Prachi Popat Interview
Prachi Popat is a Mumbai-based content creator and researcher exploring Indian craft traditions through design, history, and visual storytelling. With a background in Communication Design and Curatorial Studies, she makes cultural learning accessible while amplifying the voices of artisans and preserving craft narratives.
Q. What first made you interested in Indian art, craft, and textile traditions?
I’ve always been that art kid in class - deeply drawn to painting, drawing, writing, poetry, and anything remotely creative. My fascination with craft truly began when I was miles away from home, studying design at university in Vancouver, and searching for ways to reconnect with my heritage through art.
While I had been immersed in Western principles of art and design, I found myself yearning to explore traditions that felt closer to home. During my third year, I chose the Bagh motif for an assignment centred around prints and patterns, and that decision led me down a rabbit hole I’ve continued to fall deeper into ever since.
Indian craft traditions possess an extraordinary language of visual communication, and I genuinely believe they deserve a place in design academia alongside movements like the Bauhaus.
Q. Your content mixes fashion, history, and storytelling beautifully - how do you research each topic before making a post or reel?
My research almost always begins with a physical encounter with a craft. It could happen at a craft fair, in a hidden thrift store while travelling, or during a live demonstration with artisans. My curiosity is usually sparked by wanting to understand how and where a particular tradition originated.
I often apply the design-thinking approach I learnt in university and study these crafts as systems of visual communication. From there, my research expands into academic papers, archival material, and craft documentation.
What matters most to me, however, is communicating these stories in a way that feels warm, accessible, and conversational - almost like an overly enthusiastic friend excitedly sharing her newest obsession. Because, truthfully, that’s exactly what it is.
Q. Which Indian art form or craft tradition do you think deserves much more global attention right now?
I’ve been absolutely obsessed with Kala Cotton lately - an indigenous cotton strain native to Kutch, which is also where I’m from. I recently visited my friend Chaman Bhai at his workshop in Bhujodi, where he walked me through the entire process - from hand-picking and spinning the cotton to dyeing and weaving it into an incredible range of textiles, from airy fabrics to denims.
I genuinely believe the next major wave in sustainable fashion will centre around Kala Cotton. More importantly, I want people to recognise and appreciate artisans like Chaman Bhai, who are not only preserving traditional practices but also creating original contemporary designs and collections from them.
Q. How do you balance aesthetics and educational value while creating content for Instagram?
For me, value always comes first. The aesthetics of a video honestly depend on how much time I have left to edit it. I don’t overthink making everything visually perfect because I know that if I show up authentically - with genuine energy and passion for what I’m talking about - people will naturally want to listen.
Q. Has there been a piece of art, museum visit, or cultural experience that completely changed your perspective on design?
My artisan visits across Kutch continue to be my greatest source of inspiration. The people I meet there are extraordinarily kind, innovative, and honestly years ahead of our time when it comes to fashion and design thinking.
One particularly memorable experience was meeting Geeta Ben Rabari in Sumrasar, who works extensively with Kutchi embroidery traditions. She collaborates with several women in her village, helping preserve these age-old crafts while simultaneously contemporising them into products like bag charms and wall art - pieces that younger generations actively want to use and buy today.
These artisans embody design thinking far better than most people realise. They are not merely “case studies”; they are visionary entrepreneurs, innovators, and cultural preservers who deserve far greater recognition for the role they play in safeguarding our histories.
Q. Many young creators want to enter the art and culture space online - what skills or mindset helped you grow your platform?
I think it’s incredibly important to work collaboratively with the actual preservers of these traditions and consciously use our platforms to amplify their voices alongside our own.
One of the biggest lessons for me has been understanding that we have far more to learn from artisans than we often assume. Remaining open, humble, and genuinely willing to learn has shaped not only my platform, but also my entire perspective.
Q. If you could collaborate with any designer, museum, or artist in the world, who would it be and why?
Honestly, my dream collaborations are with all my artisan friends.
I would love to create conceptual fashion pieces with them for major global events. If I ever attend the Met Gala, you can be absolutely certain I’ll be wearing creations by Chaman Bhai and Champa Ben. More than anything, I want to bring these artisans onto podcasts, media platforms, and global conversations - not only to showcase their immense talent, but also to let the world experience their warmth, personalities, and stories firsthand.
Bio:
Prachi Popat is a Mumbai-based content creator and researcher exploring craft traditions through academic and design-led perspectives, making cultural learning engaging and accessible. With a bachelor’s degree in Communication Design and Curatorial Studies, her work spans art history, contemporary art, and fashion.
Interviewed By: Gunjan Joshi
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