Design Democracy 2024 – Hyderabad
Theme: Design for and by the People
Takshni’s Sacred Whispers
Consciousness is the gentle whisper of the soul, guiding us towards the symphony of inner peace. ‘Sacred Whispers’ encapsulates journey of selfconsciousness from meditation to attain salvation. In this series we embark on a journey along the sacred river to explore how it influences and promotes our mindfulness. Working in collaboration with a fiber artist whose artwork takes inspiration from Himalayan tranquility; together strengthening the very core philosophy of history and mythology that sustains Takshni.
Soul | A meditative piece bringing auspiciousness in the space it surrounds. Concentrating on the turmeric dot that is being held by the natural contour of a thread, helps one in becoming self -aware. Yellow color of the Manipura Chakra brings wisdom as we are being illuminated from inside out, and the outside in taking energy from the light of sun and bringing it in. |
Resonance | Consciousness can be thought of as existing at various vibrational frequencies. The sound of the conch is often associated with the awakening of consciousness. In many spiritual traditions, the blowing of the conch marks the beginning of a new phase—whether it’s the start of a ritual, a meditation session, or even the dawn of a new day. Metaphorically, the sound of the conch can be likened to the awakening of the inner self or a call to higher awareness. Just as the conch’s sound spreads out, consciousness, when awakened, begins to expand and resonate with higher truths and insights. |
Salvation | Consciousness often serves as a pathway to salvation, as it represents the deepening of awareness, wisdom, or a spiritual connection, leading to a state of liberation, fulfillment, or divine unity, depending on the tradition. Whether it's through faith, self-realization, or mindfulness, the cultivation of a higher state of consciousness seems to be key in achieving salvation. Varanasi ghats are deeply connected to the Hindu belief in salvation (moksha) through rituals, cremations, and spiritual practices. They serve as sacred spaces where life, death, and the divine are intimately intertwined, and where the ultimate goal of liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth is believed to be within reach. |
About Design Democracy 2024
Design Democracy 2024 in Hyderabad emerged as a radical rethinking of the design fair format. With the theme "Design for and by the People," the event positioned design as an accessible, collective, and socially relevant practice. It brought together craftspeople, industrial designers, technologists, and architects to reflect on how design can respond to the needs of diverse communities. The exhibition embraced hybrid formats combining traditional crafts with digital fabrication, and urban materiality with rural aesthetics. Topics such as inclusive housing, smart home technology, sustainable production, and public infrastructure were central. The event was grounded in democratic values: decentralization of expertise, participatory design methods, and regional knowledge systems. It reframed design as a shared cultural language that emerges not only from studios and institutions, but from people, landscapes, and lived histories.