A Spatial Journey Through Time
Lattu
“Annual India Festival USA (Celebrating Diversity)" is a Cultural Festival celebrates the breadth and diversity of Indian heritage. Multi‑pod installation, with each pods of 10,000sqm area. Each pod explores a facet of Indian material culture. My project’s focuses on India’s rich legacy of traditional toys as vessels of childhood wonder, regional identity, and centuries‑old craftsmanship.
Context of the project
Step into a nostalgic journey that takes everyone back to the joy of childhood through the magic of traditional Indian toys.
Let your memories spin along!
Scrap book of my childhood look like this !
I remember gathering with friends to play spinning top and hide‑and‑seek under the old banyan tree, our laughter ringing through the warm afternoon air. Those simple games and smiling faces still light up my heart with a sweet, gentle nostalgia.
Picnics
First bicycle
Bed time stories
Teddy bear
Is it the same for yours too ?
CURIOSITY
INTERACTIVE
CREATIVITY
CRAFTSMANSHIP
SUSTAINABILITY
SIMPLICITY
NOSTALGIA
Rocking horse
Push wheel toy
Slingshot
Pin wheel
Spinning top
VISUAL BOARD
The spinning top, known by various names across India - Lattu (Hindi), Bambaram (Tamil), Pambaram (Malayalam) Buguri (Kannada), Latim (Bengali) is one of the oldest and most beloved traditional toys in Indian culture. Carved from wood and often hand-painted in vivid colors.
SPINNING TOP
What makes them exiting for children ?
Simplicity and Creativity
The simple designs encourage open-ended play, sparking imagination and creativity in children.
Tactile and Sensory Appeal
The smooth texture of polished wood, the vibrant colors of natural dyes, and the rhythmic sounds of a spinning top create a multisensory experience that modern toys often lack.
Cultural Connection
Playing with these toys introduces children to their cultural heritage, fostering a sense of pride and identity.
Shared Joy
The toys often involve group activities, promoting social interaction and bonding.
Childhood Memories woven with motion
In a modern world increasingly dominated by digital distractions, the humble spinning top offers:
A return to tactile play
A celebration of slow, mindful childhood
A reminder that the simplest joys are often the most meaningful
The memory lane !
NARRATIVE
The Wonder of Discovery (Early Childhood)
For the youngest, the spinning top is a fascinating mystery, its spinning dance filling them with wonder. Their small hands try and fail, but laughter follows each attempt as the older children cheer them on. Through this playful learning, the toy quietly teaches them patience, persistence, and the joy of trying together.
The Thrill of competition (Middle childhood)
As they grow, the spinning top transforms from a simple toy into the heart of spirited competition, where teams strategize and rivals clash in playful battles. Whispers of tactics and shouts of excitement fill the air, as each spin carries lessons in focus, teamwork, and resilience. Beyond the game, the spinning top brings them together, teaching them to enjoy victories, accept defeats, and build stronger friendships.
The Reflection of Nostalgia (Adolescence & Beyond)
As the years pass, the spinning top transforms from a childhood plaything into a cherished memory, evoking both fondness and a touch of embarrassment for the now-teenagers. During festive gatherings or lazy afternoons, it often resurfaces, reigniting the joy of shared games.
CONCEPT IDEATION
LIGHTING & MATERIAL PALETTE
ZONE - 1
The wonder of discovery
EMOTIONS : JOY, PLAYFULNESS, SAFETY
ZONE - 2
The thrill of competition
EMOTIONS : FOCUS, ENERGY, EXCITEMENT
ZONE - 3
The reflection of nostalgia
EMOTIONS : CALM, REFLECTION, MEMORY
Circulation
ZONE - 3
The reflection of nostalgia
ZONE - 1
The wonder of discovery
ZONE - 2
The thrill of competition
Entrance
Exit
All dimensions are in meter.
PLAN
SPINNING THROUGH TIME
The experience center is divided into three thematic zones - Discovery, Competition, and Nostalgia, each representing a stage in the spinning top’s narrative journey. Visitors embark on an interactive experience that engages their senses, emotions, and memories.
Zone 1 - The wonder of discovery
ZONE - 1
The wonder of discovery
Upon entering the exhibition, visitors arrive in the first zone, “The Wonder of Discovery.” In this space, a tactile station with an information board guides them through the proper way to spin a top and then invites them to try it themselves for a true hands‑on experience.
On display are tops of various types, sizes, colors, textures, and materials, reflecting India’s rich heritage of traditional toys. This interactive area introduces today’s children to the games of the past, fostering engagement and creating opportunities for them to bond as they play. It also allows older generations to relive fond memories of their own childhood games.
Zone 2 - The thrill of competition
Next, visitors enter the second zone, “The Thrill of Competition.” Here, a central table surrounded by chairs invites pairs of players to face off with spinning tops. Ambient spotlights focus attention on each top in play, while a large scoreboard at the back tracks points and heightens the sense of rivalry.
Soft ambient sounds of whistles and applause fill the Competition zone, reinforcing its excitement and completing the center’s immersive, multisensory journey.
ZONE - 2
The thrill of competition
Zone 3 - The reflection of nostalgia
Next, visitors enter the third zone, where a large spinning top is embedded in a rock wall. Through a narrow slit they can glimpse it but cannot reach it, reminding us that the past is forever out of reach and all we have are the cherished memories of the toys we once played with. Soft, warm, dim lighting fills the space, heightening the sense of nostalgia and inviting quiet reflection on the treasures we carry within.
ZONE - 3
The reflection of nostalgia
