Such are the feelings experienced by people who visit Kanha Shanti Vanam, the headquarters of the Heartfulness Institute. It was there that we at Studio Patang had set up a stall to display our art products and actively engage with people through custom-made items created on the spot. The latter was favoured by three tourists from Greece, who, fascinated with the Indian Gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, wanted clothing featuring their divine symbols. To meet their needs we designed three T-shirts, one for each God respectively.
We began with a deep dive into Indian philosophy, identifying elements that truly honoured these deities. Through rigorous sketching, we experimented with different compositions, after which we finally decided on a universal format that would remain consistent on all the T-shirts: a unified layout featuring dual-colour palettes, central illustrations, chants in authentic Vedic fonts, and sleeves detailed with specific symbols.
The yellow-coloured T-shirt featured the mantra, “Om Brahmane Namah.” The “Om” symbol was painted a dark crimson to represent power and passion, often used in tilak markings on the forehead. The rest of the mantra was coloured a classic red, associating it with the Rajas Guna of activity and creation. Above the mantra was a depiction of the Vedas, representing the transmission of wisdom from Lord Brahma. The sleeve bands showcased the Lotus, referring to the flower Lord Brahma holds in his hand, symbolising pure knowledge rising from the darkness.
The Vishnu inspired T-shirt was blue and bore the mantra, “Om Vishnave Namah.” The “Om” symbol was painted in a yellow hue, signifying harmony and compassion. The second part of the mantra was coloured in white, linking it to the Sattva Guna which signifies peace and balance. The Vaishnava tilak, painted above the mantra, symbolises purity and the connection to all beings. The sleeve bands featured a Conch (Shankh) that is seen in Lord Vishnu’s hand. It represents the cosmic ocean, and the continuity of existence and of the universe.
This brown-coloured T-shirt carried the powerful chant, “Om Namah Shivaya.” The “Om” symbol was painted in the vermillion (Bhagwa) hue, the colour associated with spiritual renunciation (Vairagya). The rest of the mantra was painted ash-white, relating it to the Tamas Guna or basal energies. Above the mantra was the third eye, representing enlightenment and the balance that comes from destruction — a constant cycle of renewal, of transformation. The sleeve bands were painted with a design of the crescent moon, referring to the one on Lord Shiva’s head which symbolises control over time and the cycles of life.
Kshitij Birdi
“We met Studio Patang (in Kanha Shanti Vanam) and we are very very happy with their work. They are excellent, as artists and as people, and the outcome is more than our expectations.”
Community-driven creativity
crafted with culture.
