Starting Somewhere: Many firsts, the thinking and now I'm rambling
I’ve been wondering what to write—and what not to. Is there some method to this madness? Maybe. But I’m not sure I’ve figured it out yet. So far I’ve written five blog entries and clearly there ain't no pattern to them.
You see, I’m new to all of this—new to blogging, new to entrepreneurship (especially in anf 'organised' sort of way), and definitely new to putting myself out there. It feels like I’m walking into a world filled with many firsts, new beginnings, and unknowns. I don’t know what the business gurus would say about how a blog should be structured. But here’s what I do know: I want this space to reflect our journey — honestly and openly. I imagine it as a blend of 'dear diary' moments and 'oh wow, look what I discovered!' revelations. A place where I can share things like “this looks amazing in my home—you give it a try now!” to 'this is a beautiful piece of our culture I think you’ll love too.', to 'hey this is how I styled my Chokar in my home' to 'hey you think you can include this in Chokar's line of products?'. You see by 'ours' I meant You, Chokar and I.
Will it work? I don’t know. But that’s part of the adventure.
As I find my way through the chaos of the online world (which, let’s be honest, sometimes feels just as wild as the offline one), I hope to carve out a little corner that feels safe, inspiring, and real—not just for me, but for anyone who drops by.
So here’s to new starts, uncertainty, and showing up anyway. Let’s see where this goes.
In an effort to bring some clarity and direction to my thoughts, I’ve decided to create a simple list of topics I’ll explore here and hopefully it’ll be like weaving a story or not. While I may not be a natural storyteller, I truly enjoy stories. I love listening to narrations; they’re fun, spark the imagination, and have a wonderful way of tying everything together in a way that makes sense. You know what I mean?
Over the years, one thing that’s stuck with me from my early days as a full-time HR professional is the power of structured communication. We were trained to craft emails that answered the what, how, who, and why—along with the all-important “what’s next.” It took practice, but once it clicked, it became second nature and started to show up in every area of my life.
Sometimes, I even apply it while defining corners of my home—like when I was figuring out the best spot for a large Thangka (painting) I own. It moved from corner to corner until it finally found the place. A complementing sideboard underneath, a couple of plants for freshness, and just the right amount of natural light to highlight the richness of the brocade—it all came together like a well-told story. Structured, yet soulful.
Let me share more about the thought process for any such undertaking at home. Be mindful that it is always a fun journey of experimenting and moving things around but what helps is always still trying to follow a little structure. I usually start by asking the following questions and the responses become the guiding light -
What: The beautiful four feet by two and a half feet Thangka needs to be the highlight and star. I’ve always loved Thangkas—not just for their intricate beauty, but because each one tells a story in a meaningful way. Traditionally painted by artists trained in monasteries, they’re rich in symbolism and also help support local craftsmanship.
Why: The one I have is extra special. It’s a unique mix of painting and sticking paper together into a collage form, created by my husband’s aunt who was trained by a monastery in Sikkim and has dedicated her life to the welfare of all living beings. It carries deep emotional and artistic value, and I wanted to honor that.
Where: It deserved a wall all to itself—no distractions—so it could truly stand out therefore it had to be placed in the living room. I also wanted to make sure it’s visible from all angles of the room, making it a quiet focal point of the space. This allowed me to select the point of placement.
What’s Next: I’m now exploring lighting options to do justice to the piece. Should I go with a pendant light that shines directly on Tara’s face, place a lamp on the sideboard, or add a floor lamp to illuminate the area more broadly? I might consult an electrician to figure out the most renter-friendly and effective solution.
I now apply a similar approach when curating or creating products for Chokar—bringing in a little structure, but keeping the process creative and intentional.
What & Why: First, we look at what kind of product should be part of Chokar. Is it something functional and beautiful? Does it serve more than one purpose? Can it be gifted? Most importantly, does it showcase the skill of the artisan, the time that went into making it? Every piece needs a reason to belong. It should align with Chokar’s values—meaningful, thoughtful, and a celebration of craftsmanship.
How: From choosing the right colours and patterns to figuring out the best way to package and ship across the country or overseas, the goal is to keep things seamless and special for the customer.
What’s Next: A photoshoot that captures the product in its most authentic, beautiful form—no heavy filters, just honest styling that lets the piece speak for itself, and most importantly is able to champion the craft.
I am currently working on putting together more pieces of Blue Pottery for all of you. The endeavor is to work with a few artists but in a way that we build this working relationship on mutual understanding, respect and most of all our love for the craft.
I’d love to hear your comments, suggestions, or feedback. They offer valuable insights into your thoughts, how Chokar is evolving, and often help answer the questions that quietly or sometimes violently and restlessly linger in my mind.
Thangka Paintings are vibrant and usually made on canvas that can either be framed as is or the more ornate ones are accompanied by brocade on either side in the form of a scroll. I currently have three Thangkas and they all deserve a special place for the artistry and cultural aspect they bring to light.