Ahalya

S. Ahalya, co-founder of Rasvihar, trained the traditional Indian way in dance and fine art, and is certified by the International Gemmology Institute.

She insists that jewellery should have style, substance, and soul; if it is to communicate and be relevant to the user’s life.

All her jewellery is proudly hand-made by master craftsmen; so every piece she designs is authentic and precious, individual and unique.

Ahalya is rooted in tradition, but she’s not bound by it. As she explains: “Classical Indian music, dance, art … all have well-defined structures which lend themselves to endless experimentation.”

She uses her extensive knowledge of Indian jewellery as the starting point for her work, which is startlingly original and entirely attuned to evolving global aesthetics.

“People are my inspiration,” says Ahalya, “so I see no contradiction between my artistic urges and my clients’ needs. All my jewellery is designed with a specific person in mind – not necessarily someone I’ve met. Many times, I’d make jewellery that was inspired by a particular person, and soon enough that same person would walk in and claim the piece for her own.”

Such synchronicities can be meaningful. And Ahalya values her intuition, which is what guides her to explore uncharted artistic terrain.

Ahalya works within a very precise set of rules, actually; but she feels it liberates her to innovate in a way that resonates with changing times.

And that is entirely in keeping with the artistic traditions of India.