About

I prefer working with solid woods – the interesting grain patterns, organic shapes that are often formed due to natural cracks in the wood, knots and holes found naturally in pieces of wood often serve as the springboard for my bespoke designs. Instead of hiding the flaws in the wood, I believe in highlighting them and making them a thing of beauty.

After all, as the poet and musician Leonard Cohen said:

“There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.”

I enjoy trying new techniques and challenges in my projects, and am constantly learning and expanding my own understanding of woodworking processes. In recent times, one of the processes that I found very interesting – and also enjoyably challenging – was lutherie. I spent a couple of months working with Karan Singh at Bigfoot Guitars, and while instrument making isn’t my cup of tea, I learnt some interesting processes during my time there that I carry over into my box designs. I also built my very own ukulele – now all I need to do, is learn how to play it!

I started teaching because its a natural extension of who I am – my main job isn’t woodworking – it’s tennis. I’ve been teaching tennis since over 25 years and run my own tennis academy. Woodworking has been a lifelong passion, and teaching comes naturally to me.

I wanted to reach out to others who, like me, were keen to make things with their hands and did not know where to start. I also wanted to help more people to enjoy and learn woodworking and DIY, and to increase the DIY culture among the next generation.

Teaching seemed like the next logical step as I looked to share my passion for wood and tools, and building things by hand. I also wanted to dispel the common misconception among people – that woodworking is mainly about furniture making and that you cannot work with wood unless you have a huge workshop. My own workshop, after all, is in the back balcony of my home in Gurgaon — though in early 2022, I moved my workshop to a bigger space.

My teaching methodology is different from most other teachers – at least in India. I prefer to conduct one-on-one sessions, so that I can give my undivided attention to my students, and allow them to learn at their own pace. I also like to focus on hand tools and traditional techniques that have withstood the test of time.