Weaving Strands Of Success

As Principal Designer of one of India’s most well known design studios, Mahesh Borse has revolutionized the home décor industry. Decades of experience and a flair for looking beyond textiles to a complete business strategy help him make Mahesh Borse Designs a name to reckon with.

- Mahesh Borse

What was your earliest exposure to design?

MB: I belong to Nashik, a small city in Maharashtra. As a child I was always interested in drawing, painting and handicrafts. Many people influenced me in my formative years, including my drawing teachers in school, and some seniors who could draw well. I used to pass a signboard painter on my way to school and I would watch him paint for hours. In those days there were street artists who could draw and color large images of gods and goddesses on the surfaces of roads with chalk within just a couple of hours. The proportions were perfect. I was really fascinated by this art form.

My maternal grandmother used to do khadi printing (similar to block printing) on old re-dyed saris to earn some additional money to support the family. I often watched her doing it. There were also a few handloom weavers staying near my house in Nashik and I would watch them weave fine cotton saris. These are the early influences that shaped my mind towards pursuing a creative profession.

How did that develop into a passion for weaving?