Creative Spark-plug

Varijashree Venugopal could identify ragas before she could form sentences. Today she's a Grammy-nominated singer and flautist who treats her voice as her first instrument - and the flute as her second voice. In this episode, Varijashree shares her journey: growing up in a household where music was her "first mother tongue," the discipline behind the talent, building her own syllabus...

What does it really take to survive as a creative professional? In this episode of Creative Spark Plug, we speak with Karunesh Vir Vohra, a fashion and retail expert who has worked across design, branding, strategy, consulting, and entrepreneurship for more than 30 years. He shares:•⁠ ⁠how he went from selling chicken feed to working in fashion,•⁠ ⁠why most creative people fail financially,•⁠ ⁠how...

What does it take to become a successful artist? In this episode of Creative Spark Plug, artist Nidhi Mariam Jacob shares her journey from studying medicine to becoming one of India’s most recognizable contemporary botanical artists. She talks about:•⁠ ⁠Choosing creativity over a conventional career•⁠ ⁠Rebuilding life after divorce•⁠ ⁠Raising two children while making art•⁠ ⁠Becoming financially i...

A real conversation with architect Virendra Kumar Girdhar. He shares his life journey from studying architecture in India to working in the USA and coming back to build his own practice. In this episode, you will learn: Why following your values matters more than money The truth about working abroad vs IndiaWhy creativity is dying today How architects and designers should think This episode is for...

This episode is about life, creativity, and finding your path. Surender Gnanaolivu shares how he went from the Indian Air Force to building a creative career — without a design background. He talks about: Why discipline is more important than talent How creativity is NOT just art Why most people misunderstand success How to build confidence, courage, and purpose If you feel confused about your car...

In this episode of Creative Spark Plug, we talk to Keith Pillow, founder of a global design studio working across architecture, interiors, product and branding. He didn’t follow a traditional path. He didn’t even become a licensed architect. He designs for YOUR story. Keith tells us about the ingredients that form the basis of his creative fundamentals. We discuss his process, his milestones, his...

Design is not just about aesthetics - it can shape businesses, cultures, and even nations. Today, we sit down with Jacob Mathew, entrepreneur, designer, and one of the founding forces behind some of India’s most influential design practices, including Tesseract and Idiom Design. From growing up in Singapore and Trivandrum to studying at the National Institute of Design, Jacob’s journey reveals how...

What happens when design meets entrepreneurship meets impact? In this episode of Creative Spark, we sit down with Neelam Chhiber to explore her 40-year journey across design, rural craft ecosystems, social enterprise, and institution building. From starting a retail venture with ₹20,000… To raising investment capital… To shutting down a for-profit model… To building a nonprofit working with 1 mill...

Why do so many talented creatives feel stuck? Why do great ideas fail before they even begin? And how do you know when to keep going—or when to stop? In this episode of Creative Spark Plug , we sit down with Gautam Kotamraju — designer, entrepreneur, and one of the early minds behind Myntra ’s private brands like Roadster — to talk about the real journey of building from 0 to 1. This is not a moti...

What if creative work isn’t meant to scale? What if depth matters more than visibility? In this episode, Nilanjan P. Choudhury talks about choosing meaning over momentum. Nilanjan P. Choudhury has lived multiple lives – corporate professional, published author, playwright, educator, and lifelong student of science and storytelling. In this conversation, we explore: Why most creative work is painfu...

This episode of Creative Spark-Plug is for people who have built skills, careers, or companies — and are now questioning how they think, design, and decide. In this conversation, Vittaldas Kashyap shares an unconventional journey from interior design to becoming a global UX and design leader — not through degrees or frameworks, but through curiosity, boldness, and deep empathy for users and people...

Creativity is often misunderstood as execution - doing more, producing faster, wearing multiple hats. In this episode of Creative Spark-plug, we sit with Sandeep Nanu to explore a more mature idea of creativity - one rooted in judgment, restraint, and sensing what truly matters. Sandeep shares his journey from early web design to building an unconventional brand consultancy model - not by doing ev...

In this episode, Architect Siddhartha Rao, gives us an insider’s POV on how architecture works in India and shares his personal experiences of being at, and at the helm of it. In his own efficient style, his narrative is easy to listen to, comprehend and soak in. There’s context, insight & real life example or factual data! He makes it sound that simple! Give this episode a listen for a peek i...

Mukul Goyal is one of India’s most iconic product designers — known for turning everyday objects into playful, sculptural experiences. In this episode of Creative Spark-plug , we dive into his unique design philosophy rooted in Indian identity and an unwavering commitment to making things with joy and sincerity. From his early days experimenting with materials to building a globally recognised des...

What happens when curiosity becomes a lifelong practice? In Part 2 of this Creative Spark-plug conversation, hosts Rajesh Sharma and Baashobe Majumdar continue their deep dive with designer and storyteller Samrat Som—this time moving further into the ideas and influences that shape his creative worldview. Samrat reflects on how travel, culture, and lived experiences shape his design decisions, and...

What happens when curiosity refuses to stay in one lane? In this episode of Creative Spark-plug, hosts Rajesh Sharma and Baashobe Majumdar have a conversation with Samrat Som - a designer, storyteller and thinker whose journey moves effortlessly from economics to fashion and textiles, and into the broader world of design and creativity. Samrat shares how his early influences, mentors, and experien...

In this episode of Creative Spark Plug, we sit down with the visionary sculptor and founder Divyendu Anand, whose hands breathe life into stone and metal, transforming raw materials into profound expressions of the human spirit. As the creative force behind Studio Renaissance; a sanctuary dedicated to blending timeless artistry with contemporary design, Divyendu opens up about his journey from con...

In this episode of Creative Spark Plug, we sit down with Parminder Pal Singh, affectionately known as Bubbles, co-founder of LOCO Design and pioneer of luxury accessories brands like Pintark, Taamaa, and the newly launched sustainable line Caur. Bubbles opens up about his formative childhood, the nurturing yet demanding environment that sparked his creative drive, and the formidable challenges he...

In today’s episode Science Behind Sculpture, we sit down with renowned sculptor Kalyan Singh Rathore, whose masterful creations blend creativity with precision. Let’s learn the techniques, materials, and scientific principles that shape Kalyan’s stunning sculptures, unraveling the secrets behind transforming raw materials into breathtaking works of art. From physics to craftsmanship, discover what...

Join us on Creative Sparkplug as we dive into the soulful world of Sheridan Brass, a UAE-based Indian country music singer whose "cowboy spirit" is captivating audiences worldwide. From his roots in South India to his vibrant performances in the UAE, Sheridan shares his journey of embracing the country genre, blending it with his unique cultural perspective. Discover how he’s breaking ne...

This time, we sit down with Krishnarao Jaisim, the visionary architect behind Jaisim-Fountainhead, whose bold approach to design and eco-conscious philosophy has reshaped India’s architectural landscape. Inspired by Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead and, later, J. Krishnamurthi, Jaisim shares his remarkable life journey. We have stories from his early days, challenging conventions, to founding a firm th...

Today, we dive into the world of Sandeep Sangaru, a visionary multidisciplinary designer, educator, and entrepreneur whose passion for Indian crafts has redefined contemporary design. As the founder of Sangaru Design Studio (2004) and Sangaru Design Objects Pvt. Ltd. (2010), Sandeep has championed the revival of traditional crafts like bamboo, wood, Pinjrakari, Khatamband, and Channapatna wood-lac...

We had an inspiring chat with Milind Nulkar , Co-founder and Managing Director of the Centre for Design Excellence (CDE) , where passion meets purpose in architecture and design! In this episode, Milind shares his life journey shaping unique, practical, and modern spaces across India — from stunning hotels and resorts to smart housing solutions. With a contagious zest for life and work, he reveals...

In this episode of Creative Spark Plug, we sit down with Anand Puri, co-founder of the Centre for Design Excellence (CDE India), to unpack his journey in architecture and design. From founding a leading consultancy in Bangalore to navigating the complexities of family-run firms and nepotism, Anand shares candid insights on creating meaningful designs and thriving in India’s creative hub. We discus...

Today, hosts Rajesh and Baashobe sit down with Vijay Narnapatti , a visionary architect and co-founder of mayaPRAXIS , a Bangalore-based design studio known for its innovative and thoughtful approach to architecture, urban design, and interiors. Vijay takes listeners on a journey through his life, from his formative years at the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) in Delhi to pursuing a Mast...