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.
ideation
In the making
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. An intentionally asymmetrical surface pattern guides this interaction, so the light turns on only when the correct orientation is achieved. This invites a more thoughtful, intentional engagement with the object.
Materials used: Laser-cut acrylic, cobalt blue spray paint, LED, batteries, custom electrical circuit, reed switch, magnets, and screws.