Five years in the past, Nivedita Ganeshram launched Madras Finds as a platform to have a good time Chennai’s homegrown artists, cooks, and makers. To commemorate Madras Day 2025, the digital strategist is internet hosting Vizha, a two-day pop-up this weekend. “Vizha was born from a deeply personal place,” says Nivedita.
A product by The Puzzlist
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“Growing up in Chennai, I was constantly surrounded by the richness of South Indian culture. That early influence shaped a strong appreciation for the beauty, craft, and rhythm of the region,” she says, “I always felt that Chennai deserved more spaces where like-minded people could come together to celebrate our heritage in a contemporary, inclusive way. With this year marking the 385th Madras Day, it felt like the perfect moment for a heartfelt celebration of the city, one that goes beyond nostalgia and explores Madras through a more layered, creative, and community-driven lens.”
A davara by Studio Madras Finds
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Bringing collectively over 45 homegrown manufacturers throughout style, meals, residence, artwork, and life-style, the occasion is a “street-style thiruvizha with a contemporary twist”. Featured manufacturers embody Ink by Prashantini, Citta, and extra in the artwork class, hand-knotted koodais by Knots Bags, Rein Studio Madras’ jewelry, attire by labels like Arohaa, Thogai, and so forth, perfumes by Idham Nature, Ensens Perfumery, and nostalgic treats by Madras Munch and Hot Pupps.
Studio Ūda’s notebooks impressed by Madras checks
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Riya Rajiv of Studio Ūda, a homegrown design studio from town, will likely be bringing her assortment of undated planners, notebooks impressed by Madras checks, sun-catcher bookmarks, Chettinad tile keychains, and extra to the occasion. “Each product has been created with the idea of encouraging slow living such as the habits of reading, writing, and colouring which take you away from our fast-paced digital world,” says Riya, a social media strategist-turned-artist who launched the model final yr.
Jewellery by NO NA MÉ
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If you need to gear up for the upcoming festive season, Tirunelveli-based gender impartial jewelry model NO NA MÉ can even be on the pop-up. Founder Smruti Mathisekaran, who attracts inspiration from structure and clear geometric kinds, will likely be bringing a mixture of her bestsellers, and items from her new 8-Bit Love assortment that is impressed by retro video video games and pixel artwork. “Some of our popular pieces include earrings that can be styled in multiple ways, bold neckpieces crafted from metal and leather, and festive animal-inspired designs like our Totem ring-necklace, which is modular and interchangeable,” says Smruti who is now engaged on her subsequent assortment, The Countdown, “where each design takes inspiration from a number between 0 and 5”.
Artwork by Studio Ūda
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Prernna Gupta, a income operations skilled, will carry her Madras-themed puzzles to Vizha. A ardour undertaking launched earlier this yr, at The Puzzlist, Prernna works with Indian artists to create jigsaw puzzles. “We currently have eight designs which we will be bringing to the event, including our bestselling Chennai in the Clouds and Madras Mess Mornings.”
A puzzle by The Puzzlist
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Also debuting at Vizha is Studio Madras Finds, Nivedita’s design-led initiative whereby South Indian tradition is redefined by a up to date lens. “We’re deeply inspired by Tamil aesthetics, but with a modern lifestyle in mind. From brass davara sets to hand-illustrated playing cards, our objects are meant for collectors who view products as cultural signifiers,” says Nivedita, who is launching filter kaapi darkish chocolate on the occasion. As for Vizha’s line-up, she is notably enthusiastic about Picky Artz’ customized miniature peg dolls, native snacks by Madras Munch, and Milli Mitra’s vegan cheese. “My long-term vision is to grow Vizha into a platform of its own, one that travels to different cities, carrying the culture and makers of Madras with it,” she concludes.
On August 9 and 10 at My Bungalow, No 40, Eldams Road, Teynampet. From 11am to 8pm.
