“Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.” — Matsuo Basho
PAYANAM, which translates to “journey” in Tamil, is a textile collection inspired by the opulent heritage of Chettinad, Tamil Nadu, and the lavish lifestyles of its well-traveled individuals. PAYANAM weaves together the elegant aesthetics of grand mansions with a global tapestry of influences, including elements of classical architecture from Europe, vibrant gemstones from Burma, and the intricate Minton tiles that inspired the famous Athangudi tiles. Each piece in this collection reflects a rich cultural mosaic that transports you to a world of grandeur and nostalgia, adorned with murals of mythological characters like yali and peacocks that further enrich the narrative.
Central to the collection are the hand-woven textures that serve as its foundation. The experimentation with yarns creates a striking play of monochromatic linen, forming bold checkered patterns set against a base of metallic zari. Other textiles feature complex plain weaves, consisting of one linen and one zari yarn paired together in the warp, woven with a zari weft to create a unique drape. Check patterns mimic the blueprints of Chettinad mansions, while their vivid colors draw inspiration from the surrounding landscape. Classic South Indian borders and sari layouts are reimagined in fine linens, showcasing innovative materiality. The collection also celebrates the art of hand embroidery and appliqué. Each textile tells a story of comfort and festive spirit, with iconic horses of Chettinad and mythological chimeras adding intricate layers of detail.
Metallic textiles paint a festive narrative on a subtle canvas of clean silhouettes. The apparel range showcases safari jacket sets and skirts influenced by Dravidian drapes. Each dress not only highlights the beauty of the textile but also maintains versatility for various occasions. The range offers a modern twist on classic designs, ensuring cultural significance while translating visual inspiration into contemporary wear. The Silhouettes like high slit tunics with trousers and safari coats are inspired by the south east asian clothing of that era ,
PAYANAM creates a harmonious celebration of Chettinad’s rich heritage and artistry, inviting you to embark on a journey through its vibrant and enchanting legacy.
Sheetal Zaveri
At Sheetal Zaveri, we design and create fine jewellery that is artisanal, intricate and timeless. Handcrafted by Hyderabadi karigars with the finest materials including antique elements and modern finishes, our one-of-a-kind pieces can be adorned in versatile ways to create a unique statement each time. Our exquisite products include earrings, necklaces, chokers, chains, bracelets, rings, belts and more. With delicate details, signature motifs and a legacy of heritage blended with contemporary nuance, our jewellery is intricately handcrafted out of pure 92.5% sterling silver and dipped in gold polish for a distinct, dual-toned look. Our designs often harmonise unique intricacies alongside silver such as pearls, jade, rubies, coloured glass and precious beads.
About Sheetal:
“It takes a resolute spirit and future ready vision to carry forward a trusted legacy, whilst also carving a niche for yourself in the annals of history.”
This ethos aptly echoes Sheetal Zaveri’s journey from being the grand daughter-in-law of Vithal Das Zaveri – founder of the long trusted brand ‘Vithaldas Zaveri Jewellers’ – to starting her own jewellery line called ‘Sheetal Zaveri’, which was formally launched in 2018.
The epitome of integrity which ‘Vithaldas Zaveri Jewellers’ carries, goes back to when Sir Vithal Das himself used to be a personal advisor to the Nizams and the Rajas of Hyderabad. His aesthetic sensibilities and penchant for creating fine pieces de resistance were unparalleled. Today his grandson, and Sheetal Zaveri’s husband, Hitesh Zaveri is harnessing computer technology to add a next gen sparkle to the jewellery design process.
So when Sheetal married into a family that’s been in the jewellery business for over 200 years, it was only natural for her to be drawn to the lineage and the history of Indian jewellery that reflects our country’s rich culture. However, she sought to bring in her own personality into the pieces by creating something new from the old, broken, incomplete or single pieces lying around in the family workshop. Blending the contemporary with tradition, she designed pieces which resonated with her and received appreciation and encouragement from her loved ones to start her own line.
‘Vithaldas Sheetal Zaveri’ stands tall on two counts. The collection features elegant two-toned jewellery that’s a combination of exquisite antique pieces and 92.5% silver articles dipped in gold polish. The result is a unique fusion of vintage and modernity that as Sheetal describes “is the way most Indians are- modern in appearance but having traditional values hidden inside them”. Her designs are an apt metaphor for the 21st century Indian consumer.
Today, the brand Vithaldas Sheetal Zaveri looks towards the future, driven by a resolute commitment to carry the family legacy forward by ensuring that her brand appeals to the next generation of their existing clientele with designs that serve both as everyday accessories as well as timeless heirlooms.
