in Hyderabad — Shrishti Art Gallery and Kadari Art Gallery — added a flair. Founded by Lakshmi Nambiar, Shrishti Art Gallery curated a show featuring the works of eight talented artists hailing from various corners of the country. Their work straddled different mediums: sculptures, acrylic paintings, artwork on wood, canvas, and rice paper. The work of Chippa Sudhakar, a local artist, particularly stood out. His creations delved into the dynamics between urbanisation and migration in contemporary society. Similarly, the works at Kadari Art Gallery, included paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media artworks, with notes on the artists’ inspiration and techniques. 

Some of the brands at the show included Beyond Designs, We Are Now A Store, Within, Tectona Grandis, Creatomy, Savana Living, Luxaddi, Hands Carpets, Cocoon Rugs, Arjun Rathi Lighting, Studio by Agni, Vakr Studio, The Bay Window, Vyom by Shucharita, Shades of India, Luxaddi, Temple Town, Freedom Tree, Ek Kalakaar Designs, ARTE, Ikai Asai, and Foremost Marbles. A few of these previously showcased their offerings at design exhibitions in some big cities. Many of them did substantial sales while others got positive leads. Many have already secured their spots for the upcoming seasons of ‘Design Democracy,’ which goes beyond product displays; it is a space for knowledge exchange and networking, which are vital for business. At the sessions, distinguished designers and architects from across India shared their insights in discussions with the heads of participating brands. Needless to say, they contributed to the overall richness of the ‘Design Democracy’ experience.

As a design enthusiast who also happens to often write about it, I was greatly enriched at the conclave of creative minds and fellow design enthusiasts working in the same space. “Design is the intermediary between information and understanding,” German-American painter Hans Hofmann had said. To me, gathering the information at the show led to greater understanding of how design can be both art and aesthetics. I am sure it must have been the same for many who travelled to Hyderabad to attend it.