Inspired by the autorickshaw

Canthe autorickshaw's visual language and workmanship inspire a young designer's bespoke furniture range? Brian de Souza has the details about this exciting and unique collection.

- Brian de Souza

Xavier seen with a trio of autorickshaws that he clad in designs that would influence the Aakaar range.

When Jeevan L Xavier, 42, moved to Bengaluru in 2006, he was clear that he would not use personal transport but take an autorickshaw to work. At that time, he could not have known the influence that a three-wheeler would have on his work as a young designer. Hundreds of trips later, travelling in these three-wheelers became an immersive experience as he noticed their workmanship and design. Then he acquired a camera phone, and began clicking away.

He gradually got to know that the process of making autorickshaw interiors was elaborate, and that there was a juxtaposing of LED lights, quilting, stitching and cutting, and all by people with absolutely no training. As Xavier describes the rickshaw's design template, "the paintings at the vehicle's rear window, posters or rexine interiors had developed its own visual language that was eclectic, hybrid and collaborative in its making".