What began as a college project blossomed into Nishita Fine Tableware, a brand rooted in the belief that the dinner table deserves the same reverence as an art gallery. Inspired by India’s boundless heritage and tempered by a modern eye, each limited-edition collection is hand-crafted with meticulous care and designed to become tomorrow’s heirloom. Ten collections later, including a charitable collaboration with master artist Senaka Senanayake, Nishita continues to turn every meal into a celebration of beauty, culture, and craftsmanship.
The following are extracts from a recent interview with Nishita Thakurdas, Founder and Designer of Nishita Fine Tableware.
What inspired you to launch a fine dinnerware brand in the first place?
I have always asked myself how often we see genuine art on our dinner table. While studying in college, I designed a small range for a boutique home store and instantly felt a deep connection. After years in corporate design and branding, I reached a point where I felt stuck. Launching Nishita Fine Dinnerware in 2014 felt like coming home because it gave me a new canvas to explore colours, forms, and Indian heritage whilst creating pieces that feel timelessly elegant.
Where do you find the ideas for each collection?
India remains my endless treasure chest because no other country offers such richness in art, colour, temples, palaces, and textiles, so I draw constantly from our history. A cherished Banarasi sari my mother loved became the Banaras collection, Fatehpur Sikri inspired The Lotus at Fatehpur, and calligraphy shaped Devanagiri. I balance tradition with modernity so every piece feels both rooted and relevant, something families can pass down through generations.
How long does it take to bring one collection to life?
From the first sketch to the final piece, each collection takes six to eight months and sometimes longer. We work with fine porcelain and the latest Japanese technology, whilst every touch of 24-carat gold is applied by hand. Countless samples and iterations are created, and I will happily reject a piece for the tiniest flaw because perfection is non-negotiable. Only when everything is flawless does a collection finally launch.
Why do you insist on keeping every range limited-edition?
Exclusivity matters deeply to me because I consciously avoid repetition in design or colour, so owning one collection feels truly special. When someone invests in a Nishita design, they own something rare and a family heirloom in the making. Going forward, I plan to release just two new collections each year alongside tea sets and cake stands, always in limited runs.
You collaborated with prolific Sri Lankan artist Senaka Senanayake. What moved you to create The Arts Collection?
As a mother who lost my father to cancer, the thought of children fighting this disease breaks my heart. I wanted to use my platform for good, and Senaka’s Garden of Paradise, that glorious rainforest bursting with hummingbirds and tropical blooms, felt perfect. We reinterpreted it with vibrant restraint on fine porcelain edged in 24-carat gold. Part of every sale goes to the Mahesh Memorial Trust at The Cancer Institute (WIA) to help underprivileged children receive treatment.
What do you hope people feel when they set their table with your dinnerware?
I want them to feel joy because a simple meal becomes an occasion when surrounded by beauty. These are not just plates but conversations between art, heritage, and the present moment. Whether it is a quiet family dinner or a celebration, every piece reminds them that beauty belongs at the heart of daily life and that they are sharing something truly timeless with the people they love most.
To find out more about Nishita and her designs, visit the links below…
Nishita Design
Web: nishitadesign.com
Tel: +9198860 56665
Email: info@nishitadesign.com
Instagram: @nishitadesign
Facebook: @nishitadesign