NEERJA
Neerja: A Flashlight Inspired by Rajasthani Craft
CMU, Spring 2025
Neerja is a flashlight that blends traditional Indian craftsmanship with contemporary product design. Inspired by my hometown, Jaipur, the piece pays homage to two iconic art forms: Jaipur Blue Pottery, known for its delicate cobalt blue patterns on a white base, and Rajasthani mirror work, an intricate embroidery technique that reflects and refracts light.
The form and surface design feature a lotus motif, symbolizing purity and resilience in Indian culture. As India’s national flower, the lotus also serves as a visual anchor that ties the object to its cultural roots.
Named Neerja—meaning “lotus” in Sanskrit—the flashlight reimagines heritage through a modern lens. The interplay of reflective surfaces and rich blue hues creates a luminous harmony that brings the elegance of Rajasthani design into a functional, everyday object.
Process & Making
Initial Sketches and CAD explorations
The flashlight uses a reed switch and magnets to activate the light only when the two halves of the casing align in a specific way. The surface pattern was intentionally designed to be asymmetrical, so the light only turns on when the correct alignment is achieved—encouraging the user to engage with the object more thoughtfully and intentionally.
In the making
Materials used: Laser-cut acrylic, cobalt blue spray paint, LED, batteries, custom electrical circuit, reed switch, magnets, and screws.
