Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah

Click on image to enlarge.

Vakra-Tunndda Maha-Kaaya Surya-Kotti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryessu Sarvadaa

Meaning : 
O Lord Ganesha, of Curved Trunk, Large Body and with the Brilliance of a Million Suns,
Please Make All my Works Free of Obstacles, Always.

Magic of myriad hues

Click on image to enlarge.

Countless stitches in 84 different shades  have been instrumental in  bringing to life this embroidered wall hanging of a beautiful flower.

Here, I have played with the hues to bring out the softness of the petals against the strong yet tender green of the stem and leaves.

A tribute to the beauty in nature

God, when you thought of a pine tree,
How did you think of a star ?
How did you dream of the Milky Way
To guide us from afar.

God, when you chiseled a raindrop,
How did you think of a stem,
Bearing a lovely satin leaf
To hold the tiny gem ?
(excerpts from the poem 'God the Artist' by Angela Morgan )

Click on image to enlarge.

The beauty of nature is a tricky thing to capture. Using a unique technique (3D effect) I have brought depth to this picture of a gentle early morning breeze through a serene meadow.

Click on image to enlarge.

The above artwork shows the power of shading in embroidery. 

Here, we have played with shades in stitches to bring depth to this scene of a soft green path that takes you through the valley of flowers before you get lost into the forest beyond.

Click on image  to enlarge.

Here I have attempted to capture the elegance of the shy yet stately Barasingha deer, grazing on the tender grass along with his mate.

These beautiful timid creatures who live in isolated areas were until recently on the verge of extinction.

Click on image to enlarge.

The bamboo forest above is a beautiful addition to any space. As the Feng Shui principles claim, bamboo attracts chi energy into the surrounding places.

However, my respect for this magnificent flora, stems from a beautiful story about the Chinese bamboo tree.

Unlike most other plants, Chinese bamboo is quite unique. When this bamboo is planted, watered, and nurtured for the whole growing season, it does not outwardly develop even just for an inch, neither does it grow for the next season. As the seasons come and go the farmer must continue to irrigate, fertilize and care for the bamboo seed for four consecutive years. Then comes the fifth year and the bamboo tree shoots up to more than 80 feet tall in just one season, and all this with a strong and able underground foundation that it took four years to develop. 

An astonishing demonstration of the power of nature that teaches us a lesson that Faith, Patience, Persistence and consistent action remains key to achieving our desired goals !

Click on image to enlarge.

A humming bird in a Bamboo Garden.

This particular piece of art has been created on jute. The fabric adds to the texture of the background so that bamboo shoots stand out against the surface.

Click on image to enlarge.

A village scene created on jute, the fabric helps add the rustic touch to the dirt path through the fields.

Playing with thread and fabric to create interesting textures

Click on image to enlarge.

A close up of cushion covers created for Radisson Hotel, Ranchi.

The project was an interesting one as each aspect of the cushion cover had to be custom created. Overall look and detailing has been designed in accordance to the decor of the hotel. The Tussar silk fabric has been especially dyed to complement the unique carpets in the rooms. To supplement it, the custom-dyed woolen threads were used to add a rustic touch to the softness of the natural silk fabric.

Click on image to enlarge.

The beauty of embroidery is that you can create any effect (velvet rose) with the right stitches.

Click on image to enlarge.

TGB

Click on image to enlarge.

Above are two of the larger banquet halls at The Grand Bhagawati (TGB), Surat - Emerald and Ruby.

I have worked on the paneling of these 3200 sq ft banquet halls to create a look that is ornate yet sophisticated. The panels are complete embroidered textures inlay-ed with mirrors, pllaced in a way so that they catch the lighting inside the banquet halls at the right angles to create a scintillating and elegant look, while maintaining the symmetry of designs between each panel.

Click on image to enlarge.

Additionally, AVIkar (formerly HEBA) has also done panelling work for the Discotheque and Karaoke Lounge at TGB, Surat (above).

Interesting surfaces that embroidery can adorn

Click on image to enlarge.

HITAKSHI Safety Solutions had an interesting requirement. They wanted to create a unique memento for their clients, one that thanked the clients for their continued association and also served as a gentle  yet constant reminder of the company. 

The task therefore was two-pronged : create a design that symbolizes HITAKSHI and present it in a medium that would tempt the receiver to make it a part their work scene.

HITAKSHI is a company that provides fire safety solutions, hence, it was only fitting that I use the ultimate symbol of fire and energy - the SUN - as the design. As for the medium, what would be better than a daily planner that is so integral to the life of a working person.

I am happy to share that most of these planners are still being used years after they were originally gifted.

Click on image to enlarge.

A close up of the artwork on the leather bound daily planners created for HITAKSHI Safety Solutions.

Shading with concentric circles have been used to bring out the brilliance of the Sun's energy. The monochromatic shades at the back depict the encroachment of light, into the darkness, brought in by the rising sun. 

Click on image to enlarge.

Leather bound diaries that were created as personalized gifts.

The vivacity and beauty of the bird of paradise flower has been brought out in the artwork here. Each of the gifted diaries had been personalized with the individual's names embroidered in bottom right corner.

Click on image to enlarge.

Desktop calendars are another interesting space to use embroidery.

The office desk or workstation is a place we all look at day in and day out, be it that we are stressing to meet a deadline or in the midst of some serious number crunching. That is why it is said that one should have around us pictures of beautiful, tranquil sceneries to look at to soothe and calm the mind. 

What better place than your desktop calendar for that picturesque art. This way we find a perfect way to marry aesthetics and practicality.

Click on image to enlarge.

A close up of another art piece created for the desktop calendar.

Here and in the art above, I concentrated on using scenes of the sea as the hues of blues of the waves and soft red and orange of the dawn sky are known to have a calming effect on the human mind. 

Click on image to enlarge.

Shrusti Smriti Creations, a garment manufacturing company, wanted to give their clients seasons greetings that was in keeping with their line of work - threads and fabrics. 

I created for them a simple greeting card with the embroidered image of a couple of yellow daffodils. As you know yellow daffodils symbolize new beginnings and eternal life, thus, this was an apt artwork for the young company just entering its second year.

A salute to traditional Indian Art

Click on image to enlarge.

The above creation pays homage to the traditional art of Madhubani. Here we have Lord Krishna accompanying his beloved, Radha, as she goes to the banks of the river Yamuna to fill her earthen pot. 

Madhubani painting or Mithila painting is a style of Indian art, practiced in the Mithila region of  Bihar, India. These paintings are traditionally done with fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks, using natural dyes and pigments. The origins of these paintings are shrouded in antiquity and mythology.

Click on image to enlarge.

Traditional Chikankari. 

The above piece of art shows the typical lattice work of the Indian Lucknowi embroidery art form.

Stain-glass Effect

Click on image to enlarge.

The beautiful 'blue horse' stain-glass art has been created on a transparent fabric to give it the look of glass. 
The detailing embroidery is special as both sides are mirror images of each other. i.e. there is no front or back, it's a two-sided art piece.

Click on image to enlarge.

The above art is a more traditional look in stain-glass paintings with flowers, vines and creepers. This art uses silver thread interestingly to add to the look of the highlights, that one sees on glass paintings.

Clientele 

AVIkar (formerly HEBA) has partnered with reputed architects and interior designers like Anil Chavda and Associates for the HDFC Bank - Head Office project at Worli, Mumbai.

Cherished is the relationship AVIkar has with Prakash Mankar Designs Pvt Ltd. Together we have worked on projects for TGB (The Grand Bhagawati), Surat and Radisson Hotel, Ranchi.

For HITAKSHI Safety Solutions, AVIkar has created the ultimate memento idea that, due to it's practicality and aesthetic value, continues to gift itself year after year.

AVIkar is honoured that it could be a part of Shrusti Smriti Creations's year two greetings that helped them garner further standing with their clients.

We enjoy the unparalleled trust and goodwill of our esteemed clients, primarily due to the impeccable quality, high standards and AVIkar's penchant to maintain deadlines.

Click on image to enlarge

Where can you display my art ?

Our creations can adorn and complement surfaces such as walls, paneling, ceilings, beams and pillars, tabletops, table-runners, wardrobes, screens, wall hangings, lanterns, chairs, bedspreads, cushion covers, etc.

Like any true artist the canvas is limited only by imagination.

~~ The possibilities are endless ~~

About AVIkar

AVIkar (formerly HEBA)  is a creative centre that designs and manufactures embroidered tapestry art, soft furnishings,  bridal collection and trousseau.

Timeless ideas are crafted into contemporary designs that span across the gamut of realism, traditional, folk, abstract, cubism and impressionism art. 

The designs created portray the rich cultural heritage of Indian embroidery, craftsmanship and art, but it caters to tastes from all corners of the world. 

Through a fusion of strokes and stitches, AVIkar strives to achieve 'faultless perfection'.

At AVIkar, I have an ambitious team of competent professionals who combine in-depth industry knowledge, strong background and experience to exhibit our creations in all its splendour. 

Skilled embroiders, tailors and other gifted team members, who enhance the creativity in designs to reach exquisite heights, are the pillars of the AVIkar family.

The most vital quality of AVIkar is that we are just the right size to take on goliath projects and yet small enough to guarantee that each stitch or stroke is personally attended by the artists.

Contact AVIkar

Smitha Nair
smitha.nair@avikar.in

Office:

E/D-6 Nav Monica,

CST Road, Kalina,

Santa Cruz (E),

Mumbai - 400 098

Workshop:
Kolkata, India