S2 Ep1: S2E1 - Creative endeavor and clinical execution ft. With Love Madras (Ashna Lulla and Vignesh Sivakumar)

My guests on the show are Ashna Lulla, writer of the book 'With Love Madras', and Vignesh Sivakumar, the photographer, and visual storyteller.

One of them is my wife and I was a proud beaming husband after recording the episode :) She absolutely crushed it with this book and so did Vignesh. 

With Love, Madras is a book that takes you on a stunning visual journey through homes across the city that embody the Madras way of life. Their Instagram bio reads - 'Explore Madras, One Home at a time.'

The episode talks about the book - how the idea came into existence; the multiple ups and downs in the journey; their favorite part of the journey; lessons learned, and pitfalls to avoid while publishing a book. They also, on being forced, tell us which home is their favorite and share some golden nuggets for first-time authors ;)

Ashna is an architect by the badge and designer by the heart. You can see a blend of both in her writing. She also is now a contributing writer to the design magazine, Architectural Digest, India. Here are some of her exquisite posts for the magazine. Prior to this, she worked at architecture and design studios, Collective Project, Mancini Design and Khosla Associates among others. 

Vignesh is also an architect and happens to be a genius behind the lens. Humble and clinical with his pictures, Vignesh has an old soul and brings a unique perspective through his camera and the way he views the world.. He has his own website (Chasing Pixels) where you can see his work - Architecture Photographer | Chasing Pixels | Chennai

You can contact Vignesh and Ashna on With Love Madras' Instagram (and go follow for some visually breathtaking content) -https://www.instagram.com/withlovemadras

Most importantly, you can order the book (anywhere in India) on With Love Madras (www.withlovemadras.com). 

Timestamps are below if you want to skip to any specific question.

I had a blast recording this. 

Please enjoy. :) 

Timestamps: 

00.01 - Intro - Music + Intro (Ashwin)
2.10 - Tell me about your early childhood and how that has influenced you and the person you have become 
2.15 - Vignesh 

6.15 - Origin of the idea
6.18 - Ashna 

9.00 - What do you mean by giving Chennai a seat on the table
9.04 - Vignesh 

9.50 - How long did it take you to write the entire book?
9.53 - Ashna 
13.00 - Vignesh 
 
15.15 - Hardest part of the book?
15.30 - Vignesh 
16.04 - Ashna 
19.21- Vignesh  
 
20.50 - Favourite part of the book journey
20.02 - Ashna
23.30- Vignesh 
 
24.27 - Process of interviewing and shooting a home
27.40 - Vignesh  
27.30 - Ashna 
30.47 - Vignesh 
 
31.37 - Favorite home
31.44 - Ashna 
35.50 - Vignesh 
 
36.00 - Advice to someone who for a first-time book writer
36.17 - Ashna
 37.17  - Vignesh 

___________________________________

Show notes:

1. Madras 
2. Architectural Digest  
3. Elle Décor 
4. People mentioned: Renuka Vasan (Editor); Indira Reddy (Ashna's friend)