<
https://www.positive.news/lifestyle/arts/an-indian-design-brand-turns-waste-into-sustainable-accessories/>
"When Rihanna perched on a striking black ‘flap chair’ at flagship design fair
Design Miami 2024, the image went viral. The pop star’s choice of seat wasn’t
just about style: it carried with it the story of Chamar Studio, a design
collective from Mumbai’s slums. The annual showcase of contemporary furniture
and objects had put the marginalised Dalit community on the international
stage.
For centuries, Dalits – historically labelled ‘untouchables’ – occupied the
lowest rung of India’s caste hierarchy. Excluded from education and public
life, many were restricted to low-status work. Although such discrimination was
abolished by the Indian constitution in 1950, prejudice continues. Between
January and June 2025 alone, 113 caste-based attacks were reported nationwide.
Among Dalits, the word Chamar traditionally referred to leatherworkers, but was
weaponised as a slur. “Growing up in Mumbai slums, I used to be cursed as
‘Chamar,’” recalls Sudheer Rajbhar. He’s a Dalit artist from Uttar Pradesh, the
founder of Chamar Studio and designer of the flap chair. “Today I embrace the
word that once degraded me, using my art.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
