Getting candid with Akila Seshasayee and Pankaj Kehr

This duo tells us what makes them tick as they carry on the Indian tradition of storytelling

-  MALLIKA DALAL

As expressed so beautifully in their products, Akila Seshasayee and Pankaj Kehr, co-founders of Toile Indienne, have always had a lifelong interest in textiles, art, architecture and interiors. They also share an appreciation for timelessness, culture and history, which makes their coming together even more synchronistic. Akila, a trained graphic designer, leans towards detailed and beautifully crafted products that transform into “treasures because of the stories they contain.” Pankaj, whose mother was a princess of the Tripura royal family, patrons of the Bengal School, instilled in him a deep respect for the arts and ancient Indian and contemporary history. Lengthy conversations between Akila and Pankaj on all their common ground soon led to the creation of Toile Indienne, whose captivating fabrics and wallpapers tell the stories of India with ingenuity and delight. 

What was the genesis of your practice? Where does the name come from?