My Den — Sujata Dharap

The staircase comes to an end in the front of a small black door set against a red and green wall. The low door that comprises four separate sections opens up to reveal a novel work place flooded with natural light. This streams in from the five skylights punctuating the ceiling as also two massive square windows that take up most of the wall space.

“As an artist it was very important for me to have lots of natural light so that I can make out every colour clearly, reveals Sujata who has been the creative brain behind her studio with hubby Jayant, a landscapist and an architect, provided the technical back up. “For six months I pondered over the studio and its drawings possibilities till one day Sujata lost her patience and her cool-after that it took me precisely five hours to have all the sketchings ready,” grins Jayant.

The left wall of the studio is semi-circular in shape with a rough texture woven onto it by Sujata who took up a wire brush during the plastering stage and casually moved it all across the wall to create abstract and unusual patterns on it – much to the anguish of the contractor!

To facilitate her desire for lots of space the centre portion of the studio has been left bare with half the floor tiled with kota stone, given Sujata’s preference for working while squatting on the floor.

There is also a glass topped working table that reflects the skylight directly above it to perfection. “Sometimes when I am working I can see a bird flying across the skylight or one sitting on it for a moment leaving behind its tiny footprints and its really beautiful,” smiles Sujata adding that ever since the studio came up she has managed to almost double her work output.

The skylights spread all over the roof further lead to varying degrees of light and shadow play in the little room keeping with the movement of the sun during the day.

“We deliberately kept the entrance door low in height so that everyone has to bend down while entering. You could say this is an extension of the concept of work being worship and your place of work akin to a temple,” concludes the talented artist reiterating her commitment and devotion towards her art.