Vana means Forest or Woodlands in Sanskrit and is the name of my pottery studio based in Sheffield, UK.

I grew up in Chennai, India and the traditional stone sculptors in Mahabalipuram and potters in Auroville along the beautiful Coramandel coastline, have always intrigued and inspired me.

I have an MBA in international business with an emphasis in marketing from Oklahoma in the USA and have worked in varied corporate environments in Europe, USA, UAE  and India.

I have always been an active tennis player and coached players of all abilities. I stumbled upon pottery after a back injury in 2019 when I enrolled on a course at ‘The Arthouse’ in Sheffield and am now passionate and committed to it. The pottery community has been extremely helpful and encouraged me to branch out as an entrepreneur and guided me while I set up my home studio near the tranquil Peak District.

My work has rustic tones and draws from the rich diversity of nature.  I can relate to the Wabi-Sabi Japanese aesthetic which incorporates asymmetry, ruggedness, simplicity, austerity and appreciation of natural processes and products.

I am a member of the Northern Potters Association who have been supportive throughout my journey.