Conversation

Up close with Revathi Kant

Published

9 years ago

March 12, 2016

Titan’s Revathi Kant gets up, close and personal on successfully bridging ethnic jewellery and contemporary corporate class

Revathi Kant, Associate Vice President of Design, Innovation & Development at Titan Company Limited, presented a very concrete notion about design at the the CII-NID conference in New Delhi last year. She interpreted design as a strategy that goes beyond aesthetics. Blending design and marketing, her team was the first to design ethno-contemporary jewellery, Mia by Tanishq, for Indian working women. To enter her world of design, you’ll have to close your eyes to imagine it all but when you listen to her insights, you can’t help but realise how it is an eye-opener.

You’ve been in market research for more than 10 years, what is the one thing that fascinates you about the Indian market?

If we look a few years back to where the position of India was in the global arena and where it is today, I think we have come a long way. Today, India is highly-respected globally. There is so much India can offer to a lot of us in terms of business point of view, in terms of innumerable opportunities, the sheer size of the market, even the population, disposable income and the ability to consume, the ability to know about various things – knowledge, literacy. So, I think we’re actually a melting pot of sorts with so many things happening here.

How are you able to keep a check on the pulse of customers and develop keen insights?

Initially, market research, as such, was non-existent. Today we have moved way beyond it. Consumers evolve, there are changes in their behaviour, attitude and lifestyle. It becomes essential that we understand where they are headed to create products and services which would make sense to them. Since we are a consumercentric company, we start everything with the consumer. And if you look at your overall business, they key is to identify what could be a potential opportunity.

There has been a significant rise in working women in the past decade. How did that psychographic become your inspiration?

Typically, when we look at precious jewellery it is for special occasions, such as marriages, festivals, celebrations and so on. No one really looked at jewellery for working women. Slowly, now the macro picture is changing to what is called the sheeconomy. So when ‘she’ has got the power, money and when her behaviour as a consumer has the power to influence the market, we found that it is very big. When we looked at our own category, we saw that we were not doing anything to tap into that market. Nobody in the Indian market was doing so either.

What were you able to understand and learn about jewellery designing for the Indian working women?

We had a lot of focus groups where we bring women from different backgrounds, and have a detailed discussion. We also had a lot of oneon- one sessions where we explored in depth about the needs and habits of working women. The first is convenience; it has to be easy to wear on-the-go. Next is comfort – we felt that the jewellery must be comfortable to wear. Third was the look – it had to look modern and progressive. Most women want to portray herself as more progressive than her neighbour who is a housewife. But at the same time, it cannot be ultra-modern – it has to be ethno-contemporary, a term we coined. Lastly, it has to be lightweight and affordable.

In the conference, someone quoted, “Design is like a blink in the dark.” How did you steer your sensitivity towards aesthetics?

I’m not a designer. But I’m very passionate about products, per se. I now handle the jewellery section at Tanishq, where I was handling watches. I have always been with Titan and I come from a marketing background. This has been my journey within the company. Hence I didn’t know that I was aesthetically-sensitive till I was involved in the design process. I firmly believe that design is not just to add beauty to a product, it is also to bring about a strategic intervention. It is not a superficial touch of making something beautiful but a very intrinsic part of business.

Is Design Management a fad now, or something pivotal?

I was reading an interview of Indra Nooyi, how in Pepsi they even have a Chief Design Officer who looks into all things design-related and she spoke about how the difference can be seen in the packaging, how they stand out on the shelf. It has hence become far more intrinsic, especially with a dedicated person being assigned to overlook the design aspect, who is also on the board. This means that a design person has a say in the overall strategy of the business. Many companies, including ours, are also adopting this approach. Even start-ups have taken to this approach, ensuring that good design is integral, right from the beginning.

What do you think would be the game changer apart from design?

I do not see design losing any of its core properties – whatever design stood for, such as ease, functionality, comfort, and beauty, it will continue in the future. Whoever can achieve the successful marriage of design with technology in the best possible manner, is going to be the winner.

With pressures of being the ultimate power women, has multi-tasking now gone overboard?

There are two schools of thought. One of it comes from the Theory of Constraints (TOC) which says that multi-tasking is a bad thing. At any point in time, you are doing so many things that you are not a 100 percent effective in anything. But if you look at our own life, there seems to be no way of getting away from this. I came across one very interesting terminology called ‘continuous partial engagement’. But one thing I would suggest, which I learned in my life as well is, that while you are doing that one particular thing out of, say five, give your 100 percent attention to it. Then you are able to assimilate it quickly, figure out the issues find a solution and close it and move to the next matter.

We have seen many women with leadership skills; how do you strive to the zenith and face challenges?

In my career, the important learning is not what you are doing at work, rather it is about how you do it along with the team, how you are managing your people, how you work with their strengths, collaborating with team members, and how to keep the team charged, motivated and happy. Time management and prioritising are very crucial.

How do you keep a work-life balance and manage to attain a holistic life?

I am a strong believer in alternative healing. I practice reiki and am a reiki master. I also meditate, do yoga and take morning walks. I know that if I want to do something good, the universe will help me. So I am an optimist. We all have days when we are completely stressed out. These are times when we need to pull out a little bit of time – me-time – and just be. Sometimes the ‘human
being’ becomes the ‘human doing’. So we should just be, without any expectations.

On Women’s Day
Live it up!
A Book that you’re currently
reading
Invincible Thinking by Ryuho
Okawa
If you had to write a book ,what
would you call it
“Body, Mind and Soul”
One revolutionary designer,
you give utmost respect to
There’s not really one name,
but it’s more a bunch of youngsters
who are coming out of
college. They are very talented
and I really look up to them.
If you had to sum up design in
a word
Design is Strategy.
A subject of interest
Metaphysics

Words by Atheena Wilson Transcription by Anish Shankar Photographs by Various Sources

Up Next

In Line with Her – a man’s view

Don't Miss

Gone with the Wind

Comments

Conversation

Netflix’s Cleopatra: A Controversial Provocation Egypt Could Do Without

Published

1 year ago

May 21, 2023

Keerthi Thilakan

In the realm of streaming content, Netflix’s Cleopatra has recently grabbed attention, trending on most-watched charts amidst a contrived controversy over the casting of a Black actress in the iconic titular role. Produced by Jada Pinkett-Smith, this installment is the second in her ‘African Queens’ series, which has stirred debates surrounding representation and historical accuracy. However, the current state of Egypt, grappling with numerous challenges, suggests that this provocative series is the last thing the nation needs.

The portrayal of Cleopatra has always been intertwined with fascination and debate, particularly centered around her appearance rather than her race, in historical accounts. The Hollywood industry, historically dominated by white executives, had marginalized Black talent, deeming them unmarketable and unworthy of significant roles. The industry’s limited embrace of Black stories in the past was primarily driven by profit rather than genuine progressivism.

In the case of Netflix’s Queen Cleopatra, the casting of a Black performer in the lead role was destined to ignite controversy, especially among Egyptians increasingly hostile towards Afrocentrism. However, the preceding installment of the ‘African Queens’ series, Njinga, did not generate significant interest or impact, lacking the depth to stimulate intellectual discourse.

Director Tina Gharavi’s previous works, while sincere in their storytelling, did not display visionary filmmaking challenging the conventional Anglophone documentary style. Despite this, Netflix and Pinkett-Smith effectively employed marketing tactics, leveraging the race card to generate buzz around Cleopatra, ultimately leading to its elevated position in the charts.

Disappointingly, Queen Cleopatra fails to offer any fresh insights into the Egyptian icon. The four episodes follow a predictable and formulaic narrative structure, focusing on Cleopatra’s rise and fall without delving into her race. The series, featuring medium close-up interviews with academics predominantly from American and British institutions, coupled with lackluster dramatizations, fails to engage viewers or provide an aesthetically distinct perspective.

The show’s emphasis on Cleopatra’s physical beauty and sensationalized elements aligns with Netflix’s faux-liberal gender and sexual politics, which are often presented simplistically and lacking depth. While the representation of minority groups in film and TV is an important concern, solely focusing on representation can overshadow other vital aspects, such as artistry, film history, and the political use of aesthetics.

Critics and viewers fixated on the racial depiction of Cleopatra, generating substantial media coverage and overlooking the artistic value and storytelling approaches employed in the series. Amidst the heightened racial discourse, the nuances of Egypt’s complex relationship with blackness have been lost. Egypt’s struggle with economic crises, political challenges, and external influences leaves the nation feeling helpless and disheartened.

In its current state of turmoil, Egypt seeks a savior and is grappling with collective defeat, making the Netflix provocation an unwelcome addition. The nation, deprived of agency and self-determination, holds onto its historical heritage, which has been plundered by the West for centuries. In such circumstances, a reframing of their own history, even in the form of a fictional series, elicits a strong reaction from a nation grappling with numerous challenges.

Ultimately, while the casting controversy surrounding Netflix’s Cleopatra has sparked discussions on representation and historical accuracy, Egypt’s broken state and desperate need for stability and self-determination make this provocative series an unnecessary and untimely distraction.

Conversation

Unleashing the Power: Scorpio Lunar Eclipse on May 5th Signals Major Transformation Ahead

Published

1 year ago

May 5, 2023

Keerthi Thilakan

The cosmos are gearing up for a powerful event: the May 5th lunar eclipse in Scorpio. This celestial spectacle promises to be a transformative experience that will shake us to the core. As the full moon aligns with the sun and the Earth casts its shadow, Scorpio’s dark and intense energy will be unleashed, inviting us to confront our deepest fears and desires.

Scorpio, known for its enigmatic nature and passionate intensity, is the zodiac’s most enigmatic and mysterious sign. It’s associated with death, rebirth, and transformation, making this lunar eclipse an auspicious time for letting go of old patterns and embracing a new, more authentic way of being. The Scorpio energy is all about digging deep into the shadows, exploring our subconscious minds, and facing the truth no matter how uncomfortable it may be.

During this lunar eclipse, we can expect intense emotions to surface, bringing to light buried feelings and hidden desires. Scorpio’s energy is not one to shy away from the taboo or the uncomfortable, and neither should we. It’s time to confront the parts of ourselves that we’ve been keeping hidden, and to embrace our true selves.

As we navigate this intense energy, it’s important to remember to practice self-care and self-love. Scorpio’s energy can be overwhelming, so be sure to take breaks and ground yourself when needed. The lunar eclipse is an opportunity for growth and transformation, but it’s up to us to take the necessary steps to harness this energy and make the most of this powerful celestial event.

In conclusion, the May 5th lunar eclipse in Scorpio is a powerful and transformative event that promises to shake us to our core. It’s an opportunity to face our fears, embrace our desires, and transform ourselves from the inside out. So, get ready to unleash your inner Scorpio and embrace the intensity of this celestial event.

Art

8 Best Podcasts of 2020

Published

4 years ago

November 27, 2020

Abhirami Chandran

To the people who doesn’t know what a podcast is- it’s pretty much like a radio show and is released in a streamable or downloadable format through various sites. You can access to millions of podcasts in many genres from anywhere you have internet access.

Here’s a list of podcasts for you to listen:

The Musafir Stories – India Travel Podcast

The Musafir Stories is a wonderful online podcast that talks about iconic and, in fact, all sorts of travel destinations. The podcast series is hosted by Saif Omar and Faiza Khan who talk to fellow travellers about their various adventures across India.
Available on iTunes, Google podcasts, JioSaavn, and Spotify.

https://themusafirstories.com/

Second Life

This online podcast is hosted by Hillary Kerr from the well-known fashion publication Who What Where and it chronicles the career changes of its many guests. It spotlights successful women who’ve made major career changes.

You can listen to her episodes on Apple podcast, Spotify, and Podbean.

https://www.secondlifepod.com/

In The Dark

In The Dark’s content is about uncovering the world’s most iconic crime cases. In short, it’s an investigative journalism podcast, hosted and narrated by Madeleine Baran.

You can listen to it on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, and Podbean.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/american-public-media/in-the-dark-apm

The Passion People Podcast

The Passion People Podcast is a series of conversations about following a passion and how to manifest it. There are several conversations with experts, entrepreneurs, and icons that inspire the listeners, and the show is hosted by Naga Subramanya.

You can find the podcast on Stitcher, Apple Podcast, and JioSaavn.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/naga-subramanya-b-b/the-passion-people-podcast

GayBCD

GayBCD is an online podcast that seeks to understand what it means to be queer in today’s time. It’s hosted by Sunetro Lahiri and Farhad Karkaria and is created by IVM Podcasts. You can expect to find funny and comforting discussions about coming out and how a sense of humour, wisdom, and parlance play such an important role in understanding yourself better as a person.

This podcast series is easily available on YouTube, Stitcher, JioSaavn, and Apple Podcast.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/indus-vox/gaybcd

Harry Potter at Home

Harry Potter At Home is a new series by the Wizarding World that has famous names from entertainment, music, and sports reading chapters from Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone, and the magic is still alive. They currently have the first two chapters out – the first by Daniel Radcliffe and the second by Noma Dumezweni.

You can listen to the series on Spotify and a video version is available on Wizarding World.

https://open.spotify.com/show/2JUljwaD9fNSeq8Vy3UAUp

Maed in India

Maed in India prides itself on being India’s first indie music podcast and features conversations with, well, independent musicians from India and abroad. From unreleased music to unknown music stories, they have it all. It’s great for discovering new music, too.

You can listen to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, JioSaavn, Podbean, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.

https://maedinindia.fanlink.to/podcast

The Corner Flag

Indian fans of the European and Worldwide football can rejoice in this chat show about sports with comedian Amogh Ranadive. If you like hearing commentary on the latest Premiere league (or other) antics with an Indian twist this might just be the Indian chat show for you.