Madras Design Story’s products are all about a sense of place that is rooted in memory and nostalgia.
The sister duo of Lakshmi Olagammai and Kasturi Ramanathan are the brains behind a small art setup called Madras Design Story based in Chennai.
Lakshmi is the artist while Kasturi manages the finances and runs the business. Since 2018, Lakshmi has been sketching houses from this region – helping people document their houses, helping those settled abroad keep a piece of home with them. Each house that she have done a commissioned sketch of is proof of the gratitude and love she has for this region. In the last two years she ventured out to draw other buildings from around the world as well – but her base will always be Chettinad.
They work on art-based giftables that have utility value. So this includes puzzles, tote bags, coasters, fridge magnets, playing cards and more. I first met the team along with their mother at The Lotus Palace Chettindad.
Read the full story that first appeared in Art Soul Life Magazine’s Aug-Oct 2026 issue here:
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