BEYOND BOLLYWOOD:
“Faith. Design. Understanding. Change”
Welcome to Ihsan Ishan Design, where creativity meets unity.
We specialize in unique designs that foster compassion, peace, and understanding across diverse cultures.
We blend meticulous and extensive research with deep love and respect for global cultures,
earning multiple awards for our commitment to design, social justice, and interfaith initiatives.
Our mission is to foster unity across religious, cultural, and ethnic divides through art, design, and education.
Celebrating the interconnectedness of our world, our designs utilize luxe materials to educate about
unfamiliar traditions and inspire harmony and positive change.
Through exhibitions, lectures, and events, we invite you to join us
on a journey of cultural exploration and connection-building, celebrating our shared humanity.
We offer a wide range of products and services, including unique art pieces, culturally inspired apparel and accessories,
home décor, custom commissions, museum consultations, design and development,
educational workshops, exhibitions, and speaking engagements.
Our mission is to promote appreciation for diverse cultures, challenge stereotypes,
and advocate for accurate representation of global cultures and faiths.
Ihsan Ishan Design is not just a business; it’s a movement toward a more inclusive and compassionate world.
Arabic Calligraphy products are produced with consultation from noted Islamic Scholars and religious leaders (Imams/Sheikhs).
“The American Silk Road. Designs meant for interexchanges and meaningful dialogue”
Proceeds from all sales benefit various BIPOC charities who work with the culture/community the design was inspired by.
EXPLORE THE COLLECTION, DISCOVER THE CONCEPTS & INSPIRATIONS BEHIND THE DESIGNS
MEXICO CITY COLLECTION
This collection, inspired by Mexico City, celebrates the interconnectedness of indigenous Mesoamerican and Hindu spiritual traditions. It highlights the marigold flower, originally from Mexico and not used for worship in South Indian temples, and features a unique Mexican Lord Ganesha design, reflecting the shared heritage of these cultures.
In Mexico City, I discovered the local love for Lord Ganesha, with his image and numerous other Hindu deities found everywhere. Mesoamerica’s rich spiritual traditions, similar to Hinduism and comparable to the diverse cultures of South Asia, featured various deities, elaborate temples, complex writing systems, and stunning artistic traditions.
Although often associated with South Asia, the marigold flower was originally cultivated in Mexico by the Aztec People. Unlike North India, where marigolds are used in worship, South Indian temples do not allow them. This may relate to their use in Mexico's Day of the Dead to honor ancestors, aligning with South Indian ancestor reverence.
Temples and houses of worship are associated with happiness and peace, so they avoid offering anything reminding them of death. Hindu worship practices vary significantly, with ancestor reverence being especially important in South Indian traditions.
The Mexican Ganesha design is inspired by Mesoamerican deity art seen in Mexico City museums. It combines marigolds with handpicked roses from my garden for Hindu puja garlands, as roses are preferred for their fragrance and beauty. The design reflects the flat, linear, and negative spaces of Mesoamerican rock-cut sculptures and paintings.
IHSAN ISHAN DESIGN X SHAUNA ERICSON
IhsanIshan has teamed with Award-Winning, New York-based Designer/Artist and Creative Director of BE, Shauna Ericson.
Sangeetha Kowsik (Founder, IhsanIshan Design) and Shauna Ericson were the first person each met after landing in New York City to attend Parsons School of Design.
After years of collaborating on different projects throughout the years, Shauna, while Designer and Creative Director, with years of experience building successful businesses for female-led brands like Donna Karan and Rachel Roy and Sangeetha, while Head Designer at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, are uniting on a special collaboration to bring you UNITY, Meaningful Art graphic tees, and accessories.
Shauna Ericson is an award-winning New York-based designer artist and Founder|Creative Director of BE. She is known for her creative intelligence, attention to detail, and hidden meanings in her clothing and accessories.
Her inspiration is found through her travels and research into different cultures, traditions, and religions with multicultural influences reflected in her designs.
She spends her time between New York and Istanbul.
BLACK LIVES MATTER
MULTIPLE AWARD-WINNING DESIGN FOR PHILANTHROPY, INTERFAITH, SOCIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVES
“ONE WORLD. BE THE CHANGE”
All FAITHS (SYMBOLS OF EVERY MAJOR FAITH). ONE WORLD. WE TOGETHER STAND AGAINST RACISM.
BLACK COLOR : Blacklivesmatter
WORLD WITH FIST: Together we stand and MUST fight injustice as one world.
PRAYER HANDS: Seek the divine, be kind, be compassionate. Lend a hand to all those hurting in need. WHITE OUTLINING FIST: White supremacy we MUST fight against it.
FAITH SYMBOLS (clockwise)
OHM: Hinduism FIRE: Zoroastrianism
HAND: Jainism GATE: Shintoism
WHEEL: Buddhism YIN-YANG: Taoism
KHANDA: Sikhism STAR: Judaism
CROSS: Christianity CRESCENT MOON & STAR: Islam
Hinduism States in Sanskrit Language :
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam : THE WORLD IS ONE FAMILY
Loka Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu :LET THE ENTIRE WORLD BE HAPPY
AMAZIGH(INDIGENOUS PEOPLES) OF NORTH AFRICA
The “Amazigh”, (plural Imazighen), means “free people” in the Tamazight language. They are the “indigenous” people of North Africa. Among outsiders, the more common – though incorrect – name for Imazighen is Berber, a term that is largely rejected by Imazighen for its negative connotations. It’s related to the word ‘barbarian’.
I felt very at home in Morocco, perhaps because Amazigh culture is almost exactly the same as my Indian (Tamil) Culture.
The “Tamazight” language written in the “Tiffinagh” script is one of the oldest languages in the world like Tamil.
My Amazigh design collection combines geometric patterns, Southern Mosque Architecture (very distinct and unique to the desert), Jewelry carvings, Tuareg symbols, Traditional colors, and Tifinagh script.
There are 3 distinct dialects of Tamazight in Morocco including Tache7it (Southeast), Tariff (North), Tamazight (Atlas region) plus numerous variants of the language across North Africa.
AFGHAN RUBAB
(FARSI POETRY)
This design was inspired by a dear friend who is a very famous Afghan Rubab player.
The Rubab is one of the national instruments of Afghanistan and is mentioned in Persian and Sufi poetry. Rumi, the famous poet, also wrote many verses on love, musical instruments, and how music is the way to connect to the divine. The Rubab has a special significance in Sikhism as well, being the first instrument used by the Guru (teacher).A magical, beautiful, enchanting instrument, when my friend plays you are transported.
I came across the verse below, by Saeb Tabrizi, with the help of a renowned Afghan poet and Rumi scholar. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Saeb Tabrizi also wrote ghazals, which are famous throughout South Asia and sung in the classical tradition. And this fit well with my birthday gift plans, as my friend sings classical music along with playing the Rubab.
This verse is in Persian (Farsi) and is attributed to the 16th C Persian poet Saeb Tabrizi who wrote in “Indian style” and traces his ancestry to Shams Tabrizi, Rumi's spiritual instructor. This verse is promoting peace as opposed to destruction.
”That disobedient Palm (tree) that turned into an axe was not one of us, when destiny breaks us we turn into a “Rubab”.
Read right to left, the verse is drawn in “stylized script” around the body and the full verse is written in the middle. I added “Jimikis,” which are a traditional jewelry shape of South India (I’m Tamil) on the tassel. My Rubab artwork is a cross-cultural partnership of Persian, Afghan, and Indian traditions.
AFGHAN RUBAB UNISEX LONG SLEEVE TEE! SIZES XS-2XL / 7 COLORS AVAILABLE
(Sales Benefit WAW (WOMEN FOR AFGHAN WOMEN)
(A PORTION OF SALES OF THIS TEE IS GIVEN TO WAW (WOMEN FOR AFGHAN WOMEN)
Women for Afghan Women (WAW) is the largest organization for Afghan women and girls globally, and the largest women’s organization in Afghanistan. We are a grassroots organization that provides safe shelter, social services, education, legal aid, and psychological support for women and children in Afghanistan and in the United States.
TESTIMONIALS
FEATURED TESTIMONIAL
I’m Muslim my husband is Hindu. (A customer’s story)
I was raised Muslim and still believe in Islam. My husband was raised Hindu and still maintains his faith. When we discussed faith and it’s place in our lives before we got married we both agreed that we would never force each other’s religion on the other and that we would also respect each other’s religions and continue to learn and educate each other on the values that our religions teach. This piece of art was very special to us. Arabic is the preferred script and language that Islam is taught in. In this work of art, the Hindu deity, Ganesha is created with Arabic calligraphy and the words read “Jai Shri Ganesha”. Ganesha represents wisdom and is the remover of obstacles in Hinduism. His origin story also teaches people that we need to put aside our individual ego and replace it with universal ego. This means that we must think beyond selfish needs and encourage actions that will benefit not only ourselves, but the universe as a whole. We display this art to remind us to remain humble and to welcome education and wisdom into our lives. —Aaliya
“Please keep doing what you are doing! God knows we need this kindness to spread faster than any virus! ”
“Thank you for your beautiful designs, bridging between both Sanskrit and Arabic in a positive way”
“Your work is pretty incredible. Love what you’re doing for Unity too. I’m sick of the divide and your work is not only refreshing but necessary! ”
“Your work is an inspiration! Especially the “melding together” of IhsanIshan (Allah/Shiva)! We pray the tolerance you display in teaching through art will one day become a global reality”
TRADITION MEETS MODERN
TRADITIONAL ARABIC CALLIGRAPHY WITH MODERN TOUCHES
QUALITY
PRINTED ON HIGH QUALITY FABRICS AND MATERIALS
UNIQUE STORIES
MEANINGFUL CONCEPT BEHIND EVERY PIECE TO LEAD TO UNDERSTANDING
CHARITY
EVERY PURCHASE HELPS SUPPORT
A CHARITY
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