Pouring years of stories into one square centimetre
Founded in 2018 by Sarath Selvanathan, our brand started as an homage to the smallest yet the most impactful ornament. It is our intention to use this inconspicuous canvas to celebrate South Indian history, culture and craftsmanship.
A small ornament
SARATH SELVANATHAN’S JOURNEY
“Growing up, I aspired to be an engineering technician – the design, the technique, the process, all of it intrigued me. However, quitting my corporate job was one of the most liberating events of my life. I left Chennai, travelled, studied business, trained to design jewellery and found myself trying to connect with the right side of my brain. Everything that I liked about being an engineering technician now translated into jewellery – the design, the technique, the process.”
that made a
big difference.
THE MOOKUTHI THAT STARTED IT ALL – HEAR IT FROM SARATH
“It all started when I made a nose ornament for a friend who wore an extremely simple nose stud. In those few moments, as she switched her old nose ornament with the new one I made for her, her face changed drastically. And it stunned me to think how the smallest piece of jewellery that I ever made made the most difference to the wearer and that revelation lead me into a world of nose ornaments.”
We want to connect,
cherish,
WE’RE HERE TO MAKE CULTURE OUR OWN.
To learn about it, love and cherish it in ways that feel true to ourselves. To re-introduce ourselves, and mingle with parts of culture that invite us in.
& play with culture.
SARATH SELVANATHAN’S JOURNEY
“Growing up, I aspired to be an engineering technician – the design, the technique, the process, all of it intrigued me. However, quitting my corporate job was one of the most liberating events of my life. I left Chennai, travelled, studied business, trained to design jewellery and found myself trying to connect with the right side of my brain. Everything that I liked about being an engineering technician now translated into jewellery – the design, the technique, the process.”
A small
ornament
that made a
big difference.
THE MOOKUTHI THAT STARTED IT ALL– HEAR IT FROM SARATH
“It all started when I made a nose ornament for a friend who wore an extremely simple nose stud. In those few moments, as she switched her old nose ornament with the new one I made for her, her face changed drastically. And it stunned me to think how the smallest piece of jewellery that I ever made made the most difference to the wearer and that revelation lead me into a world of nose ornaments.”
WE’RE HERE TO MAKE CULTURE OUR OWN.
To learn about it, love and cherish it in ways that feel true to ourselves. To re-introduce ourselves, and mingle with parts of culture that invite us in.
We want to
connect,
cherish & play
with culture.
OUR INSPIRATION AMBLES THROUGH OURMEMORIES & EXPERIENCE OF SOUTH INDIA.
It peeks out from behind carved bannisters of burma teak, and skips across vibrant hallways beset with Athangudi tiles. It carries the heady fragrance of baskets in the morning market, and lives in the rituals, practices and superstitions of everyday life in Madras. It’s in the trance of temple chants, and the sparkle of a diamond that brings the goddess alive.
"The South Indian aesthetic sits somewhere between simplicity & maximalism, as I see it.
There is something rich & yet grounding about it.
Mookuthi sits at the intersection of this conundrum, while constantly exploring different styles, forms & textures on a nose ornament."
Sarath Selvanathan
Founder & Designer, Mookuthi