Art is the monism of two equally strong universal currents of emotion and intelligence and their blended duality. Artistry erupts out of the volcanic crest of one’s innate sense of eternity–shaped in the form of an integrated mountain of core values one holds in their heart and mind.
It is the point at the zenith where personal and universal selves combine to embody the best ever natural creation: The Human Self. It is the truest triumph; the very victory one keeps craving for.
Sraddha Bhattacherjee, Founder and CEO of Veechi Art and Décor quotes this reflective artistic philosophy in her own words, “True success is not always about working at top-notch institutions, earning millions or just what you achieve; it is the best version you become of yourself without compromising your core values.”
Discernibly Fascinated Artist of Traditional Heritage
Residing in the city of temples and great heritage, Bhubaneswar, Sraddha has always been discernibly fascinated by Odisha’s rich culture and traditions. Be it an art exhibition, a trade fair of handicrafts, or a cultural festival here in the city; there is hardly ever such an event she will miss.
Having been brought up in a family of musicians, singers, and dancers, she pursued her passion for music from a very young age. She did a Bachelor’s in Hindustani vocal with a Specialised Senior Diploma in Nazrul Geeti and a Junior Diploma in Rabindra Sangeet, two extraordinary forms of Bengali traditional music. Furthermore, she is an M.Sc. and M.Phil. in Mathematics and has worked for 11 years as a senior Mathematics Lecturer at a government college.
Never one to limit herself like she always says, “Age is a mere number; I won’t let my age deter me from chasing my passion”, Sraddha decided to embark on a journey in the glamour world in 2021 and got crowned as ‘Mrs India Nayantara, while also qualifying as a finalist for several other prestigious beauty pageants like Mrs India Glammon and Pride of Nation.
Veechi: On the Ever-Flowing Waves of Spontaneity
Sraddha has always been indiscernibly passionate about art and culture since the early stage of her childhood. She was born and brought up in a family of hardworking intellectuals and has always been surrounded by culture.
This has inculcated the passion for starting a business related to handmade artefacts. She always configured this business from its inception with a distinct perspective, truly making Veechi Art and Décor a differentiated enterprise from others. Sraddha has always endeavoured to imbibe the tribal culture or the spiritual aspect very close to mythological event description to highlight through art.
Sraddha shares, “Veechi means waves.” And she believes Veechi will spontaneously flow like a wave having nodes and antinodes like ups and downs, facing new challenges in a very positive way, and growing forever.
Exemplifying the Odisha Artisans’ Talent Treasure
Revealing her inspiration behind venturing into the business arena, Sraddha says that being Mrs India Nayantara 2021, she had taken a pledge to do something for women empowerment, which has really initiated and provoked her to start with her novel venture ‘Veechi Art and Décor,’ in order to highlight the hidden talents of Odisha Artisans in front of the entire nation and global community. “This encouraged me to start with my passionate venture,” reflects Sraddha.
Tackling Challenges, Positively
Stating the initial challenges Sraddha had to surmount to ensure Veechi’s success rate reached greater heights, she says that she always considers success a journey and not a destination. Challenges are obviously part and parcel of one’s journey. Keeping such an intuitive insight, Sraddha has always considered challenges in a very positive way.
She explains, “The strong situations always prepare you for the future and make you much more stronger. Initially, I faced lots of problems to get the right customers who will truly value the potential of our art, Artisans, and products.” She has encountered many problems by hunting talented artisans, assembling the machineries, their installations, and the precise productions regarding the most effective strategy.
However, she overcame all the adversities with strong determination and resolute willpower.
Paying Homage to the Art and Culture
Speaking about her professional values and qualities admired by clients in Veechi Art and Décor, Sraddha says that she and her team at Veechi are always there for their clients. They want their clients to judge their products’ true potential and their artistic value.
They expect genuine feedback, and if there are any setbacks, they encourage their clients to mention those properly. They want to cultivate the awareness of our Art and Culture, which Odisha artisans are putting their hardest endeavours to craft and offer.
“We pay great respect and welcome any art form and its culture,” Says Sraddha. India is a heritage of rich art and culture. They at Veechi are also into authentic products and the true effort to level up their company and appreciate the effort of their artisans to scale up the standard of Veechi Art and Décor.
The Creativity of an Elite Kind
When asked what USPs highlight the brand Veechi’s uniqueness, Sraddha says, “Definitely, Veechi is all about creativity, always creating the new authentic products.” They are into the creations of beneficial products like small teak stuffs revealing the art with its own creativity, starting from Wine boxes, Bangle Boxes, Saree boxes of pine and teak wood and many more. “We are manufacturing utility stuff with the art of a very elite kind,” says Sraddha.
A Passionately Courageous Wisdom
As an experienced professional, Sraddha’s advice to the budding aspirants willing to enter the business world is passionately courageous. In her message to the budding aspirants, she says, “Whatever you opt for, have strong belief within you, make it a passion. Never quit or give up while facing new challenges; there will be ups and downs. Make the challenges as business opportunities.”
Emphasizing the Professional Artistry
When probed about how she envisions Veechi Art and Decor’s operations with the emerging technologies and automated tools that are revolutionizing the business world by enabling innovations, Sraddha says that she is a person who truly believes in Science, technology, and automated tools.
In her business, she wants technologies and automated tools for making the products and increasing production, “However, I want the artisans’ skill to get projected and highlighted in each of my art,” feels Sraddha.
As art should not be replaced by machines or tools. “Simultaneously, We also wanted to emphasize the employment so that more numbers of people get jobs after the deadly pandemic,” says Sraddha.
