Like an anthropologist's field notebook documenting objects found and bought, 100% India is packed with page after kaleidoscope page of objects and ephemera. Journalist Geel and designer Lévy canvass every tangible thing made in India. Even the most mundane items—packets of tissues, bottles of detergent, stickers on rickshaws, stamps, and lightbulbs—assume a vibrant life of their own. An essay on the history of industry in modern India, snippets of contemporary fiction, and insightful captions round out the picture; bold design mirrors the aesthetic of the objects themselves. An extraordinary journey to the heart of Indian design, 100% India is essential for any designer, traveler, or admirer of the eclectic beauty of India.

The pieces collected here, all designed and made in India, are products of modern times. A packet of bidis, the label on a bottle of detergent, the sticker on a rickshaw--all share a unique sensibility, a certain fragility and playfulness. Seen together, the signature qualities of Indian design soon emerge--in the little flowers that craftsmen engrave on the most ordinary of glasses and in radios that factory workers decorate with flashing lights.

introduction

why the essence of modern india is industrial

what makes it indian by catherine levy by catherine geel

housewares

accessories

tools and office supplies

transportation

party goods and toys

cookware

boxes and bags

toiletries

electrical goods