REINCARNATION
Chakra
Katha
In the eternal rhythm of life: where beginnings and endings intertwine, Chakra Katha-Reincarnation through the spin of a toy, unfolds. Inspired by the rich heritage of Channapatna Toys, a traditional craft celebrated for its intricate woodwork and spinning forms, this project explores the cycles of birth, life, death, and rebirth. It invites audiences to reflect on the power of continuity, the beauty of rebirth, and the interconnectedness of our past, present, and future.
Year: 2023
Type: Master's Project
Based on: Research and Manufacturing Led
Chakra Katha
CONTEXT
Reincarnation, also known as "samsara," is a fundamental principle in Buddhism and Hinduism. It symbolizes the never-ending journey of the soul, including the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. The belief holds that the soul is eternal and changes bodies after death, traveling through multiple lifetimes. The enchanting world of storytelling has captivated me since childhood. As I snuggled under the covers, my grandmother's soothing voice would weave tales filled with wonder and wisdom. These bedtime stories, along with narratives, were not just stories, they served as the cornerstones for my idea of ethics, duties, and life, altogether defining the cultural cradle I grew up in.
Once upon a time...
How can Storytelling be leveraged to examine Rotational play as Fashion Artefacts while conveying tales of Reincarnation?
but, why?
CAUSE
This childhood fascination inspired the study proposal Chakra Katha: Reincarnation through the Spin of a Toy (translated as Whirling Tales).
The concept of rebirth weaves through civilizations, reflected in cultural symbols that connect individuals across time. Objects, like toys, are carriers of stories, energies, and histories, linking us to the past and uniting communities. They endure as witnesses to change, embodying the passage of time.
Despite their seeming differences, toys and fashion share a surprising common thread – their ability to act as cultural storytellers. Passed down through generations, toys transmit values and beliefs, while both mediums convey narratives and ideologies deeply rooted in human expression and societal identity.
Cyclical Journey: Symbols & Stories
SYMBOLISM AND NARRATIVE STRUCTURES
-
The Bhavachakra in Buddhism visually represents Samsara, illustrating the endless cycle of rebirth driven by karma and the "three poisons" (ignorance, greed, and aversion). It is not just a picture but a teaching/pedagogical tool in Buddhism. “It is a visual guide to understanding Samsara, which is considered an Endless Cycle of Suffering because of its loop”.
-
Both traditions (Hinduism and Buddhism) employ a circular structure to depict the cyclical nature of reincarnation. The triskele (The oldest recognised emblem for spiritual practices) symbolizes the continuous flow of consciousness across lifetimes, emphasizing interconnectedness and spiritual evolution.
-
The Sufi whirling dance mirrors this cyclical nature, as dancers spin around a central axis, symbolizing the soul’s journey toward divine unity.
-
From indigenous rituals to global consumer markets, toys bridge the gap between past and present, offering insights into the convoluted tapestry of human culture and imagination.
-
Among these, spinning tops stand out as enduring symbols of cultural storytelling.
-
The eternal motion of spinning tops is in constant motion, with no clear beginning or end, mirroring the cyclical nature of reincarnation in many belief systems.
-
Its outer form (circular movement) is a simple yet powerful symbol. reflecting unity and perpetual motion.
-
‘Twirling tops have been used for thousands of years in many different cultures. Almost every civilization has used it in some form.
How Toys Weave Culture, Identity, and Tradition?
THE ROLE OF TOYS IN CULTURAL NARRATIVES
Tale of Channapatna Craft
INSPIRATION
To deepen my understanding of the physics and motion behind spinning crafts, I traveled to Channapatna. Immersing myself in its rich traditions, I explored the nuanced techniques that define this art form. Inspired by its timeless craftsmanship, I aimed to weave a narrative of transformation and rebirth while integrating contemporary design principles to reinterpret heritage crafts. This journey provided firsthand insight into the dexterity of artisans, their instinctive approach to form and motion, and the use of sustainable materials like natural dyes and eco-friendly lacquers. Engaging with local craft communities reinforced my commitment to sustainability and the preservation of artisanal knowledge, highlighting the cultural and environmental consciousness of my work.
Lacquer, inspired by the vibrant legacy of Channapatna craft, provides a glossy finish while revitalizing the wood. Applied to spinning wooden pieces on a lathe, the friction melts the colored lacquer, evenly coating the surface. After shaping, the piece is smoothed with fine-grit sandpaper to remove imperfections. The craftsman then polishes the surface with palm leaf fibers, generating heat and friction that enhance the lacquer’s shine, resulting in a rich, glossy finish. This process not only protects the wood but also gives it a dynamic, vibrant appearance, transforming each piece into a work of art.
Material Selection
MATERIAL STORY AND IDEATION
Brass, hardwood, softwood, and lacquer create a balance between tradition and modernity, emphasizing motion and cycles. Ivory symbolizes purity, cherry represents growth, and maple embodies renewal, all reinforcing a sustainable and forward-thinking design.
Ivory (Haale Mera) wood
Maple hard wood
Cherry Wood
Brass
Each piece, when viewed from above, transforms into a mesmerizing mandala, embodying intricate patterns that symbolize harmony, balance, and the interconnectedness of life’s cycles.
Handcrafted Ensamble
COLLECTION OF CHAKRA KATHA (ARTEFACTS)
From Blueprint to Reality!
Blueprint to Reality
MANUFACTURING AND HANDCRAFTING
Carefully selected local wood forms the foundation, chosen for its durability and sustainable sourcing. Cherry proved too dense, disrupting the top’s motion, while ivory wood lacked durability. Cedar, chosen for its texture and symbolism, failed due to inadequate central mass. After consulting artisans and refining lathe-turning techniques, I achieved the right balance between form and function.
Crafting the palm-spun spindle was both challenging and rewarding, embodying movement and fluidity. The initial cherry wood prototype was too dense for sustained spinning, leading me to refine the design using ivory wood for its lightweight balance and smooth motion.
The spinning hemisphere lacked a fixed pivot, causing instability. To refine its motion, I integrated a triangular element into the moon of the hemisphere, enhancing balance, stability, and durability while simplifying the design for smoother spinning.
Using Fusion 360, I designed and refined my models before CNC milling ensured precision in form and function. This iterative workflow allowed for rapid testing, fine-tuning visualizations, and optimizing the Spinning Artefact’s motion and mechanics.
The brass hemisphere, symbolizing the "soul" and continuity, was outsourced from Lloyd Spinners and crafted through metal spinning for a seamless, symmetrical form. Initially considering a solid hemisphere, I transitioned to a hollow design, ensuring balance, elegance, and alignment with the theme of renewal.
Brass components for the crowns were lathe-turned to add durability and contrast against the wood, lac, and paint. Achieving symmetry was challenging, as fluctuating lathe measurements introduced subtle variations, requiring meticulous effort to match the precision of the wood-turned pieces.
Birth
Life
Death
Rebirth
The refined color palette embodies the essence of each life stage:
-
Birth (Lac): Red and Yellow symbolize vitality, energy, warmth, and new beginnings, capturing the spark of life.
-
Life (Lac): Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red represent joy and celebration, while deep purples and maroons reflect life's challenges and transformations.
-
Death (Wood Stain): A contrast to vibrant lac finishes, wood stain's earthy tones (Black, Deep Red, and Brown) evoke closure, grounding, and stillness, symbolizing the transition and finality of death.
-
Rebirth (Lac + Paint): Green signifies renewal and transformation, while Red, Orange, Yellow, and Purple reflect resurgence and spiritual richness. The combination of lac and enamel paint symbolizes evolution, modernity, and the harmonious integration of tradition and innovation.
In Channapatna craft, colors are derived from sustainable traditions: turmeric for yellow, vermilion for red, and indigo for green/blue, representing nature's harmony. Lac's vibrant texture, wood stain's depth, and enamel's bold accents bridge tradition with innovation, enriching the story of transformation and renewal.
Tales in Tints and Tones
COLORS AND LACQUERING
Jati (Birth)
Crafted from soft ivory wood, Jati symbolizes the beginning of life, embodying the purity and simplicity of birth. As it spins, Jati transitions from an upright position and flips onto its stem, signifying the start of life's journey. This flip marks the first shift from stillness to motion, capturing the moment when life begins to take shape and gather momentum.
Jiva (Life)
Crafted from a harmonious blend of ivory and maple hardwood, Jiva embodies the layered intricacies of life’s journey. Ivory wood, with its lightness and smooth finish, reflects life’s initial simplicity and fluidity, while maple, known for its strength and density, symbolizes the grounding and resilience gained through experience. Expanding in scale and form, Jiva captures the essence of growth and transformation. Designed for palm spinning, it invites interaction, echoing the tactile and personal nature of our journeys. Inspired by prayer wheels, its rotating elements reflect the continuous cycle of thoughts, actions, and evolution, offering a meditative exploration of life’s depth and complexity.
Marana (Death)
Marana embodies the stage of death, crafted from maple wood to evoke the solemnity and finality of life’s end. The choice of maple symbolizes resilience and grounding, reflecting the enduring nature of this transition. At its center, a brass ring signifies the soul trapped within the confines of mortality, while the downward-facing hemisphere subtly suggests the descent associated with death. The organic spindle, shaped to echo the winding journey of life, adds a visual illusion as it spins, representing the soul’s entrapment in the physical realm. Together, these elements create a profound portrayal of life’s fragility and the inevitable return to stillness.
Utpatti (Origin)
Unpatti Translates to "Origin" or "Emergence," focusing on the new beginning aspect.. It represents the genesis of rebirth, where form and essence converge to spark new beginnings. Crafted with a brass element that symbolizes the soul, Unpatti starts spinning on its side, capturing the delicate and uncertain stirrings of life. The brass soul connects with the body of the piece, merging spirit with substance, and begins spinning upright. This movement signifies the union of identity and form, embodying the initial alignment that marks the start of life’s journey. The brass, with its grounding weight and luster, serves as both anchor and spark, driving the piece into harmonious motion.
Vikas (Blossom)
Vikas represents the blossoming phase of rebirth, where potential reaches its full expression. Crafted from a harmonious blend of maple and ivory, each material embodies different aspects of this stage: maple symbolizes strength and maturity, while ivory captures purity and timelessness, together reflecting the culmination of life’s journey. The brass ring signifies the soul, navigating the constraints of changing forms and lifestyles as it evolves through cycles. At the core, the brass spindle serves as both anchor and guide, channeling energy through each spin, symbolizing the soul’s journey of transformation within the physical realm. Vikas embodies the beauty of growth and the liberation found in each turn.
Anagat (Forthcoming)
Anagat represents the forthcoming phase of rebirth, a symbol of potential and growth yet to be realized. Crafted from a combination of ivory, brass, and cherry wood, each material reflects a unique aspect of the stage: ivory captures purity and beginnings, brass embodies strength and continuity, and cherry wood signifies life’s richness and unfolding promise. Designed to be palm-spun, Anagat invites interaction, grounding it in the present while foreshadowing future growth. The large, prominent whorl at its center symbolizes expansion, mirroring the organic progression of life as it prepares to move forward. This intricate blend of materials and form expresses anticipation and the dynamic energy of things to come.
