Taana Baana: Reimagining Craft Through Light

FDT Bureau

Designed by Deepika Gupta, Taana Baana brings together Rajasthan’s traditional lac-bangle craft and wood-lathe turning in a contemporary floor lamp that explores how heritage techniques can evolve through new applications.

Standing at 5'6", Taana Baana combines two traditional craft practices from Rajasthan—lac-bangle making and wood-lathe turning—into a contemporary lighting piece. Its base is turned on a lathe from reclaimed wood that was once considered unsuitable for fine furniture. The smooth, rounded contours of the base draw from the forms of handcrafted furniture while paying homage to the region’s woodturners.

A dual-light system rises from the wooden base. A soft mood light is positioned at the core, while the primary light is diffused through a lampshade inspired by architectural arches. The shade is made from braided lac, the same resin traditionally shaped into bangles by artisan families of Maniharo ka Rasta in Jaipur. Here, the material is interwoven into a delicate, jali-like lattice that transforms the familiar craft into a new application.

When illuminated from within, the braided lac shade casts intricate shadows reminiscent of those found in a Rajasthani haveli. Bands of coloured lac wrap around the frame, adding rich hues to the structure. The braided section is also modular and can be lifted away from the wooden body, allowing the shade to be changed over time with different colours or patterns.

For Deepika Gupta, the idea behind Taana Baana goes beyond creating a decorative object. The lamp explores how a traditional craft can move beyond its conventional use while retaining its identity. By translating bangle-making into contemporary lighting, the design seeks to open new avenues for artisan skills and preserve craft knowledge through innovation rather than replication.

An interior architect from Rajasthan, Gupta is drawn to the relationship between spaces, human perception and emotion. Her design approach bridges heritage and modernity, with a focus on social, cultural and emotional contexts. She works across traditional crafts, collaborating directly with artisans to translate heritage techniques into contemporary, functional objects. Her approach is centred on allowing traditional skills to evolve and remain relevant to contemporary ways of living.

Contact Details:
Name- Deepika Gupta
Phone no.- 7792096689
Email- gdeepika.work@gmail.com