A graduate in economics, I turned my back to the corporate world to follow my heart in 1999. I found my calling in the creative glass industry. A novice to the world of glass, it was an uphill effort for me to absorb myself in this esoteric world, learn the art and then achieve commercial success. My intense work with the generations-old business families of Firozabad, the “glass capital” of India, exposed me to the ground realities of the commercial aspects of the profession, as well as an understanding of the conveyor-belt processes, ingredients, mixes, stages of production and undying respect for the relationship between the worker and the furnace.

However, confronted with the lack of understanding of the material, knowledge of various techniques, limited skill, and lack of a professional approach within the industry, I embarked on formal training in glass techniques and technology with a specialization in hot glass blowing at The International Glass Centre in Dudley, United Kingdom.

In 2017, I established India’s first public access glass art studio, after setting up my company, Glass Sutra Studio Pvt. Ltd., in New Delhi. The studio and the brand was a result of the extensive insight and experience that I had gathered over one decade in the creative glass industry. Opening the studio meant defying several odds in a primarily male-dominated industry.

My exhilarating journey into the creative world of glassmaking has proved to be rewarding. From creating handcrafted tableware and decorative pieces, I have evolved into a designer of glass installations, jewellery, decorative lightings, and artwork. I am constantly challenging my creativity and ability to achieve my greater “mission.” I have honed my craft with global glassmaking experts, and with Glass Sutra, I bring my international perspective to the country. Over the years, I have visited workshops of global artists and institutions to understand the nuances to set up an international level glass studio in India.

Presently, under my leadership, Glass Sutra has been innovating and delivering luxurious glass products which are almost pieces of art. My design sensibilities, eye for detail, and penchant for perfection reflect in Glass Sutra’s offerings. With me at the helm, Glass Sutra is continuing its endeavour to establish itself as a trailblazing glass art company and studio in the country.

As an avid traveller and explorer, I seek inspiration from the natural environment and my journey around the world. I am also red wine and a single malt connoisseur. I enjoy learning and understanding the complex process of wine and whisky making and the meticulous steps involved to develop a beautiful product. My work with glass reflects a similar finesse.

Furthermore, I am also a social entrepreneur. I frequently undertake various social outreach programmes for the underprivileged, especially the girl child. I, in my personal capacity, support young girls to achieve their dreams through professional education. Also, I have taken the responsibility for a little girl, offering myself as legal guardian for her complete upbringing, covering the best of education and wholesome growth to prepare her to face the world with chin up. I have not forgotten my humble roots and the hardships I faced as a woman in an industry where men rule the roost. The acceptance of a woman as glassmaker did not come easy. To mention one incident in the early days of my career, when an industrialist heard about me working as a glassmaker, the question raised by him was: “Is she cooking glass in the kitchen pot and making it in the kitchen?”. Unfortunately, he died very early actually to see what a woman can do.

I feel I was born to work with the majestic material that is glass; it is the singular medium of my expression, and I hope that the democratization of glass will percolate through our society. My work is an outcome of the tremendous bond I have forged with glass. For over two decades, I have been traversing along my journey as a woman glassmaker, making the world beautiful one work of art at a time. A storyteller by heart, I always find ways to tell stories through my pieces.

Through my jewellery collection Gappei, I have tried to share hidden similarities between the glass and a woman. Very few are aware of the fact that glass — fragile yet strong, sharp yet malleable, flawed yet pure — becomes what it is because it is born from fire (12-13 hours in 1400 degree Celcius).

A woman, who is the sole architect of her life, resembles glass. For she creates herself by lighting the fire of strength and confidence within herself and while enduring a lot of pain and accepting various challenges that society throws at her.

The collection celebrates a woman’s transformation into her authentic self — free for self-expression, bold to pursue dreams, and strong to embrace her true identity, warts and all, while exuding the vibrancy of her spirit. That’s why I always say: “If you understand glass, you will understand me.”