Ceramist Adil Writer finds "fossilized customs unnecessary,” but he enjoys stepping back and witnessing Parsi rituals and the "accompanying doses of folklore.” Communicating on May 1, 2023 with Parsiana about his new series of collectibles — Farohar platters and panels, treasure boxes and ses sets that are available in Bombay in couturier Ashdeen Lilaowala’s Colaba store, Ashdeen, the artist said, "I’ve aimed to create objects that are pleasing and harmonious to the eye… There’s also a sense of piety and holiness embedded into each.”
A lover of the items in his mother Piloo Langrana’s home, collected on her visits overseas, Writer said he is intrigued by objects of daily use of his childhood that are becoming extinct. "So much of ‘us’ will be lost forever,” he rues. But the artist says there is "universal interest” in the collectibles he creates in his Auroville studio based on Langrana’s artefacts. "The younger generation likes my contemporary interpretation of ceremonial objects. And I love how people make these objects a part of their life. Someone will put a small garland around (his ceramic ses) or add it to a larger silver tray with more objects. It becomes a modern heirloom and I find that beautiful.”
Clockwise from above l: ceramic ses and platter; Adil Writer; Ashdeen Lilaowala;
Ashdeen’s Oriental ceramics inspired gara
The artist is currently fascinated by the chalk no dabbo and is planning on designing and executing wall murals which are "very thin, translucent, backlit to highlight the pin holed designs of flowers, fish and roosters… I am looking for a wealthy Parsi to fund this,” he laughed.
"I have always wanted to collaborate with Lilaowala, using his gara motifs for impressions on clay to make an exclusive series with him, but that has not happened as yet… I also want to do a series of ceramic tableware with the old guipure lace designs I grew up seeing fashionable Parsi ladies wearing decades ago… Whatever happened to them? I need to get my hands on them for this series.”
Lilaowala told us on May 1 that "those who know me know that I am a passionate collector of ceramics…Our recent collection of garas was in fact inspired by Oriental ceramics… Writer has been a friend of many years and I am lucky to own pieces that have been handcrafted by him… Much like him, I am also drawn to my Zoroastrian heritage and love telling stories about this culture through textiles, images and objects.
"When we started the Colaba store (see "Ashdeen’s artistry,” Parsiana, September 21-October 6, 2022) I wanted it to be more than just a store… a venue where people interested in culture, art, history could gather… Both the location and design of the store lend themselves to this kind of purpose… It’s only fitting then to launch this collection of ceramics at the Bombay store. The beauty of these objects has to be experienced in person.” He commended Writer’s technique which layers different glazes atop each item, which ensures its uniqueness. Price range of the items is between Rs 2,500 to 15,000.
Writer can be contacted on +91 9443029539. Lilaowala’s store: Ashdeen, 7, BEST Marg, Colaba, Bombay 400001.