Prashantini’s art turns everyday memories into handcrafted keepsakes, brimming with nostalgia.
1. Tell us a little about yourself—who you are, what you do, and how art became a part of your journey.
I’m Prashantini, keeper of memories and anything handmade.
I’m the founder of Ink by Prashantini Raj and an early childhood educator. Art has been an inseparable part of my life since childhood. I’ve always had a natural inclination toward making things by hand,a quiet compulsion to create, to shape, and to express through craft. Every piece I make carries fragments of memories I hold close. Art, to me, is a form of meditation- it keeps me grounded, centred, and constantly inspired.
2. Art isn’t just something we see—it’s something we live with. How does art seep into your daily life? And what does art mean to you?
Art, for me, is in the rhythm of everyday things, in how sunlight falls on a brass vessel, or the texture of a handwoven towel drying. It seeps into the way I arrange my workspace, or the patience with which I layer a piece of clay or thread. Art is not separate from life, it’s how I observe, slow down, and make sense of moments.
3. Why do you think handcrafted art matters today more than ever?
In today’s fast-moving world, handcrafted art serves as a gentle reminder to slow down.
It carries the warmth of human touch and the beauty of imperfection things that machines can never replicate. Each handmade piece comes from the heart, shaped by time, care, and emotion. In a world of mass production, handcrafted art reminds us of authenticity, connection, and the quiet value of things made with intention.
4. How many years have you been practicing this craft?
I’ve been creating under Ink by Prashantini Raj since 2022, though my experiments with materials, textures, and design began much earlier during my architecture years. Each phase has added a layer to how I understand form, rhythm, and storytelling.
5. What makes an artist an artist? (like who can call themselves an artist/what counts as being an artist)
An artist is someone who imagines deeply and expresses it in their own way.
It’s about seeing the world a little differently and translating that vision through creativity. An artist is constantly observing, wondering, and thinking about what they can create next not out of pressure, but out of a natural curiosity.
6. What does being an artist/brand that sells art mean to you?
To me, it’s about sharing emotions through objects creating something that can hold a story for someone else. As a brand, I don’t just sell products; I offer pieces that make people remember, reconnect, or smile quietly. It’s about bringing meaning back into things we use and gift.
7. How long does it usually take to create one piece from start to finish?
It usually takes about two to four days for a piece to take shape.
Each product goes through several thoughtful stages , from wedging and shaping the clay, to painting, detailing, and finally coating it with resin for strength and finish. Every step takes time and patience, and that slow process is what gives each piece its unique character and charm.
8. What drew you to the medium(s) you work with?
It’s been years of experimenting and exploring different mediums.
I’ve always been curious on how different mediums can come together in unexpected ways. I still keep experimenting , combining different forms, textures, and techniques to see how each conversation between materials can create something new. That exploration keeps the process alive and evolving.
9. How do you see art products being perceived in an Indian market?
The Indian market is slowly opening up to art that’s personal and emotional, something beyond décor or utility. People are beginning to value pieces that hold meaning, especially handmade ones that reflect culture and care. There’s still a journey ahead, but I see growing appreciation for stories behind the art.
10. From names like Nandri cards, Kuruvi brooch, and Drishti keychain to notebooks inspired by silk sarees, it is clear that language and culture play such a central role in your work. How do you decide which memories or traditions find their way into each piece?
Most of them come from lived memories, little fragments of home, festivals, or childhood sights that stay with me. I don’t consciously pick; they find me when I’m creating. Sometimes it’s the color of an old saree, a word my grandmother used often, or the sound of a bird that used to visit our terrace. These details shape each piece naturally.
11. Your art turns the ordinary into keepsakes. What draws you to transforming everyday objects into something emotional and timeless?
I’ve always been drawn to the little things people usually overlook. There’s a certain charm in the ordinary - an old matchbox, a saree border, a paper boat. When I turn them into keepsakes, it feels like I’m reliving those memories. It’s my way of holding on to memories and emotions that might otherwise fade away.
12. Since your pieces generate such warmth and nostalgia, what do you hope someone feels when they hold or receive an Ink by Prashantini Raj product for the first time?
I hope they pause. Smile softly.
Maybe remember something familiar, a memory they thought they had forgotten, or a person they want to gift it to. I want my pieces to spark that quiet warmth, where someone feels seen, nostalgic, and happy enough to smile and share it forward.
13. Is there a song that captures the spirit of your work or something you love listening to while creating?
There isn’t one particular song.
I usually just let random songs play in the background, or sometimes have Friends or Modern Family running while I work. I like a bit of familiar noise around me something light and comforting that keeps me company while I create.
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